Week of 2/1/11 Humane Happenings

By Eliana Aubin

A kitty recently "dumped" by her owner, photographed through a sliding glass door while she comes for food put out by a compassionate animal lover. We're calling her "Pumpkin" for the color of her fur.

The past year has been a really tough one for many in Sierra County, including homeless dogs and cats. The economic crisis has taken its toll on people, but also on their companion animals as they are becoming innocent victims of the current difficult times. Now more than ever, people are often tempted to look the other way, or they give up in despair when they come across a non-human in distress. Fortunately, Compassion compels some of us to act when others would not have. Every life has value. Because of all the kind folks who help our non-profit volunteer animal welfare organization in many ways, we continue to make a difference in this area of New Mexico.

Jeff, a volunteer at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe, cleaning the front windows.

The Sierra County Humane Society is a no-frill organization. We do not have an expensive office by any means. We do not pay any salary. Even the President of the organization is a volunteer. The duties of Executive Director of Desert Haven Animal Refuge and those of Manager of Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe are also performed on a strictly volunteer basis. As in many other worthwhile organizations in the community, our crew of volunteers is very limited and this is obviously a fact – sad as it may be - that we always must take into consideration in whatever we decide to do within the entire organization.

For the year 2010, only 4% of the budget of the Sierra County Humane Society went towards office expenses and supplies. The remainder funded projects and programs that benefit companion animals in Sierra County. The SCHS Spay-Neuter and Spay-a-Stray programs were by far the most costly. Medical expenses for unwanted and abused dogs and cats taken in at Desert Haven also came with a high price tag.

Desert Haven is sanctuary to over two hundred (200) non-human creatures which at one time were unwanted, neglected or abused. As we routinely adopt out dogs and cats at Desert Haven, we take in others down-on-their-luck. It breaks our hearts to turn away any animal in need for lack of resources. But again, taking in more animals than we can provide for would jeopardize the ones we have already rescued. We are often forced to say: “sorry, we cannot take in anymore”. Some folks understand, others get very angry with us and call us names. It’s something we accept as part of dealing with the “takers” of this world.

This week’s wish list: dog and cat food, sunflower and bird seeds, also rabbit pellets – Interested in becoming a member of the Sierra County Humane Society? Do you want to help us in some other way? Contact us at 575-894-2778. Write us at POB 638 Williamsburg, NM 87942. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Meet us at www.Facebook/com/deserthaven.