Week of March 2 Humane Happenings

Lucky

The Sierra County Humane Society president & Desert Haven Animal Refuge CEO - Eliana Aubin - was recently invited to speak at the monthly meeting of the Rotary Club of Elephant Butte, held at Hodges Restaurant. What a gregarious group of community minded folks! The generous contribution made by the club as well as those by club members Kandie Lanford of Cornerstone Accounting & Payroll Service, Ray Hodges of Hodges Restaurant, Laura Jane Tinon and several other members of the club are very appreciated and will be put to good use at the no-kill sanctuary. A wonderful group of community minded folks indeed!

Paws & Claws thrift shop is in the process of being relocated and over 19 folks came to help last Sunday. From Robbin Brodsky of Hillsboro, to Johnny and Linda Jones of Mimbres, Leo & Diana Rivera, Walt Allen, Becca Weybright, Dolly Loftus, Margo and Michael, as well as the entire volunteer crew at Desert Haven, everyone worked very hard through the afternoon and a large number of shelving was set up, cleaned and painted. We thank ALCO for donating several shelving fixtures for the new store, also Eliana Aubin, Johnny & Linda Jones for transporting them to the new location. At this time, we still need clothes racks for seasonal storage of donated clothing.

On Tuesday morning, after animal care, the DHAR crew met again at the new store’s location, together with Leo Rivera, Vicki & Fritz Sorg, Carl Morse, Robbin Brodsky of Hillsboro and Gaye. Special thanks are in order for Darren Travis of Pizza Hut, for giving a special discount on enough pizza to feed over 26 workers at lunch time. We also appreciate the generosity of Vicki & Fritz Sorg who donated a large cooler full of bottled water, ice tea and soft drinks for everyone present. What a great group of workers and supporters!

On a sad note: Lucky, the sweet and gentle Desert Haven canine mascot, was euthanized a few days ago. He had been recently diagnosed with lymphoma, a rapidly spreading form of cancer in dogs, and his quality of life had degenerated quickly over the last couple of weeks. Cutting his life short was a very difficult decision that was not made lightly. Losing Lucky hurt just as much as if he was our very own dog. In a way, he was, to all whose lives he had touched, as they volunteered their time at the Sanctuary throughout the five years that Dog Town had become his home. Lucky did not die alone; Two of his many friends were there with him, Freddie Loveless of DHAR and Stan Brodsky, who had driven all the way from Hillsboro that morning, especially to be near him during the last moments of his life. Lucky was indeed very special to all of us. We will speak of him often, so his memory does not faint into the night. He was ours and we were his, through thick and thin, for as long as it took. That’s how it works at Desert Haven.

Week of 2/24/08 Humane Happenings

Jeannette with Scotty & Bud


These are busy times for The Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill, domestic animal sanctuary. The Society’s major fund raising activity, Paws & Claws thrift shop, is being relocated in the building where Southwest Small Engine Repair Shop used to operate from, and the new location will provide much more display as well as work space. We trust that our supporters will continue to be as generous as they have been, in their contributions of good recyclable items to benefit the animals of Sierra County and Desert Haven. The relocation is being handled within a time-frame and at this time, we need volunteers to help us set up shelving and store fixtures that we recently purchased from a store that closed its doors recently. If any of our readers wishes to help us out in some way, please contact Freddie at 894-2778 for more information.

This week’s Kudos go to Jeanette Galliard of Albuquerque, for her continued support of our organization. Not only does Jeanette provide straw and alfalfa to Desert Haven on an on-going basis, but she also shares in the daily care of the non-human residents at the facility while she is enjoying her Rest & Recuperation time (R & R) at Caballo Lake RV Park one week a month.

This past Tuesday, thanks to Jeanette’s generosity, the volunteer work crew enjoyed a variety of delicious pizza for lunch – and plenty of it! What a treat!

This week, we wish to thank Mary Roden, Annie & Richard Millard, Vickie & Fritz Sorg of ALCO, Bill & Mary Jane Clellan, Patricia Trujillo, Al Skinner and the several anonymous contributors of food or cash to purchase food for our animals. Also kudos to the owners of Kirikos Family Funeral Home and Bartoo Sand & Gravel, for their generous donation towards improvements and repairs that need to be made at Desert Haven. Desert Haven is open for visitors every Tuesday, and by appointments. Contact us at 575-894-2778 or 894-1694 for more information. You can also check out our web site www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 2/17/08 Humane Happenings

Lance - the partially blind Cocker Spaniel

This past week has been full of challenges for the active volunteers of the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. & Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary. Paws & Claws, the Society operated thrift shop, will soon be relocating into the larger building across the alley from Family Dollar, and preparations are being made to allow a safe and quick transition - not an easy task for our small crew of volunteers. At this time, we welcome the help of any of our readers interested in joining us to make the relocation easier. Please contact Freddie at 894-2778 for more information.

