Week of 8/11/13 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Sharon and her dad, Bill

Desert Haven Animal Refuge got hammered by the recent major electrical storm from a couple of weeks ago. Not only several walking trails and driveways around the property were transformed into destructive mountain rapids for a while, but our entire WI-FI service also took a major hit. We believe that it is the ESC (electrostatic discharge) caused by the lightening during the major electrical storm from a couple of weeks ago that took everything out, in the DHAR office and also in the entire RV campground. We had everything in protected power supplies. We also had a main antenna with a lightening arrestor, but it was clearly no match for that storm. From the response we received from Windstream, our rural area is obviously low on their list. Until the company upgrades its lines, rural WI-FI users like Desert Haven are on their own with many of their WI-FI problems.

Sharon Stoffel and her dad, Bill, have been the WI-FI experts at DHAR for several years now. They were called to the rescue and came through for us, once again. Sharon lives in Albuquerque and works at Sandia Labs. Bill divides his time between Albuquerque and Elephant Butte. Both worked – totally on a volunteer basis - on the WI-FI until it was back up again. Thanks a million, guys! Also thank-you, Mike Wowianko, (Desert Haven General Operations Coordinator) for making yourself available and working with them until our WI-FI got back on track.

This week’s wish list: Dog treats for our small to large canines. Last year, our pleas for dog treats and canned dog food were answered by our generous Desert Haven long-time supporters from Victoria Texas. We completely ran out of dog treats last month. We hope that some of our animal loving friends will help replenish our supply. Our fur-kids love their treats. At this time of the year, we need volunteer help both at Desert Haven and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe. We can be contacted at 575-894-2639 and at weR4pets@gmail.com. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, Visit us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and www.facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 7/29/13 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Shaggy and buddies waiting for Frank to race to the pick up point

The Mighty Mutts of Pedigree Alley who currently reside at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, have something very special to be thankful for these days: they all have made good friends with Frank and his two gorgeous and very well mannered Dobermans, Jessie and Billie-Jo. Frank and his canine family have resided at Desert Haven Animal Refuge since early this spring. Frank keeps his own fur-kids in top physical shape, and he does it in a special way that both “boys”, as he calls them with tenderness, look forward to every day. And now, they have company!

Jesse and Foxie Girl at the river

Frank recently started a routine of picking-up each morning, in his tough old jeep that has served him very well, a couple of the larger DHAR dogs. Picture this: four large dogs – all of them very excited in sheer anticipation of what fun lies ahead – riding all together in the back of a jeep that has had to be made a dog-worthy transport.

Soon after daylight each day, two lucky Desert Haven dogs are selected to load up in the transport and head for the river, where a good time will be had by all. Not so much for Frank, because he is the designated driver, but the rest of the gang is in for a river run! And that’s just the beginning! After a delightful swim, some running around together, some checking-out all the delightful scents at the river’s edge, time comes to pack it up! And here is the routine: Frank gives the signal, the “kids” gather for an all-out sprint on the primitive trail all the way to the pick-up point two miles down the road. One takes the lead. The others follow, tails wagging! The race has begun. Dashing ahead of the jeep, they leave poor Frank in the dust. At the pick-up point, everybody loads-up into the transport and heads for home.

Scruffy loves every minute of this river adventure

Back home at Desert Haven, all the canines, their heads full of the exciting memories of the morning, are now ready for breakfast. It’s waiting for them as they come in. Then it's nap-time. Thank-you, Frank! Today is a good day to be a dog at Desert Haven!

Humane Happenings Week of 7/7/13

by Eliana Aubin

Lucy enjoying a walk with Lurvie

These last few days were very special for the volunteer team at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. It was also a huge milestone for Lucy, the young Australian cattle dog who has called Desert Haven her home since the fall of 2011. Lucy was still a puppy when abandoned in the desert in the spring of 2010. Against all odds, Lucy survived in the wild and even lived through the harsh winter of 2010. The Good Samaritan who along the way had become aware of her fleeting presence around his week-end property was finally able to trap her before her second winter in the wild. Lucy was transported to Desert Haven Animal Refuge inside a wire trap - a traumatized, skinny little girl-dog who no-longer trusted the human race.

