by  Jim Seery of Michigan

Jim Seery, hard at work at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe, major fund raiser for Desert Haven Animal refuge

 2013 was my third year in a row work-camping at Desert Haven.

My third time was a charm! I had left my home state of Michigan in my motor-home for the third winter heading out to Desert Haven Animal Refuge in Williamsburg, Southern New Mexico where I work-camp.

Along with about nine fellow work-campers, some of them couples, we took care of the dogs, cats, birds, chickens, guinea pigs and peacocks. We also kept up with the grounds and with some small maintenance on the property. Some of us helped out at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe as part of our assignments. The shop is located in town and its profits go directly into the operation of the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge.

Seems like a lot of work, but not really. It’s just a few hours a week. When on the schedule for animal care on any day of the week, it’s about three hours in the morning and one in the afternoon. So, even on our work days, that leaves plenty of time to take in the local sites, which include my favorite: soaking in the natural -and very affordable - hot springs.

The small town of Truth or Consequences is just a few miles away and you can save at Wal-Mart, eat at some fine restaurants or take in a movie at El Cortez theater. If you enjoy fishing or water sports, there is the Rio Grande nearby and also two lakes - Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes - only a few miles away. The entire area is full of history, mostly the Old West with its ghost towns and frontier forts, but also prehistoric American Indian. Hiking and gem hunting are popular outdoor activities in this area. As far as the weather is concerned, it can’t be beat.

Please feel free to contact me for any further information that you believe may be helpful to you.

Jim Seery

248-880-0574

polarjim@yahoo.com

Week of 1/27/13 Humane Happenings

Glass garden at Desert Haven Animal Refuge

by Eliana Aubin

When the property that is now Desert Haven Animal Refuge today was purchased thirteen years ago, it was to build a small no-kill sanctuary for Sierra County companion animals down-on-their luck. Once re-adjusted and happy again, they would be given a new forever home or live the rest of their natural life in the safe and loving environment they all deserved. We are now 13 years later and the objective has been achieved. The five acre property is a comfortable home for all its residents. It’s also a pleasant environment for those who care for the little rescues and an inviting destination for visitors and potential adopters. Built as an Old West little town overlooking the Caballo Mountains and the Rio Grande Corridor below, the sanctuary has a unique charm that enhances the atmosphere of peace and serenity that many visitors appreciate.

Several years ago, the DHAR team decided to create inside the sanctuary grounds a peaceful and relaxing outdoor area, to be enjoyed by those who came to visit or help care for the furry and feather residents. The area was cleared and slowly developed as the beautiful glass garden that it is now becoming.

A brightly decorated bottle tree stands tall in the center of the garden. Comfortable benches allow visitors to watch the New Mexico sun shine through the myriads of colored glass structures and colorful bottles as the day goes by. Laura is currently transforming the glass garden into a true work-of-art.

Mike & Laura with Elaina at our Christmas party

 Laura and her husband Mike recently relocated to the sanctuary from Michigan. Both are hard workers with talents and skills and also the energy and personality to match. Each glass sculpture that Laura creates is unique and adds to the soothing atmosphere of serenity at Desert Haven. We are collecting glass bottles and items of all sizes and colors. With plenty of material to choose from, Laura is creating a beautiful environment that can only add to the sanctuary’s spiritual atmosphere. You can help by bringing colorful glass bottles and other glass items to Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe from Wed through Saturday, 11 AM to 4 PM. You can also drop them off at Desert Haven on Tuesdays, when the no-kill sanctuary is open to the public.

Contact us at 894-1694 or weR4pets@gmail.com . Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 1/20/13 Humane Happenings

 by Eliana Aubin 

I'm ready for a walk, Tina!

The Sierra County Humane Society is a non-profit 501-C-3 animal welfare organization dedicated to protecting and improving the lives of companion animals down-on-their-luck. As a community minded organization, the SCHS offers several programs for the residents of Sierra County, one of which is the Adopt-a-Pet Referral program. It allows a Sierra County pet owner who can no longer care for that pet to give him every chance possible at a loving new home, whether it is local or out-of-the area. Contact us at 575-894-1694 or e-mail us at AdoptApet4life@gmail.com for more information. Through the Adopt-a-Pet Referral Program, the SCHS offers free referral services to anyone interested in adopting a favorite type of dog or cat and willing to adopt directly from the animal’s owner.

Volunteer opportunities are available year around within our organization. Would you like to get involved in some way? Let us know! We need dog walkers and cat aficionados at the sanctuary. You like birds? Let us know! We can use your help in Birdland. Morning Animal Care starts at 8 AM each morning.

Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe keeps Desert Haven Animal Refuge in operation. We are open from 11 am to 4 pm, Wednesday through Saturday every week. We need helpers every business day. We also need someone to handle the Arts & Crafts section.

This week’s wish list: Bird and sunflower seeds - Large plastic containers that we can use to keep a constant supply of fresh water in Dog Town and the Cool Cat Neighborhood. The tick season is on its way and we are preparing a tick repellent treatment program for the residents of DogTown. An individual treatment program is costly, as everyone who owns a dog is aware of. Would some of our readers be interested in helping sponsor a dog or two and cover their monthly treatment? Do you have some personal tried-and-true advice to share with us? Let us know.

Contact us at 894-1694 or weR4pets@gmail.com .


Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven