Week of 11/1/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

It was great to see Ginny Nylen at Desert Haven Animal Refuge recently. Ginny, a resident of Hawaii, is a wonderful friend of the No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary. Several years ago, while work camping at a local RV park, she visited the sanctuary for the first time and, realizing that she could be of some help in the office, she made a point to give us a hand every Tuesday. Ginny was in the area again the following year, and once again became an integral part of our DHAR office staff on Tuesdays. Ginny stays connected with our sanctuary and whenever she comes back to the community to visit her friends, she also visits Desert Haven and shares our Tuesday Power Lunch. This time, Ginny brought her friend Betty May, who lives in TorC.

We have a new item on our wish list this week: a heavy duty dolly. We need a strong dolly at the sanctuary to move heavy items and appliances from one location to another. We need one at P&C Thrift Shoppe too, when we receive donated furniture pieces and appliances. Doggie treats for our small dogs are also high on our list. When our supply of dog treats became dangerously low recently, Susan Newman of Animas Creek Nursery came to the rescue. Thanks to her generosity, our large dogs received two huge boxes of dog biscuits, just right for their size. We also have a small army of little dogs and they too would appreciate doggie biscuits especially made for the small breeds. Your donations can be dropped-off at P&C Thrift Shoppe from Wednesday through Saturday between 11 AM and 4 PM, when the shop is open for business. Please do not leave any donated items unattended in front of P&C Thrift Shoppe. There are a few unsavory local folks who make a habit of taking what is not theirs, and they will grab anything left unattended in front of P&C. If you wish, you can also bring your contributions of dog treats (cat treats and catnip too) to Desert Haven on Tuesdays between 9AM and 4PM . Plan on distributing some of them to the resident fur-kids and share their pleasure.

Interested in helping the cause of companion animals in some way? Call us at 575-894-1694 or 813-716-2033 for more information. Our Tuesday Power Lunches have been moved to Noon for the winter months and our visitors are always welcome to share them with us. Check us out at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and chat with us at www.facebook.com/deserthaven and www.facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe

Week of 10/23/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Mary Roden delivering cat food for Desert Haven

Congratulations to Susan Newman for becoming The Sierra County Humane Society’s newest Life Member. Susan owns and operates Animal Creek Plant Nursery and she has been one of our organization strongest and most positive supporters. DiAnna and George Schnetzer of Texas have sent us many boxes of DVDs and CDs over the past few weeks. We sell them at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC and our customers appreciate browsing through our large collection of brand new and almost new DVDs and CDs. P&C is the major fundraiser for our organization and DiAnna and her husband have supported it in many ways over the year. DiAnna also makes all our labels and she sends them to us regularly all the way from her home in Texas. Mary Roden came through again for our Desert Haven feline residents this pastTuesday. When she found out that our kitty cupboards were almost depleted, Mary immediately committed to bring canned food and she was true to her word: she delivered several large boxes of canned cat food which we unloaded gratefully. “I forgot the catnip” she added, “but I will bring it next Tuesday”. What a very special lady!

Fender, Lady and Spirit

The last few weeks have been very busy at Desert Haven. Several small and medium size canines were rescued and are now enjoy a safe and fun life at Dog Town, together with the rest of the residents. During the same time, Desert Haven sent to their new forever home Sally the Australian Shepherd, Cinder the little terrier, Fender and Lady Bug, two Coker Spaniels who were together since they were puppies. They all will be living in local homes. Fender and Lady Bug will be the new buddies of Spirit, a Desert Haven rescue adopted out several years ago. He now resides in Hillsboro with his mom.

On Sunday October 30th from 2-4 we are holding our first ever Adoption Option at Walmart in T or C. Interested in participating? Let us know. Desert Haven and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe offer many volunteer opportunities for service oriented people who want to help the cause of domestic animals down-on-their-luck. Contact us at 575-894-1694 for more information.