A resident of Dogtown for the past two years, Lucy has been one of the no-kill sanctuary’s special-needs fur-kids. It took patience and love to help our little one slowly re-gain her trust of humans and finally become the wonderful dog she was always meant to be. Last week, Lucy took her milestone ride to the local veterinary clinic to get sterilized. We know that our friends fully appreciate Lucy’s story. We know that they, too, understand how crucial Lucy’s successful rehabilitation is to all of us who care for her and love her as our own.

 Lucy is another success story at Desert Haven. This little gal represents what the sanctuary is all about. We pick-up the pieces of shattered little lives and through care, patience and love, we put them back together to give them a new chance at the life they deserve. With the on-going support of our animal loving friends, we can “be the change in the world we want to see”.

Visit Desert Haven on a Tuesday or call or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com 575-894-1694 for an appointment. Check out our Petfinder page at www.petfinder.com. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, www.facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven

Week of 5/26/13 Humane Happenings

Chaco

The City of TorC recently held its first Annual Spring Dog Fair. From the number of dogs attending and the comments heard, it was an obvious success! The Mayor of TorC was available throughout the event, meeting with folks interested in discussing animal welfare issues and in the current Animal Control Ordinance. Our Sierra County Humane Society booth was also well attended. Thank you, everyone, for helping make this event the success that it was.

From comments heard at the Dog Fair and elsewhere in town recently, there is obviously some confusion regarding the Sierra County Humane Society Spay-a-Stray program versus the Trap-Neuter-Return Program (T-N-R) that is erroneously mentioned as a locally unknown program.

The SCHS Spay-a-Stray program and Trap-Neuter-Return program are one and the same. Our hard-working non-profit animal welfare organization took the lead and implemented the program in Sierra County in the mid-90’s – about 20 years ago. The SCHS Spay-a-Stray program – as we call it locally - was tailored from the then-very-new T-N-R program advocated by the national organization “Alley Cats Allies”. Alley Cats Allies is dedicated to advocating humane and non-lethal methods of reducing cat population in response to Animal Control’s known tradition of a policy of systematic extermination. Killing stay and feral cats at Taxpayers expense does not effectively control cat population growth. It is also very costly.

Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe generates the funds to cover the costs of the program locally. For more information on the program nationwide, visit www.alleycat.org. Interested in helping us keep the program available in Sierra County? Donate through our Paypal account on our web site at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com . You can also send your tax-deductible contribution to: The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942.

This week’s wish list: someone to help our DHAR office team for a couple of hours on Tuesday. Volunteers at Paws&Claws - Call 575-894-2639 or 894-1694. Transparent plastic bags - we re-use them at P&C to display small and large items, blankets, afghans, etc. Disposable gloves and cleaning supplies. Chat with us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and www.Facebook.com/PawsnClawsthriftshoppe.

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

Week of 1/7/13 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Our Christmas party 

 This week, the Sierra County Humane Society volunteer staff wishes to gratefully acknowledge all the thoughtful folks who, during the Christmas Holidays, remembered with their generous contributions the furry and feathered residents of Desert Haven Animal Refuge. The no-kill sanctuary is owned and operated by the 501-C-3 non-profit animal welfare organization.

A special thank you goes to the anonymous individuals who, around Christmas Day, dropped-off at the gated entrance several large boxes of pet food, treats and brand new pet toys and accessories. Soon after, Lois and CW Wrede of Elephant Butte drove up with a car full of dog and cat treats, also carpets, towels and other items on behalf of the Roadrunners Women’s Golf Association. That same day, Mary Roden and Sel Bethel delivered to the Cool Cat Neighborhood a car trunk full of much needed canned cat food and treats. We could not do what we do to help local animals in need year ‘round without all of supporters from all over!

