Week of 4/29/12 humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

 For almost a year now, Barbara Teeter has been the administrative assistant for the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. It is a volunteer position that she handles on Tuesdays. But this is not all Barbara has been doing as a service to the animal welfare organization and the community; Barb also shares Animal Care duties at Desert Haven two mornings a week and volunteers at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe every Friday. On Tuesdays, when the no-kill sanctuary is open to the public, some of Barbara’s tasks consist of manning the office phone, greeting local and out-of-state visitors, giving tours and also handling the paperwork on both the Spay-Neuter and Adoption programs. Some months ago, when Barb started a part-time cashier’s job at Walmart, the management was very understanding and helpful when she requested for her work schedule not to interfere with her volunteer work. As a rule and for many months, Barb was given those specific times off from Walmart so she could continue her volunteer activities. Within the last few weeks, Barb’s new Walmart schedule no longer allows her to volunteer for our organization in the way she has done for the past year. We trust that this drastic change in scheduling is only temporary, as Barb is crucial to our animal welfare organization.

Until Barb is back in the DHAR office on Tuesdays, we urge all local residents planning to take advantage of the SCHS Spay-Neuter program to be understanding and patient. Our organization generously provides this service on a totally volunteer basis and we utilize the profits from several fundraising activities to cover its high and ever-growing costs. As clearly indicated on our S/N application forms, the rebates are not retroactive.

This week, we wish to thank the family of 42 years old Molly Hinkle who passed away recently. In memory of their animal loving sister, her siblings generously donated a large number of her household hand and electric tools to Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe.

Do you walk as part of your Healthy Living program? Walking with a dog on a leash is as enjoyable for a dog aficionado as it is for the little one being walked. Desert Haven has many canines of various sizes and breeds and they all look forward to their early morning walk. To walk a DHAR dog or care for our felines, one must be 18 or over or accompanied by an adult family member. Contact us at 575-894-2639 or at weR4pets@gmail.com. Drop by the sanctuary on Tuesdays, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Visit us at: http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge. Chat with us at http://www.Facebook.com/deserthaven. Write to us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942.