Check out our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our Facebook pages, www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and www.Facebook.com/PawsnClawsThriftShoppe

Week of 10/16/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Sharon and Bill Stoffels

Sharon Stoffels of Albuquerque and her father Bill are very special people to everyone who resides at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary in Sierra County. Sharon works at Sandia labs and Bill, retired for some years now, spends his leisure time between Albuquerque and Sierra County.

During the summer, the WI-FI inside the main building and the DHAR campground failed to perform as needed. The situation gave a lot of concern to all of us at Desert Haven, especially since having internet is crucial to our office work as well as to the work campers who come from all over the US sometimes for months at a time, to trade their time and energy for a FHU RV site. In one of our weekly Humane Happenings articles, our readers were informed of our difficulties and they were asked for assistance in correcting a very frustrating and costly situation.

Sharon and Bill Stoffels came to the rescue. It took both of them many hours during many week-ends to troubleshoot and make the necessary repairs and upgrades. Sharon’s brother-in-Law, through the company that employs him, generously donated over five hundred feet of RCA cable that Bill installed at the sanctuary. When the WI-FI situation was finally corrected, Desert Haven had also received from Sharon Stoffels and her father a couple of new antennas and router boxes, also a brand new hard drive and a printer for the existing office computer. This professional lady and her father are indeed very special to all the volunteers involved in some way with the Desert Haven operation.

This week, a special recognition is in order for Susan Newman, owner of Animas Creek Plant Nursery. Desert Haven received this past week two very large boxes of dog biscuits for the residents of Dog Town. They were sent by a nationally known mail order company and paid for by Susan. Those specific treats are great for our dogs morale and also for their teeth, and they are usually high on our priority wish list. Our DHAR dog treat supply always seem to be very low.

Interested in getting involved with individuals of kindred spirit in your local humane society and its no-kill domestic animal sanctuary? Desert Haven and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe offer volunteer opportunities you may wish to investigate. We also have a newly-vacant position on the Board of Directors. Call us at 575-894-1694, 813-716-2033 or 894-2639 for more information. Desert Haven is open for visitors every Tuesday. Our Tuesday Pot Luck Power Lunch has been moved to 12 - Noon for the winter months and our visitors are always welcome to share it with us. Check out our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our Facebook pages, www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and www.Facebook.com/Paws&ClawsThriftShoppe

Week of 10/10/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

  Gene Trelewicz has been a household name at Desert Haven Animal Refuge for many years now. A long time volunteer at the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, Gene was known to help out whenever needed in order to keep the tools we used there in a good state or repair. Gene, a retired electrical engineer, was truly amazing in what he could do with his talents and his skills and Desert Haven gave him the opportunity to use them over and over again and in a very productive way.

Gene and Mary had moved to this area from New Jersey over 17 years ago. Along with their household goods, Gene also moved an entire workshop, including some heavy machinery that he set up inside his new home shop. Gene found great pleasure at repairing tools and building things. When he realized that Desert Haven could use his skills, he decided to come on board. Being involved at the small sanctuary was healthy and it was also gratifying for Gene. After Mary, his high-school sweetheart and wife of many years passed away in 1997, Gene stayed involved at the sanctuary. He also had good friends there, friends who cared about him.

Gene passed away earlier this year – not in his own home, the home he and Mary had built together some years ago, but in a new place in a new town – Houston Texas - far from his old friends, far from his home with his machine shop.

To honor a decent man who always made himself available to help his fellow man, either around his neighborhood or in the community, Desert Haven now has a large wooden plaque hung above the door of the Sanctuary’s workshop. On the plaque, one reads: “Gene Trelewicz Memorial workshop”. It is a loving tribute to a good man. Farewell, dear friend.