The local Humane Society volunteer staff continues to work hard to raise money for the cause. We collect Aluminum cans. We also collect Bullocks receipts that SCHS member Josephine tallies and redeems for our organization. Bullocks Grocery Store donates to our non-profit 501-C-3 organization $2 per thousand dollars that we collect.

Window at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe

Comments recently made by our TorC mayor are worth sharing with our readers. At the close of a meeting with a SCHS representative, his comments echoes what many local Paws&Claws shoppers are saying:”The volunteers at P&C Thrift Shoppe are very customer service oriented. No matter what day I shop there, a volunteer says “Hi” with a smile and offers to help me find what I want. I always feel welcome in your store.”

Our team of volunteers very much appreciates all the positive comments that we hear about Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, including the strong customer service that we make a point to provide. Contact us at weR4pets@gmail.com or 575-894-1694. Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 1/1/13 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Tina and furry friends

 The year 2012 has been a very interesting year for the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary owned and operated by the 501-C-3 non-profit organization.

Welcome back to Desert Haven, Jim and Sparky! Jim is a work camper and his home base is Michigan. This is the third winter in a row that Jim helps out at DHAR and it’s great to know that he decided to return this year. Aside from being versatile, both at DHAR and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, Jim is also an aficionado of the local hot springs and he enjoys TorC cuisine offered by our local restaurants. His fur-kid Sparky is a former sanctuary resident adopted before Jim moved on last spring. Jim is rejoining us at a time when we have one of the best quality teams DHAR has ever had.

Tina is from Oregon. She is DHAR Animal Care & Adoptions Coordinator. She also handles the organization’s Adopt-a-Pet Referral program. Her management skills and leadership abilities benefit greatly the daily operation of the sanctuary.

Sharon, together with her canine family, came last summer all the way from Maine, to fill the DHAR Caretaker’s position. As part of her many responsibilities, she oversees our beautiful Rainbow Bridge Pet Cemetery. Charlie & Elaine arrived late summer. Both are military retirees. This energetic and very pleasant couple brings to DHAR exceptionally strong work ethics and a genuine desire to make a difference. Mike & Laura read about Desert Haven on Facebook. Both bring with them many sought-after hands-on skills and the willingness to share them for the good of the cause. They are a perfect fit for the quality of the team members we already have at the sanctuary. With Lurvie & Eileen who recently arrived from Illinois, our DHAR team is complete.

Thanks to the quality of people which we always hope for but don’t always find, DHAR and the animal welfare organization that it represents are stronger than ever before, and 2013 can only be even more focused on helping Sierra County companion animals down-on-their-luck.

Contact us at weR4pets@gmail.com or 575-894-1694. Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 12/16/12 Humane Happenings

 by Eliana Aubin

Vickie and Rosie getting extra attention from Tina and Eliana

Several weeks ago, the Sierra County Humane Society made a list of items that are routinely very much needed at Desert Haven, such as but not limited to large bottles of Clorox bleach, OdorBan, dishwashing liquid and hand sanitizer, also cement floor brushes and squeegees, water buckets and mops and, as importantly, sturdy pooper scoopers. Small area rugs, bed pillows, also carpet remnants and sturdy utility knives to cut them into smaller sizes are always on our list of priority items during the winter months. With store-bought heavy duty plastic doggie-door flaps out of our budget range, our resourceful volunteers use specific types of material such as used rubber mats or mud-flaps, old rubber-backed rugs, well-worn thermo-insulating door curtains, heavy-duty plastic sheets to make easy-to use and easy-on-our budget doggie-door flaps for the indoor-outdoor kennels and dog houses in Dogtown.

Our animal loving friends from all over responded quickly. The past couple of weeks especially, we have received boxes and bags of needed cleaning supply from as far away as California and Florida. People from Ruidoso, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City, also folks from Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah, have helped fill our sanctuary’s wish list this Christmas.

Our local friends became actively involved as well. This past Tuesday, members of the Roadrunner Golf Association dropped-off at the sanctuary several bags of much needed bird seeds and various types of items and also bedding material. It was a good feeling for the sanctuary volunteers to see firsthand how our local community continues to help the cause of companion animals in one way or another.