Judith Papas was the volunteer “Chef of the Day” this past Tuesday, and her Italian eggplants casserole was well received by the fifteen folks sitting at the oversized table at lunch time that day. This year’s winter crew at DHAR has been great, in many ways. Among other things, everyone deserves a huge pat on the back for pitching in as they have, so that the Tuesday lunches could be as tasty and plentiful as they have been for the past several weeks.

These next couple of weeks, the crew will need extra help with animal care at Desert Haven, because of a shortage of volunteers caused by in and out-of-state vacations and hospital stays.

Thank-you, Kathryn Spahr for grooming Lance, the tan, happy & always ready for a walk, partially blind cocker spaniel rescued by one of our volunteers from a busy Albuquerque intersection last Summer. The scared little dog could not see his way out of the maze of speeding cars and it would have been his death sentence for sure, had one of us not been there - at that moment in time -to rescue him from his ordeal. Life has a way of working out sometimes, even for helpless and almost blind little dogs like Lance.

We at DHAR consider ourselves truly blessed with the arrival of Kathryn and John Spahr of Washington State several months ago. This very special couple has a huge part in the team spirit and the congenial atmosphere that is being felt at Desert Haven at this time. It is heartwarming to have such truly wonderful people living and working at the sanctuary. John and Kathryn are planning to stay several years with us– we are blessed indeed.

This week’s Wish List: Cat food – dry and canned. If you are walking for your heart, take a dog with you. To know more on “Take a Dog on Your Walk”, contact Freddie at 894-2778. To find our more about us, check out our web site: www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 2/10/08 Humane Happenings

Workshop cement floor in progress

February is already quickly becoming one of the most action-packed and exciting months on record for the volunteer crew at Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Paws & Claws thrift shop. Not only Desert Haven is seeing the undertaking of some major projects, such as the cement floor for the soon-to-be-built workshop, but Paws & Claws thrift shop is finally relocating – a long overdue move.

Through the 11 years of its existence, Paws & Claws thrift shop has been the most important financial support for the Society and an important public relations outlet. Over the years, the proceeds from the small but very busy thrift shop have allowed the Society to continue and expand its community involvement and, in 1999, purchase the land on which Desert Haven has now been built. Paws & Claws is a major contributor to the success of The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc., which receives no funding from any major Humane Society or animal welfare agency of any type, or from government entities, local or otherwise.

Paws & Claws opened its doors in February of 1997. Manned entirely by volunteers, the small shop soon became very active and donations started pouring in at such a fast pace that it took huge efforts on the part of the crew to keep up with sorting through and displaying recyclable items on an on-going basis. Over time, space became a major drawback. Throughout the shop’s growing pains, we have met wonderful people and made long lasting friendships. After 11 years at the same location, the shop is finally moving out of the small building at 109 East First Street and into a space three times its size on the other side of the block.

Soon, Paws & Claws will operate from the building formerly occupied by Southwest Small Engine Repair shop, across the alley from Family Dollar. Anyone available the next two Tuesdays and interested in helping the crew set up several sets of display shelves, lattice partitions, etc. at the new location, please contact Freddie at 575-894-2778. We certainly can use the help of several handymen and helpers, and, once the shelves and clothes racks are set-up, we will need folks to help us move merchandise from the shop’s old location to the new one.

This week’s Wish List: Dry and canned cat food has the highest priority on our list.
For more information, contact us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778. You can also check-out our web site at www.deserthavenanimalrefuge.com.

Week of 2/4/08 Humane Happenings

Bootz and Elvis

The Annual Membership Meeting of the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. was held on Monday February 4th, at Frank and Jody Koch’s home in T or C. Among other important matters discussed and voted on, elections were held for the three positions available this year on the Board of Directors. Board members Frederica Loveless and Frank Koch will continue on for another three years. Hellen (Bootz) Farrester was elected to the post left vacant by Ardell Scarticcini, who has been a Charter member of the Sierra County Humane Society and a Board member for the past several years. Bootz, as her friends call Hellen, has been a very active member since her friend Al Wilkinson –Dog Trainer at DHAR - convinced her to join our team of volunteers almost two years ago. Welcome to the Board, Bootz!

