Week of 1/2/11 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Denny Gano with Isis, our newest rescue

The year 2010 went out with a bang, as the dreaded cold front finally hit our area with a vengeance. It’s been very cold at Desert Haven the past few nights and all the volunteers caring every day for the animal and bird residents of the no-kill sanctuary deserve a special pat on the back. Freezing weather or not, all the fur and feather guys and girls get hungry every morning. Even before the Arctic weather hit this part of Sierra County, the volunteer crew had insured that the Kitty Motel, Feline Dorm, Cat Condos and Kitty Igloos were revamped with even more warm comforters, fleece blankets and large fluffy pillows.

At Dog Town and inside the Inn, nothing was left to chance either. As more rugs and carpets were laid over the cement floors inside the individual sleeping areas, every dog house was being refurbished to provide enough warmth for all the little fur-guy and girl residents during this especially cold front. The smaller breeds were fitted with snug doggy sweaters. At Birdland & Animal House, the guinea pigs, rabbits, doves, peacocks, roosters and hens received extra straw to keep them warm. Come on down, Old Man Winter, Desert Haven is ready for you!

Denny installing insulation

Denny Gano deserves special recognition. Denny and his wife Mattie are work camping at the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary this winter. Among other qualities and skills, Mattie is an accomplished artist and Denny, a contractor by trade, can build anything. Recently, Duke’s Pet Parents, some of Desert Haven’s strongest and most generous supporters, offered to cover the costs of the insulation material for the entire roof of the Inn at Dog town, if someone at Desert Haven would install it. Denny volunteered his personal time to do the project and last Tuesday afternoon, he had completed it. What a difference it makes inside the building!

Mattie Gano with one of her custom made signs

 A well deserved “thank-you” is in order to everyone who made this happen. Duke’s Pet Parents wish to stay anonymous. Their very generous contributions since they visited Desert Haven for the first time last July are in memory of Duke, their beloved black lab. Duke passed away at 13 years old last June. Thanks, Duke.

This week’s wish list: aside from volunteer help at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Desert Haven, we need large storage containers, carpet remnants, Odorban cleaning detergent, hand and floor brushes and squeegees, also two heavy duty filing cabinets. Do you have a scroll saw and would like to help out, directly from your home workshop? We have a project for you. Of course, catnip and pet food, including sunflower seeds, is always on our list. If you would like to help in some way, contact us at 575-894-2778, 740-4100 or 894-1694. Write us at POB 638 Williamsburg, NM 87942. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Meet us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven. Desert Haven is open to the public every Tuesday.