This winter, we are asking our animal loving friends to please remember that we need the help of Dog Walkers at the sanctuary, during Morning and also Evening Animal Care. Some dogs are walked on a leash around the Desert Haven perimeter. Others are walked to a fenced one-acre area where they can run and exercise off-leash for a while. Interesting in enjoying a walk with a dog or more? Call us at 575-894-1694 or visit Desert Haven on a Tuesday to meet everyone. We always need extra helpers at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe. Interested? Call us at 575-894-2639 or visit P&C between 11 AM and 4 PM, from Wednesday through Saturday. Check out our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our Facebook pages, www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and www.facebookcom/pages/Paws-Claws-Thrift-Shoppe/258790984151651

Week of 10/3/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Volunteers folding newsletters

The Sierra County Humane Society recently sent its 2011 newsletter to members and supporters from all over and we are already receiving some positive feedback. If you love animals and want to help us make a better place for them in our area, renew your membership today. If you believe in our work of love for domestic animals, contribute to our cause today. You can send your donation, large or small, to the Sierra County Humane Society at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM, 87942

Our members contribute towards our on-going work to save unwanted and abused companion animals and give them a new chance at a normal life at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Our members help curb dog and cat overpopulation in Sierra County through both SCHS Spay-Neuter and Spay-a-Stray programs. Our members help fund Humane Education through the Adopt-a-Classroom program that our organization offers every year to local participating elementary classrooms. Our members help us give a voice to neglected and abused defenseless animals.

Animal welfare organizations throughout the US work independently from each other and must raise their own funds in order to provide needed services in their area. Contrary to popular belief, local animal welfare groups receive no financial support from any other organizations, including the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the US. When you donate to any of those larger groups, please also donate to smaller ones as well, such as ours. Be generous with your contribution to the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven. We need you, our members and supporters, to help us continue our work.

Volunteer opportunities are available at both Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC and at Desert Haven Animal Refuge. At the shop, we need help with sorting, tagging and displaying the donated clothing from Wednesday through Saturday between 11 AM to 4 PM, during business hours. Interested in helping us walk our Desert Haven resident dogs? Morning animal care starts at 8 AM every morning and lasts about two hours. Evening Animal Care starts at 5 PM at this time of the year and lasts for less than two hours. Call us at 575-894-1694 or 813-716-2033 for more information or visit us on Tuesday. To adopt a dog or a cat, call for an appointment or visit the sanctuary on a Tuesday, between 8:30AM and 4PM. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our Facebook pages at www.facebook.com/deserthaven  and www.facebook.com/pages/Paws-Claws-Thrift-Shoppe/258790984151651

Week of 9/25/11 Part II Humane Happenings

Sally

Desert Haven rescued five dogs the past couple of weeks. Trina is a three years old Jack Russell whose elderly owner’s health is quickly deteriorating and she can no longer care for her. Fender and Lady are both young adult Cocker Spaniels. Their human companion’s new job requires him to travel extensively. Travis is a playful young terrier mix who loves the company of people and wants to please. 

Sally, born in January 2005, is a very loving and very smart Cattle Dog Blue Heeler mix relinquished by her human folks soon after they watched a pack of coyotes attempt to reach her as she was snoozing the afternoon away inside her own back yard way out in the country. Sally has received obedience training and would make a very faithful and truly enjoyable companion.

Foxy Girl

Foxie Girl is a one year old Boxer. She is a beautiful, fun loving dog who thrives on attention. She is currently sharing the Canine Cottage and its large exercise yard with her playmates Chowder and Vickie, both of them also available for adoption. Desert Haven is currently home to dogs and cats of all sizes and temperaments. All the Desert Haven dogs and cats available for adoption are sterilized and current on their shots. Anyone interested in adoption a dog or a cat is welcome to visit the no-kill sanctuary on a Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Please call us at 575-894-1694 for more information.

This week’s wish list: Pieces of plywood & screws for some of our small construction projects. Bird & Sunflower seeds. Dog treats (no rawhide please). Canned cat food and Catnip for our small army of finicky felines. If any of our readers has left-over construction material, patio blocks, insulation, fencing material, we can use them at the sanctuary. Any donation dropped-off in front of Paws & Claws after business hours is very likely to disappear within the hour if no sooner. Undesirable individuals are quick at picking-up anything donated for our animal welfare organization and Desert Haven, whatever they can sell on their own for a profit.

Interested in becoming involved in The Sierra County Humane Society, Desert Haven Animal Sanctuary or Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe? Contact us at 575-894-1694. Visit our web site at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Chat with us on both our Facebook pages at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Paws-Claws-Thrift-Shoppe/258790984151651.