Who said men can’t cook? Nobody believes that at Desert Haven, especially after the delicious Italian style stuffed shells prepared and served by New York native Ron Gjurovich at last Tuesday’s lunch. Ron drove his RV to Desert Haven in Spring of 2007 and is making the sanctuary his “Pied-a-Terre” for a while. Great to have you on our team, Ron!

This week’s kudos go to Julie Rhedding of Albuquerque, ALCO, Alise Anima and Chris Montoya of T or C, The Hammonds of Las Cruces, Peter and Karin Altendorf of Texas, who either donated much needed pet food or contributed towards the purchase of pet food for the non-human residents of DHAR. Also a huge thank-you goes to our friends R & B from Colorado - who wish to remain anonymous - for their very generous donation to the cause of the animals of Sierra County.

We appreciate the kind letter from the caring gentleman who donated to Desert Haven miscellaneous items and pet food in memory of his 13 year old kitty “Inky” who passed away from Diabetes a few days ago, and his German Shepherd “ Rex” who died of bone cancer: We at Desert Haven understand his loss, of an understanding only those who genuinely love animals can share.

The need for canned dog and cat food, as well as dry cat food, is a priority at this time at DHAR, and we hope that our animal loving friends will be generous.

These past few weeks have been full of Birthday wishes: Ardell Scarticcini, Ron Gjurovich, Dolly Loftus, Dave Estavillo, George and DiAnna Schnetzer. Happy Birthday to all of you, and many happy returns. For more information about DHAR, contact Freddie at 894-2778. Also visit our web sites at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 1/27/08 Humane Happenings

Freddie and the twins

Happy belated birthday, Frederica Loveless! Freddie, as her friends call her, drove her motorhome from Frankfurt, Indiana to Desert Haven Animal Refuge over five years ago. Desert Haven was still very much in the construction stage at the time. Freddie quickly became involved in its progress, and stayed involved year after year, while also making many friends in the nearby communities. An even-tempered individual who never has a negative word to say about anyone, Freddie is very dedicated to the welfare of the sanctuary’s non-human residents and she continues to make a huge contribution to the smooth operation of the non-profit, all volunteer organization. Thanks for staying with us, Freddie.

A special thank-you goes to the thoughtful lady -who wishes to stay anonymous - who cooked a large amount of tasty chicken & brown rice for Lucky, Desert Haven’s mascot and Dog Town’s “Deputy Dawg” who is terminally ill. The gentle and well-mannered companion animal is responding well to medication and also to the extra loving care from all of us at DHAR. We also wish to thank one of our readers for her generous donation, which is being applied to Lucky’s medical bills, including a recent surgery. Readers wishing to help should send their contribution to “Lucky”, Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Williamsburg, NM 87942. Anyone interested to find out more about Lucky and his current health situation, please contact us at 575-894-2778.

Bullocks receipts are still being collected by our organization and should be dropped off in the Sierra County’ Humane Society “Cash for Clubs” boxes at The T or C Library, Williamsburg’s Post Office, as well as at Paws & Claws thrift shop at 109 East First Street. When the shop is closed, you can drop off your receipts inside the mailbox that is in front of the small shop for that purpose. Josephine Varnum deserves to be acknowledged for her on-going handling of the receipts. Since the program started a number of years ago, Josephine has tallied all the receipts, the proceeds from which are being used for our comprehensive Spay-Neuter program. We also collect aluminum cans to benefit the program. They can be dropped off in the Can Corral adjacent to Paws & Claws. For more information on the Spay-Neuter program, contact us at 575-894-1694.

This week, we hope that some of our readers will consider donating dried and canned cat food, as well as canned dog food. We also need helpers at Paws & Claws thrift shop.
The Annual Membership Meeting of the Sierra County Humane Society will be held the first Monday in February. For more information, contact Freddie at 575-894-2778. Consider visiting our web site at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 1/20/08 Humane Happenings

Happy belated birthday, Carlson Morse. Carl, a winter resident of T or C, volunteers at Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Paws & Claws thrift shop, and his handyman’s skills as well as his positive attitude are very much appreciated.

