Week of 9/20/09 Humane Happenings

Janelle and Eliana at Paws & Claws Thrift Shop

Two absolutely adorable little dogs have become the newest residents at Desert Haven, the Sierra County Humane Society owned and operated domestic animal sanctuary. They are 18 months old - brother and sister – about 8 lbs each - shiatsu poodle mix. Now groomed, they will soon get their shots and be sterilized. We will be looking for a very special home who will take both of them, as they have been together since birth and are very attached to each other.

Our animal welfare organization wish to thank a mystery benefactor: often, a $$$ deposits shows up into the Sierra County Humane Society account at Sierra Feed in T or C. Since we can’t thank that special individual by name, we want to express our gratitude through the media for her wonderful generosity which allows us to purchase needed feed for the furry and feathered residents of Birdland & Animal House. Women of the Moose, your generous response to our organization’s yearly request for donations to go towards specific needs at Desert Haven is also very appreciated.

This week, we wish to congratulate the “unsung heroes” of Paws & Claws thrift shop: its dedicated volunteers. These folks are special: all of them donate their time, from Manager Eliana Aubin to Diana Bellack who sorts and prices all sewing and craft material from her home and to Jan Haley who serves as the liaison between her and P&C, 35 miles away. Everyone works together for a very honorable cause: help run a very busy shop, all the profits of which benefit the animals of Sierra County and the entire community.

Even the customers are making comments: Last Friday, a local shopper told the volunteers that someone relatively new to town had recently come to his place of business, mentioning having stumbled across P&C thrift shop by accident some Friday, as she was checking out the local stores in T or C. She told him “ Everyone is joking and smiling and so helpful, it’s a great atmosphere”. (Janelle Clasen, Ellen Farrester AKA Bootz, John Jamiesen, Linda Clayton, Diana Rivera, Bill Gwynn and Eliana Aubin are the Friday crew). The gentleman added: ”I usually go directly to the book section - so many interesting books in there, and good prices too!” (Dolly Loftus prices the books and keeps the book-nook well organized and inviting). The newcomer to town had also mentioned the great selection of designer clothes and their “very decent” prices (Estella Groff, Linda Clayton, Janelle Clasen and Diana Rivera handle the clothes and shoes section and Freddie Loveless prices them.)

Not mentioned here but just as valuable to the smooth running of the shop are: Jody Koch, who continues to be an inspiration to all of us who know her, as she does not let her confinement to a wheel chair keep her from volunteering. Jody is the wife of Reverend Frank Koch and she is also raising two boys.

P&C also acknowledges Stephen Wagner and Bill Gwynn who sort, check and price the electronics and electrical appliances, a section they took on recently and completely revamped. Last but not least, our Stand-by cashier member: Joy Arnold, and Spencer who helps wherever needed and when he is in the area.

This week’s wish list: Dog and cat treats ( no rawhide please) - Metal garbage cans, any size. Volunteers interested in getting their “Puppy Fix” for a couple of hours each week ( or more often if they prefer) are needed to help walk the small dogs at Dog Town. Animal care starts at 8 am and until 10AM, and also at 5:30 PM. For more information, contact Animal Care Coordinator Reba at 423-243-6530.

For more information on our organization, contact us at 894-2778,visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, or at www.Facebook.com.

Cedar Cove RV Park Newletter

Desert Haven was honored with a feature in the September issue of the Cedar Cove RV Park newsletter. On page 6, read "Cheryl's Corner" and the story of Parker, a dog who found his forever home through residents of Cedar Cove and Desert Haven. There's a great photo of blue-eyed Parker too!

Thank you Bev & Bob! And thank you, Cheryl, for sharing this heart-warming story with your readers!

Week of 9/9/09 Humane Happenings

Sprinkles with her new family and her new home!


Desert Haven Animal Refuge, owned and operated by the Sierra County Humane Society, is home to 22 dogs at this time. It is the largest number of furry residents at Dog Town for many months. They come in all sizes and temperaments and each one knows that he or she is very important to all of us who care for them. With all these fur-balls living at DHAR at this time, there is a good selection for potential adopters and pet-sponsors to choose from.