Week of 9/25/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Mosey is waiting patiently at Desert Haven for her "forever" home!

This week, the volunteer team at Desert Haven was made aware of a situation involving a dog owned by a local individual. The dog – a gentle female Pit Bull - has been bred regularly for profit. Pit Bull pups are sold to the highest bidder in this area of NM. This situation seems to be the norm around here, as far as Pit Bulls are concerned. The ordeal of this specific female dog touched a sensitive cord with the ranks of the sanctuary’s volunteers. This time, the delivery went wrong. The female suffered terribly – an agony that took many, many drawn-out hours. The puppies were dead at birth and the mother is not expected to survive. Of course, no veterinary care for that dog – it would have cut into her owners anticipated profits.

People who love animals feel immense compassion for dogs routinely bred so that their owners can reap a sizeable profit from the sale of their puppies. Back yard Puppy Mills are still alive and well right here in and around our communities. Back yard breeding involving Pit Bulls is even more disturbing. Pit Bulls in this area and perhaps in most areas of the US are generally acquired for all the wrong reasons. The fact that their owners refuse to have these dog sterilized is a unmistakable indication that their reason is obvious and consequently it is very unsettling to decent folks.

Anyone knowing of back yard Pit Bull breeding should contact The Sierra County Humane Society at 575-894-1694 or 894-2639. Please leave a clear message and as much pertinent information as you can, such as the exact address of the breeders, number of adult dogs, etc. You can remain anonymous, but please, if at all possible, leave a number where you can be reached if we cannot find the location ourselves. Sheriff Joe Baca and Tor C Police Chief Gallagher do not condone dog fighting, an illegal activity in all of the US, including New Mexico. The raising of Pit Bulls for dog fight, the back yard breeding of Pit Bulls for profit, so that their off-springs can be sold at a profit to unscrupulous individuals who use the most aggressive ones for fighting and the gentler ones for bait, an abomination. Unfortunately, our area is not immune to this illegal activity.

If you have the use of a computer, please check our Desert Haven Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven for more information. Decent folks who love animals owe it to the innocent victims of Man’s Cruelty to become more aware of their agony as they are bred, raised and sold to be used and ripped apart in dog fights. Some of these activities are kept well hidden but still right under our noses, in our neighborhoods. Vigilance on the part of all decent folks may save some of those animals. All animals deserve better.

Week of 9/17/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

David Kuhn and Lolly

These past couple of weeks, the Sierra County Humane Society 2011 newsletters went out to members and supporters from all over. The on-going generosity and kindness of our members and friends allow us to help and protect homeless pets in our area. We appreciate the dedication of our volunteers, both at Desert Haven and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe. Everyone involved with our organization has contributed to its success over the years. It’s a success that finally gives a voice to the unwanted animals in our corner of the world.

The Sierra County Humane Society was organized in 1989, only after many unsuccessful attempts were made over the years by people wanting to make life a little better for dogs and cats in Sierra County. It took a lot of determination to get our organization started. The road was not easy and full of man-made obstacles. After all, this was still “The Wild West” not that long ago. In 1995, to curb the cat overpopulation in Sierra County, our organization decided to cover the costs of sterilizing stray and feral cats. We called it the Spay-a-Stray program. It was tailored from the Trap-Neuter-Release program initiated by the national organization “Alley Cat Allies”. Surprisingly, several local people with special interests and free time on their hands were not only dead-set against it, but even campaigned against us. They tried to crush our efforts to save stray and feral cats and kittens whose only fault was to be born unwanted, from systematic killing to reduce their population.

Thankfully, times have changed. More cat owners now understand the need to sterilize their companion animal. There is also more compassion towards stray and feral cats and kittens. Feral cats, after all, are the off-springs of un-sterilized female house cats or of cats abandoned by their owners to fend for themselves. Male cats allowed to roam out-of-doors also contribute to the cat overpopulation. Until our organization instated the Spay-a-Stray program, all of these unwanted animals were doomed to die. For more information on the Spay-a-Stray program, contact us at 894-1694.