Last Tuesday was a very busy day for the volunteer Team at the domestic animal sanctuary. With temperatures rising a little closer to the norm at this time of the year, various indoor and outdoor projects were assigned to everyone present. From setting up a new office space or sanding a new floor, to painting or building walkways of patio blocks and flagstones, there was never a dull moment among the crew and everyone seemed to enjoy working with the other members of their team. Aside from the daily care of the residents of the no-kill sanctuary, efforts are constantly being made to keep Desert Haven Animal Refuge in good state of repairs along with upgrading the premises whenever possible.

With the holidays behind us, adoption clinics are being started again and DHAR’s Facility Manager Linda Estavillo is to be commended for organizing them and keeping them alive.

This week’s wish list: dry and canned pet food - agility training video including various types of dog agility training equipment such as tunnels large enough for them to go through, platforms, hoops, and other items that can be used to build a comprehensive training area that would benefit the residents of Dog Town. For more information, contact Linda at 740-2775.

Do any of our readers have a young kitten in need of a new home? We have someone who, through our Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, is interested in adopting an unwanted kitten. For more information, contact Stan at 575-895-5551. Through the program, Stan matches those who wish to adopt a certain type of companion animal with others who have one they want to give away.

Your Bullocks receipts mean dollars to our organization. Please drop of your receipts at Paws & Claws thrift shop on First Street in T or C, The T or C Library, or the Williamsburg Post Office. For more information on the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge, contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 1/13/08 Humane Happenings

Entrance to Birdland

The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. operates the Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, whose purpose is to assist pet owners wanting to relinquish an unwanted companion animal, in connecting with individuals who are interested to adopt one. Anyone interested in giving up an unwanted animal or adopting one should contact Stan at 575-895-5551. From a list that he continually updates, Stan matches those who wish to adopt a certain type of companion animal with others who have one they can no longer keep. The Society operates the Adopt-a-Pet Referral program entirely free of charge to anyone taking advantage of it.

John & Kathryn Spahr of Seattle, Washington , Sue & Ken Schaebethal of South Dakota, Mick & Claudia Moffit of Missouri, Ron Djurovich of New York, Linda & Dave Estavillo of Oregon, Jerry Andrus of Iowa, Freddie Loveless of Indiana, Deb Peters of Connecticut, Walt Allen of Michigan, Carlson Morse of New England, visitor and long time friend of DHAR, Dixie Montanti, Eliana Aubin and Dolly Loftus gathered at the lunch table Tuesday and everyone raved about Dolly’s chili stew - a big hit with everyone present. The Tuesday lunch time at Desert Haven is always full of laughter and good conversation which ends up in a very relaxed atmosphere for everyone present.

This week, we send a very special thank-you to Phillip Duncan and Sandi Gardner of Williamsburg, for their very generous contribution to Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary.

We also appreciate the on-going generosity of Annie and Richard Millard of Caballo, whose monthly contributions for the past several years continue to help feed the residents of Birdland & Animal House. Annie and Richard have been very supportive of our organization over the years, and they are thought of fondly.

It takes folks like Phillip, Sandi, Annie and Richard, to help us continue helping animals down on their luck. Our work of love in progress is funded in its entirety by caring folks like them, as well as by Paws & Claws thrift shop in T or C. No funding whatsoever comes from any government entities, local or otherwise. Each and every Humane Society throughout the entire US operates on its own, consequently receives no funding from larger national humane societies such as the ASPCA and HSUS.

This week’s wish list: canned and dry dog and cat food, sunflower and wild bird seeds, dog and cat treats.

For more information, contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 1/06/08 Humane Happenings

"Lucky" - Deputy Dawg of Dogtown

The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. is governed by a Board of Directors in which are vested the concerns, direction and management of its affairs. It’s time for elections again.

The Annual Membership meeting of the Society will be held on the first Tuesday in February at 4 PM, at the home of Frank and Jody Koch. For directions, please call Freddie at 575-894-2778. Elections for empty and expiring directorships are held at that meeting. Officers are elected each year by the Board of Directors at the board meeting following the Annual Membership Meeting. All members of the Board serve for three years in a non-salaried, volunteer capacity and are eligible for re-election.

Any interested individual must have been a member for at least one year to qualify to serve on the Board of Directors. Any qualified member interested in a Board position or who would like to nominate someone is urged to send a letter of intent ASAP to The Sierra County Humane Society, Inc. POB 638 Williamsburg, NM 87942. For more information, contact us at 575-894-2778.