The newly arrived doggie-troups consist of 10 lbs, one year old rat-terrier with personality we call Tootsie. Now comes 7 lbs one year old miniature black poodle mix: Obie. We also have 5 years old fox-terrier Oscar who learned a lot of good manners along the way. Little Maggie is a 5 lbs, 2 years old tiny Chihuahua, who not long ago, was found dehydrated and starved on someone’s doorsteps. This little tea cup size Ball o’ Fur was recently brought to DHAR and we felt so sorry for her that we took her in, even though we were full to capacity at that time. After all, what could another 5 lbs of fur-ball add to our already full Dog Town and Inn at this time? Lots of smiles and good feelings, that’s for sure. Now comes Bubba, the dashound ( mom) Chihuahua ( dad).. If you love little dogs, we have plenty at Dog Town to make you smile and warm your heart.

At Desert Haven, we are very careful when we adopt out any of our dogs and cats. We screen the household, and when there is a potential adoption taking place locally, we make visits, before and after the adoption is finalized. After all, each one of the little furry guys and girls is a beloved fur-ball of ours, and we want to make sure that the little one goes to a very special forever home. If, after a few days, weeks, even months, the adoption is not what it was planned to be, Desert Haven always leaves its doors open for the little one to be returned - no questions asked.

Then there is Luke, the newest of the fur-ball group. He now lives in the Cool Cat Neighborhood, “The Neighborhood “, for short. He is a cuddly one year old Siamese mix Kitty-With-Spunk. Little Luke had to have spunk and a strong will to live to make his mark in a world that shuns handicapped animals. Luke will soon undergo an operation, courtesy of the Sierra County Humane Society, to remove a cumbersome back leg that was turned the wrong way as he came out of his mother’s womb. We could not shut our doors on the little guy, so we took him in at Desert Haven.

Visit Desert Haven and see for yourself that all the doggies and kitties have plenty of food, a warm and cozy place to stay, and most of all: LOVE. They have it all, except perhaps a lap to lay on as one watches TV, or a human bed to sleep in during the coldest of the cold winter nights.

This week’s Wish list: doggie and kitty treats, metal garbage cans. Your donations can be dropped off at P&C when we are open for business on Wed from 1 to 4, Thursday and Friday from 10 to 4, also Saturday from 10 to 3PM. For more information on our animal welfare organization, or to volunteer in any capacity, contact us at 575-894-2778. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com or at www.Facebook.com.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” Dr. Martin Luther King.

Week of 8/30/2009 Humane Happenings

Frankie (above) & the Cat Patio (below)


This week, a huge pat on the back goes to Bar- 2 Sand and Gravel. In a phone conversation to DHAR CEO Eliana Aubin, Bar-2 representative - Jerred - told her:”Times are tough, but we love our little animals, and you take good care of them, so we are going to donate two trucks loads of crusher fine”. Both truck loads were distributed to Desert Haven Animal Refuge this past Tuesday, courtesy of Bar-2. Thank-you for your show of trust, Jerred. We will make good use of the crusher fine.

The crew of volunteers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge was busy recently with the summer 2009 newsletter that was sent to the members and supporters of the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. While 300 copies arrived in the mailboxes of Sierra County animal loving folks interested in what we are doing, more than two hundred more copies went to members and supporters from around the US as they continue to follow our progress. Certainly not a bad report card for our animal welfare organization, who does not receive government tax dollars, local or otherwise.

If you have not yet renewed your 2009 membership, please consider doing so now. We continue to need YOUR support. If you received the summer 2009 newsletter in duplicate, please contact us at 740-0715 to help us correct the error. In the meantime, please pass the extra newsletter along to a friend and introduce him or her to Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary.

Carman Delviso, who work camps at Desert Haven, visited the Veterans Home this past week, accompanied by Oreo, one of Desert Haven’s young dogs. Carmen is a veteran who served four years in the Air Force, two of them between 1967 and 1968, while stationed South of Saigon in Viet Nam. He then continued on as a Reservist. The visit was very good and little Oreo seemed to love the attention from the folks who wanted to touch, feel or hold him. Thanks, Carman for taking the time to visit the veterans.