Volunteer opportunities are always available at both Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC and at Dessert Haven Animal Refuge. Call us at 575-894-2639 or at 813-716-2033 for more information. To adopt a dog or a cat, contact us at 740-9412. Tuesday is Open House Day at the no-kill sanctuary and everyone is welcome to visit. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 9/10/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Newsletter crew

This past Tuesday was very busy at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary owned and operated by the Sierra County Humane Society. After the traditional pot-luck lunch shared by the DHAR volunteer and work camping team, everyone gathered around the oversize table in the dining/meeting room. The goal this week was to fold the newly printed 2011 newsletters and get them ready to mail to our supporters and members. In a few days, over six hundreds newsletter will have been mailed to our animal loving friends in Sierra County and throughout the US. The furry and feathered residents of Desert Haven count on YOU. Our volunteer team counts on YOU. Your membership gift and your continued support make our work of love at Desert Haven Animal Refuge possible. We could not do what we do without YOU.

This week’s wish list: Bleach, Odorban, dishwashing liquid, heavy duty long and short handle brushes. We can also use construction and roofing material, plywood, rolls of insulation, wood screws, etc. Our on-going treat supply for Desert Haven canines of all sizes needs replenishing. Please consider donating dog treats for dogs of all sizes (no rawhide please). Your contribution can be dropped off on Tuesday at DHAR or at Paws&Claws when the shop is open for business (Wed through Sat from 11 AM to 4 PM). Please wait for the shop to be open for business when you drop-off your contributions. Remember that any donated item left at the front of the store when it is closed usually disappears quickly into the wrong hands and does not make it inside.

We continue to offer volunteer opportunities at both Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Two of our P&C Thrift Shoppe dedicated volunteers have recently taken a medical leave of absence. We need help now more than ever at the shop. It’s in the middle of re-organization and our customers are obviously impressed with the results. All the comments we hear are very positive and encouraging and they are shared with all the volunteers. Everyone likes the “New Look” at Paws& Claws. Interested in helping your local animal welfare organization in some way? Call us at 575-894-2639 or at 813-716-2033 for more information. Tuesday is Open House Day at the no-kill sanctuary and everyone is welcome to visit. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and our facebook page at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 8/28/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Bill washing dog dishes

Sunvalley Hardware made a generous donation of dog food to Desert Haven recently. We sincerely thank owner Chuck Watkins and Manager Doug Brown for initiating this timely donation. We also thank Jesse Bailey for kindly loading the several large dog food bags into the IM4PETS truck - destination: Desert Haven Animal Refuge.

These are tough economic times for everyone. Contributions to our cause have understandably decreased since the past economic down turn, but the need to care for even more animals has increased. These are also though times for the animals all over Sierra County. These are times they need us the most. We depend on our supporters now more than ever. We depend on profits from our Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe now more than ever. Times are tough. Still, our business community continues to come through for us. Moose Lodge 2050 and American Legion Post 44 also came through for us this year, as they do whenever we need it the most. People from all over who love animals continue to help us make a difference in Sierra County. We are grateful. We could not do what we do without ALL OF YOU who support our cause.

Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe has been undergoing some re-organization the past couple of weeks. The major project has been on our “must-do” list for several months now, but we just did not have the able-bodied volunteers to get it off the ground. Last Monday, Frank and Daniel Welch, Sherry Scott, Janice and David Lamb, Bob and Bonnie Collins, Israel Davis, together with Eliana Aubin, spent the entire afternoon re-organizing the store front of Paws & claws Thrift Shoppe. Janice, David and Eliana worked long after everyone else had left that evening, to bring the project a little closer to completion before the shop opened for business as usual on Wednesday of that week. It was hard physical work, but the results made it all worth it. A sincere “Thank- you” goes to everyone involved in this major and much needed project.