A warm thank you goes to Desert Haven’s special guardian angels from Texas. This wonderful couple not only remembered our little rescues at this time of the year, but also the good-hearted volunteers who care for them every day. Last Tuesday, our team opened up a huge box of delicious home-baked goodies to share during our morning break and again all through the day. The kindness and generosity of so many people from all over reminds all of us here at Desert Haven that, when Darkness and Chaos sometimes seems to prevail in our world, there always seem to shine a few special stars who rekindle our Faith in Humanity.

Contact us at weR4pets@gmail.com or 575-894-1694. Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge, and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 12/2/12 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

"Share the blessing"

 Recently, several Sierra County Humane Society volunteers have been asked on several occasions to compile a list of items routinely needed both at Desert Haven Animal Refuge (DHAR) and at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe (P&C). So, thanking our readers in advance, here it is: canned cat food, catnip and cat treats – dishwashing liquid, bottles of bleach and Odor-ban, paper towels, sturdy water buckets, long and short handle scrubbing brushes, indoor-outdoor brooms, leaf& straw rakes, also large kitchen trash bags and black garbage bags. We also use large plastic containers with or without lids, both at P&C and DHAR.

 At Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, we always need transparent plastic bags. We use them routinely at P&C to display items for sale such as large comforters, lap robes, handmade afghans, complete sets of sheets, etc. to very small items or groups of small items such as arts and crafts and sewing materials and more. The large transparent bags keep the items they protect clean and presentable. They don’t even not need to be in perfect condition to serve their purpose.

 Your tax-deductible contributions to our 501-C-3 non-profit organization can be brought to Desert Haven on a Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM, or dropped-off at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe during business hours - from Wed through Sat between 11 AM and 4PM. Donations of your no-longer-wanted pieces of furniture are gratefully accepted as they bring much-needed funds to help Sierra County companion animals in need. We can also be contacted for an occasional pick-up of your large items and furniture pieces.

Interested in helping us help animals in some way? We need dog walkers and kitty cuddlers at DHAR. At P&C, we need a book aficionado to keep our book-nook attractive and in order, also someone interested in crafts and sewing materials who will handle the Arts & Crafts section at the store. Call us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2639, e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com for more information. Visit our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge, and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 11/24/12 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Eliana Aubin, SCHS President

 Thanksgiving has come and gone and the 2012 Holiday Season is in full swing. It is a time of the year to reflect on the positive and to be grateful. The dedicated Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge volunteers are thankful for the many supporters who stood by us through this economically challenging year. Because of its animal loving friends’ trust and on-going generosity, Sierra County’s non-profit animal welfare organization is able to continue its labor of love to help and protect some of the area’s most unfortunate companion animals.

 Moose Lodge 2050, American Legion Post 44, Bullocks Grocery Store, Walmart, Bar-2 Sand & Gravel, BlackRange Enterprises, among several other local businesses, were very generous again this year. Both local newspapers deserve a huge pat on the back for being instrumental in our organization’s ability to reach the residents of Sierra County and also supporters from out-of-the area. A kind and generous couple from the little town of Victoria, Texas donates to our organization in many ways. They cover the costs of several boxes of canned dog food and treats that we receive through FEDEX every month. They also routinely send boxes of their CDs and DVDs for our volunteers to sell at P&C. The lady also keeps P&C Thrift Shoppe supplied with all the handmade labels used for pricing the items on display. She is a former Desert Haven work-camper who, together with her husband, wishes to remain anonymous. Among several other supporters, former Sierra County Director of Tourism Gina Kelly, now a resident of Ruidoso, sends our organization a generous pledge every month.

Thanks a million to each and every one of you, either local or from out-of-the area, who helps and supports us in your very own way.

This week’s wish list: someone with the equipment and time to transfer data from 3 ½ inch floppy disks to CDs. We can’t use the crucial information until we have it on CDs.

Interested in helping us help animals in some way? Contact us at 575-894-1694 or weR4pets@gmail.com. Visit us at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.