Anyone interested in giving a good home to a Maccaw? Please check us out on Petfinder.com or contact 894-5943 for more information. We have several newcomers at DHAR, little girl and guy-dogs who need a very loving forever home. Call Freddie at 894-2778 to find out more about them. You can also visit Desert Haven on a Tuesday and check on the dogs and cats available for adoption.

This week, Joe Pack added several 4” to 6” wide plastic pipes to the DHAR wish list of insulation, roofing and construction material. Joe Pack and his wife Joy are newcomers to this area who became involved with DHAR soon after settling down in T or C. Joy is DHAR’s Administrative Assistant while Joe Pack works on Tuesday projects. On request and as needed, he also searches the internet for specific information. Joe is currently revamping Miss Piglet’s Boarding House, home to almost two dozens female guinea pigs, and new plastic pipes are being included in the upgrade. It’s great to have you aboard, Joe and Joy.

For more information on the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven, also on Paws & Claws, we can be contacted at 894-2778 or 894-2639. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, or at www.Facebook.com. Saving a life is a beautiful thing – sponsor a pet today.

Week of 8/23/09 Humane Happenings

Scruffy - still in need of a forever home!

The leadership of Moose Lodge 2050 deserves a show of gratitude from all animal loving Sierra County residents for the very generous donation made recently to the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge. When Ron Alleman, Moose Lodge 2050 secretary, handed an envelope to Eliana Aubin, SCHS President and DHAR CEO, who was volunteering at Paws & Claws thrift shop that day, she realized that, this year again, MOOSE Lodge 2050 had come through for the animal welfare organization she has been heading since 1989. After glancing at the amount on the check, she and every volunteer at Paws & Claws thrift shop that afternoon were moved by the Lodge’s generosity. Through the years, Moose Lodge 2050 continues to be very generous to good-will projects and local non-profit causes such as the Sierra County Humane Society. A heartfelt “Thank-you” is in order to every Moose Lodge member and leader involved in contributing to our cause this year.

Skip Higgins and Oreo recently visited animal loving residents at the Veterans Home last Friday. Oreo is one of the last of Scruffy's puppies residing at Dog Town. Little Scruffy was rescued at DHAR several months ago, starving and also very much pregnant. The Veterans Home visit went so well that Skip has been asked to return every week with a companion animal from DHAR.

This week’s kudos go to Mary Cwerenz of Winston for the substantial donation of dog food for DHAR that she recently dropped off at Paws & Claws thrift shop. Kudos are also due to Jan Haley of Hillsboro who not only regularly contributes time and money to our cause, but she and two friends, Steve and Becky, also volunteer with animal care at DHAR one morning a week. Jan recently accepted to become the new liaison between P&C thrift shop and Diana Bellack who lives on the other side of Hillsboro. Since the thrift shop moved last year to more spacious quarters across the alley from Family Dollar in T or C, Diana tags and prices all the craft and sewing items for sale at Paws&Claws thrift shop. This very nice lady takes a lot of pride in lovingly preparing them for display in the shop’s craft section.

Welcome back, Diana Rivera, from your long well deserved R & R ( Rest & Recuperation). After over 5 years of faithful volunteer service at P&C thrift shop, your friendly face and pleasant personality have been very much missed at the shop the past few months. Great to have you back!

This week, a very special thank-you goes to the entire Friday Paws&Claws crew. While some handled the more-than-usual number of incoming donations, others cleaned-up and revamped the storage and work area reserved for small appliances and electronics. Great job, Crew! Bill Guynn of TorC is now ready to take charge of the electronic and small appliance section at the shop. We continue to need volunteers willing and able to give at least two hours at P&C thrift shop, to help sort and tag donated clothing and other items. We can be contacted at 894-2778 or 894-2639. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, or at www.Facebook.com.






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Eliana Aubin
www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com