Week of 3/25/12 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Blue with new parents, Karen & Leon Hinkle

 Desert Haven Animal Refuge is a no-kill sanctuary for Sierra County companion animals who have been abused or discarded, and also those from folks who no longer can take care of them. The dogs and cats rescued at DHAR very often need special attention, including routine and often emergency - and costly - veterinary care, which they receive on arrival. These little ones are then ready to move on to a new life. Adoption fees at Desert Haven are carefully decided on by the Sierra County Humane Society Board of Directors. Many things have to be taken into account in this decision making - the current economy, availability of the right type of loving home, but also and as importantly, the long-term viability of Desert Haven.

 Most people don’t know that normal adoption fees at DHAR don’t even cover half the expenses of sterilizing and vaccinating the dogs and cats as we take them in and give them a home for life or until adoption. Also these adoption fees don’t even touch the operating costs of Desert Haven, costs of feeding, of housing and caring for these animals, which include routine and emergency veterinary care. Those of us who share our lives with our beloved companions realize the costs of having them.

 We at Desert Haven could not do what we do and offer our routinely subsidized adoption fees without the generous financial support of animal loving folks from all over who believe in what we do for the little ones down-on-their-luck.

 During its first Annual Springtime Adoption Blitz last week, the Sierra County Humane Society adopted out dogs and cats at 75% off regular fees - a huge savings for adopting families, also a heavy financial burden on our organization. To give more dogs and cats a chance at adoption, our Board decided to continue the adoption special during the entire month of April, this time at 50% off regular fees. Adoptions will take place onTuesdays between the hours of 9 AM to 5PM.

 This past week, our P&C Thrift Shoppe crew worked very hard, sorting through a large number of boxes and bags of craft and sewing items, assorted remnants of material, some of it obviously vintage. The craft items, etc. are now tagged and priced and displayed for sale inside the store. Volunteer opportunities continue to be available at Paws & Claws and Desert Haven.

Contact us at 575-894-1694 or 575-894-2639. E-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge, at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven. Our 501-C-3 nonprofit Sierra County Humane Society mailing address is, Post Office Box 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942.