Interested in joining our animal welfare cause? Pick up a membership form at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe and become a member. There are volunteer opportunities at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe as well as Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Contact us at 813-716-2033 or 894-2639 or for more information. Visit the sanctuary on Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM, when it is open to visitors. Want to adopt a dog or a cat? Contact us at 740-9412. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 8/21/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Leonard Chambers watering the cats

MOOSE Lodge 2050 recently made a very generous donation to the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge. The donation will go towards veterinary care for the dogs and cats residing at the no-kill sanctuary. It will also allow the completion of several projects that will make life even more comfortable for its furry residents. MOOSE Lodge 2050 has always been very supportive of the entire community and of our animal welfare organization. All of us who love animals sincerely appreciate the on-going kindness of its members and leadership.

It’s been a good summer. It started in April of this year, when Sherry Scott filled-in the position of DHAR Animal Care Coordinator. A few days later, Frank Welch of Albuquerque arrived with his two Dobermans at the sanctuary as a long-term work camper. He had watched a segment on Desert Haven aired on a number of regional TV stations, as part of the “It’s All Good New Mexico” program presented by Comcast TV. Frank was inspired enough to make a change in his lifestyle and become involved as a full-fledged member of the DHAR team. Frank is also an accomplished handyman – a magic word at Desert Haven. A few days later, Diane Lombardo of Northern New Mexico, together with Max, her constant fur-companion, committed to help the crew for a couple of months. Diane is returning this fall as a long-term work camper. Her involvement will include our organization’s Humane Outreach and Education program.

Janice Lamb and her husband moved from Florida to Elephant Butte in April. Almost immediately, Janice became a volunteer at DHAR. Just recently, they moved to Desert Haven. Janice is a tremendous asset, and she is already making a difference in her new position in the organization.

Karen and her cake

Israel Davis and Daniel Welch are Desert Haven’s newest long-term work campers. Barbara and her husband moved to Elephant Butte this past April. Not only she is helping with animal care through the week, but she also volunteers at P&C and handles the front desk at Desert Haven every Tuesday. Bill McLain, Leonard & Karen Chambers are currently work camping at the sanctuary. Leonard & Karen’s commitment to DHAR is nearing its end. They will be missed.

Indeed, many good things have happened at Desert Haven since the month of April. Interested in joining our team and become a dog walker or a kitty cuddler? Visit the sanctuary on Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM, when it is 0pen to visitors. Desert Haven can be reached at 575-894-1694. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com

Week of 8/14/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Over the next few weeks, the Sierra County Humane Society team will be concentrating its efforts on revamping Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe adjacent to Family Dollar in TorC. We plan to make it more spacious and attractive and can certainly use a few extra hands to do so. Is this type of physical volunteer work up your alley? Then check with our shop cashier during business hours for more details . We are open from 11 AM to 4 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays, or call us at 894-2639.

Tuesday lunch at Desert Haven

Paws & Claws customers Sharon Lagerfeldt recently dropped-off at P&C a box full of home-grown Gala apples to be shared at our Tuesday lunch - very tasty by the way and a thoughtful gesture appreciated by everyone. By the way, Sharon does this every year and she also supports our animal welfare efforts by donating to our cause items from around the world and also one-of-a-kind items that go a long way to enhance the variety of our assortment for sale. Donations such as these help give our shop its unique flair making it an interesting place to shop at - a point often acknowledged by many of our customers. Israel David is DHAR’s newest long-term work camper and already, he is becoming very versatile both at DHAR and P&C Thrift Shoppe. Israel’s willingness to give a hand whenever needed, together with his pleasant attitude and his generosity, is already making this hard working and conscientious individual a valued member of the team.

For more information on our organization’s Adoption and Adopt-a-Pet Referral programs, contact Sherry at 575-740-9412. Do you feed a feral cat in need of sterilization? Call Janice at 813-716-2033. Perhaps you need some financial assistance in having your companion animal sterilized? Spay-neuter forms are available for you at the TorC Police Station and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe. Please remember that it is only through YOUR purchases at P&C that these crucial sterilization programs can be made possible. Desert Haven can be reached at 575-894-1694. It is open to visitors every Tuesday from 9AM to 4 PM. Visit our web site at: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. , our blog at http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.