This week, we wish to thank Jane Fandey for handling all the craft and sewing material that is donated to Paws & Claws thrift shop, the major fundraiser of the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Jane sorts, tags and prices all the craft and sewing material that is subsequently displayed and sold at the thrift shop at 109 East First Street, adjacent to Hot Springs Trading Post. You are very much appreciated, Jane.

A special thank-you goes to the “Chef of the Day” at Desert Haven Animal Refuge - Ron Gjurovich – who prepared the brisket that was enjoyed by the crew at the Tuesday luncheon. Everyone raved on how tasty and tender it was.

Lucky, Desert Haven’s very first canine resident, is being scheduled to undergo a biopsy and everyone closely involved with Desert Haven is concerned about him and hoping for the best. Lucky is very special to all of us who know him and care for him. He was not exactly a puppy when he turned up, but still a little boy-dog, when he was found wandering along the highway several years ago and taken in at the no-kill sanctuary. A handsome, well-behaved and lovable Staffordshire terrier (pit bull), Lucky has become the symbol of the sanctuary’s commitment to its guiding principles: “ Except for those too badly injured or too sick to patch up, or those who are a danger to others or themselves, every animal, once granted asylum, is given a chance at DHAR.” Expenses for the needle biopsy (which was inclusive) plus the new test are expected to run close to one thousand dollars. Anyone wishing to donate towards Lucky’s medical expenses is invited to send any contribution to “Lucky” at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, POB 638, Williamsburg, NM.

For more information on the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge, contact us at 894-2778 or e-mail us at aubin29@zianet.com. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.


Eliana C. Aubin

Week of 1/1/08 Humane Happenings

Al Wilkinson & Parker in training

Desert Haven welcomed 2008 with “Business as Usual” at the Refuge. The team of volunteers who took care of the non-human residents at the small no-kill, non-profit domestic animal sanctuary are to be congratulated for their dedication, especially at this time of the year. Special thanks to a fantastic crew who not only pitched in during the holidays when we were short on volunteers, but who also gets along very well together day in and day out.

Ron, John, also Jerry-The Cat-Man, Freddie, Linda, Kathryn-The Bird-Lady, Dolly, Gene, Walt, Jillian and Eliana are all to be congratulated for making Tuesday January First a successful work-day at the sanctuary. Together with Bootz, Al, Marilyn, Molly, Diana, Deb, Stan & Robbin, who also volunteer either at Paws & Claws or DHAR, they make a cohesive and very productive team. We are indeed blessed this Winter, to have such a good group at DHAR.

We wish to mention Camille Pronovost who maintains and also updates the Sierra County Humane Society’s web site weekly, as well as the blog. Camille and her husband live in Florida and spent a short time at Desert Haven during the heart of the winter last year. Camille took on the web site soon afterwards, and its professional look continues to draw many very positive comments. Thanks, Camille.

If any of our readers has a small hot water tank he no longer uses, or perhaps a large coffee pot, we sure could use either one in Dog Town. It’s a lot more comfortable to wash the dog’s empty food bowls in warm water during the cold weather. We continue to need canned and dry dog & cat food, also chicken scratch and sunflower seeds. Dog Walkers and Kitty cuddlers are always in high demand at DHAR, and anyone interested in helping out in this way should contact Freddie at 894-2778.

Last but not least, we wish to thank Alissa Anima for her generous recent contribution to purchase food for the animals, also Kathryn Gold who donated in honor of their RV’er friends Sue and Ed White. While Ed and Sue stayed in a local RV park last winter, they came every day to DHAR to volunteer with the daily animal care. Many thanks to several other animal loving folks: Jeanette Galliard, for the truck load of alfalfa and straw she drove all the way from Albuquerque during the holidays, as well as for her cash donation for food for the animals - Leonardo and Diana Rivera for their recent donation of chicken scratch for Birdland’s residents - Stan and Robbin for driving all the way from Hillsboro several times a week, to help either to DHAR or the thrift shop - and Annie and Richard Millard for their monthly pledge to help feed the residents of Birdland.

Parker the border Collie, Angel the terrier, Princess the Chihuahua, and Sport the mountain dog are the newest residents of Dog Town and, with the help of Desert Haven’s dog trainer Al Wilkinson and every member of our team of volunteers, they are ready to start a new life with folks who will love and treasure them.

2008 promises to be full of interesting events. We thank all our animal loving friends, as well as the local and out-of-the-area businesses that have supported us in 2007 and we hope that they will continue to support us throughout the New Year. For more information, contact us at 575-894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.

