Humane Happenings Week of March 8,2015

by Eliana Aubin

Annual Board of Directors Meeting

 Lately, several local residents and our Sierra County Humane Society (SCHS) long-time members and supporters have inquired about the current status of the SCHS PET PANTRY. Because of a new situation beyond our control, The SCHS PET PANTRY had to officially close its doors – until further notice - as of January of this year. The much-needed program was initiated in 2010, mostly thanks to the generosity of the local Walmart store that had just opened its doors in TorC. Since 2010 and until the end of 2014, Walmart had very generously donated to our non-profit 501-c-3 animal welfare organization some of the store’s most damaged bags and containers of pet food and kitty litter. Because of Walmart generosity over the past several years, our animal welfare organization was able to feed – and therefore rescue - even more animals-in-need than we had before. Also because of Walmart generosity, we opened-up the SCHS PET PANTRY in 2010. This in turn provided dog and cat food to residents-most-in-need as well as to folks we could reach who were part of local Homeless Community and who shared their lives with a beloved furry companion.

This January, we were informed by Walmart that its donation policy to local 501-c-3 non-profit organizations had changed. Consequently, the Walmart store’s contributions of damaged bags and containers of pet food to our animal welfare organization & Desert Haven Animal Refuge has now been reduced to a trickle - a trickle we still very much appreciate, value - and need. We continue to be grateful that the local Walmart store is keeping our non-profit animal welfare organization on its donation list. However, our current budget constraints no longer allow us to keep the SCHS PET PANTRY program going. We must now concentrate on the welfare and well-being of all the little rescues at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. They are our main focus as we continue to feed and provide for them until they are adopted out or to the end of their natural life.

This week’s wish list: several 15 gallons galvanized washtubs. During the warm weather, they not only provide fresh water for our resident dogs, but they are also some of the most practical and easy-to-handle “lounging” pools we can provide for their play yards.

We also need dog treats - canned dog food – canned cat food - Bird seeds - sunflower seeds -

Dog walkers at Desert Haven.

Write to us at P0B 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942. Contact us at weR4pets@gmail.com 575-894-2639. Share your comments with us at www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, www.Facebook/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe. Visit us at at:www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.