Week of 10/16/10 Humane Happenings

By Eliana Aubin

Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe; T or C, New Mexico

Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe is perhaps one of the busiest shops of its kind in the area. Our crew takes in household goods, clothing, furnishing, electronics and small appliances. Volunteers sort through what is donated and keep for display inside the shop high demand items, together with what they consider the best quality and the most unique.

Most of the folks who patronize Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe are very complimentary of the non-profit, volunteer operated resale shop. Many mention the shop’s atmosphere, its character and also the large variety of unusual and often hard-to-find items offered at great prices. They often comment on the friendliness and helpfulness of everyone who volunteers there. Patrons are even more supportive when they are made aware of the reason for its existence. Many tell us that they understand the amount of physical work and dedication that it takes to operate a second hand shop this busy. Most also understand that it takes many transactions to make this type of shop cover the costs of not only its overhead but most especially the entire operation of Desert Haven Animal Refuge and the Sierra County Humane Society.

All the profits generated at P&C help fund community service programs sponsored by the Sierra County Humane Society. Among others, Humane Education through the Adopt-a-Classroom program is available to elementary and middle school students whose teachers choose to participate in the program at the start of each school year. The Society also sponsors the sterilization of dogs and cats through its Spay-Neuter and Spay-a-Stray programs. Last but not least, Desert Haven Animal Refuge - Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary – is almost entirely supported financially by P&C Thrift Shoppe.

We always need extra helpers at the shop which is open each week from Wednesday through Saturday. Interested in helping revamp the display areas and keep them neat and attractive? Decorate the front windows? Help bring larger donated items inside? Help sort through donated items? Contact us at 894-2778.

This week’s wish list: canned dog food – a large tent, enclosed cabana, carport or storage building. We have space for a size 15ft by 15ft or 12ft by 20ft. We desperately need the extra protected floor space to be used as storage & sorting area for Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and to display for resale most donated furniture and large item.

Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. and http:''DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com. Meet us at www.Facebook/com/deserthaven. Our mailing address is POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942.