Week of 12/16/07 Humane Happenings

"Lucky the Reindeer" - Desert Haven's first canine resident

Christmas is just around the corner and the volunteer team at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s No-Kill Domestic Animal Sanctuary, is asking all animal loving folks to consider including Desert Haven’s furry and feathered residents on their Christmas list. In Dog Town, we continue to need sturdy leashes, dog treats, canned and dry food, along with big dog food bowls.

In winter and especially during cold weather, the dogs of Desert Haven are fed a mixture of moist and dry food twice a day, after their exercise run on The Old West Trail. One twenty-pound bag of dog food, for example, lasts about one day at Dog Town. While we purchase brands such as Beneful and Pedigree on a regular basis for our canine population, we mix everything together, including pet food of any type that is donated by our animal loving friends.

The residents of The Cool Cat Neighborhood love canned tuna of course, but they also appreciate any type of canned and dry cat food, and treats as well. Everyone visiting “The Neighborhood” always comments on the attractiveness and cleanliness of the entire Feline Habitat. As a couple visiting DHAR from out-of-state called it, it is most certainly “the feline equivalent of a five-star gated community” - quite an impressive statement from cat lovers who make it a point to visit feline sanctuaries as they travel throughout the country.

John & Linda Jones of San Lorenzo, New Mexico, visited Desert Haven this past Tuesday and they were both very impressed with the entire facility including the loving care that all the members of the DHAR team are giving the furry and feathered residents. John has already committed to help care for the animals and with on-going projects every Tuesday. Way to go, John!

This week, we especially wish to acknowledge Richard & Annie Millard of Caballo, for their generous Christmas contribution and their very complimentary note - also Rochelle Danhi of Florida, who visited DHAR recently with her friends Jim and Judith. Rochelle included with her generous contribution a card to let us know that the three of them were very impressed with the facility and how well we take care of all the non-human residents.

We appreciate the thoughtfulness of the recent anonymous contributor of the two large cans of wonderful dog treats dropped-off at Paws & Claws for the residents of Dog Town.

It’s Christmas time, and the volunteer team at Desert Haven hopes that the furry and feathered creatures in their care will also be remembered by folks who genuinely love animals. For more information, contact us at 894-2778. You can also check us out at http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com

Week of 12/9/07 Humane Happenings

Eliana with Angel, a Christmas puppy

Happy Belated Birthday, Linda Estavillo. At 39 years and holding, this birthday should be a memorable one for a very special lady. Linda is the Facilities Manager at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, The Sierra County Humane Society owned-and-operated no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Linda, who chose Desert Haven as part of her need for a change of direction in her career goals and a strong need for a purpose-driven life at this time in her life, came to Desert Haven over a year ago from her home in Oregon after answering a “Volunteer Help Wanted” ad in one of the national RV magazines. Linda resides at Desert Haven, with husband David, who works in law enforcement, and son James, a student at Hot Springs High School. Linda is a huge part of the on-going success of Desert Haven. Thanks for being part of our volunteer Team, Linda.

Ben and Beverly De Garmo, a couple originally from Texas who work camped at Desert Haven for the past several months, will soon be leaving the area to go on to their next work camping adventure in another part of the US. They have been instrumental in keeping the pet adoption clinics open in several of the local stores, and we very appreciate all their efforts as well as their genuine love and concern for the non-human residents of DHAR. We wish them well, and trust that they will indeed come back to DHAR, as they promised, when the opportunity presents itself to them again.

Sport, a young shepherd with a great disposition, together with Parker, a cheerful border collie, also Angel, an adorable six-week old puppy, also Princess, a cute-as-a-button Chihuahua terrier, are now the newest additions to Dog Town. Together with the rest of the Dog Town gang, these puppies and young canines of various sizes and temperaments are making Desert Haven a great place to shop for a companion animal, especially at this time of the year.

Wish List: Steel garbage cans with lids, used refrigerator in good working condition, pet food, canned & dry. Dog and cat treats.

Volunteers are needed to walk the resident dogs, help clean their environment and prepare their food. Kitty Cuddlers are also needed in The Cool Cat Neighborhood. If you are partial to birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens or peacocks, consider donating some of your time at Birdland. Marilyn Cassidy, a local volunteer, is spending the holidays out of the area and her dependable help is very much missed.

At this time of the year, remember the animals and help the volunteers at DHAR and the Sierra county Humane Society care for the less fortunate animals. For more information, contact us at 575-894-2778. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com.