Week of 4/26/10 Humane Happenings

Someone decided to discard a litter of seven not-yet-weaned pups this past week-end. They were abandoned at the entrance of Desert Haven Animal Refuge, huddled together in a small cage. When finally discovered, the little ones were very hungry, cold and scared. They look like Aussie mix.

Abandoning an unwanted companion animal is now a crime in New Mexico. Desert Haven is a small sanctuary with very limited resources. Consequently, it is neither physically nor financially able to take in every companion animal some owners refuse to take responsibility for and decide to literally “dump” on the sanctuary’s doorsteps. Every abandoned dog or cat for which we have no room for creates unnecessary hurdles for the crew as well as for the animals already settled there. We cannot possibly take in all the unwanted domestic animals in Sierra County, and we must make difficult choices. If we did not, we would not stay in operation and be able to continue to help the community very long.

Since they have already abandoned one litter of pups, the owners of the female dog who recently delivered them should have her sterilized before she gets pregnant again and continues the tragedy of bringing into the world even more unwanted pups that they will also abandon. Getting their female dog sterilized would finally stop the indiscriminate reproduction of the “factory of unwanted puppies” these folks have created.

The Sierra County Humane society offers rebates to help pet owners with the costs of sterilizing their companion animals. Applications are available at the T or C police station, Desert Haven and also at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe. Once a month, our animal welfare organization also offers a free Spay to one dog or cat owner, courtesy of our local veterinarian Doctor Cardwell.

Sadly, even in this day and age, unwanted pups are born all the time, from unsterilized females owned by folks who either don’t care or who claim they can’t afford the costs of sterilization. Sooner or later, many of those unwanted dogs and cats find themselves dropped-off at Sierra Animal Shelter, T or C and Sierra County Animal Shelter. The service is covered by the tax payers of Sierra County and is totally free to pet owners. The great majority of unwanted animals are euthanized at the local shelter, because there are not enough homes for them all. Others are literally “dumped” here and there, near the river, the lake, some neighborhood, somewhere in the countryside. They are left to fend for themselves and they die slowly and miserably. How can a dog survive long on his own in this desert? Folks who do not sterilize their companion animals are perpetrating the tragedy that T or C and Sierra County continues to be plagued with.

This week, we are asking our friends who believe in our cause to please consider donating puppy food and some of their time to help us feed and care for the seven new pups abandoned last week-end at the entrance of Desert Haven. We can be reached at 575-894-2778, 575-740-4100 or POB 638 Williamsburg, NM, 87942. Check out our web site at www.DeserthavenanimalRefuge.com, our blog at ww.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com, and our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 4/19/10 Humane Happenings

Sunny, in her new home after Desert Haven


Desert Haven Animal Refuge, the Sierra County Humane Society owned-and-operated domestic animal sanctuary, is welcoming its newest resident – Emma. This small, 16 to 18 lbs 6 months old boxer mix is a real cutie. Sweet, calm and already with all the good habits that make a dog a pleasure to live with, Emma will soon be made available for adoption. Meanwhile, she is settling down at Dog Town as she connects with the rest of the canine gang while enjoying the wonderful care that each and every resident receives at the sanctuary. With work camper Helen Hasty’s recent arrival and now, Mel and Eve Klein returning soon to Desert Haven, the crew will be almost complete. We can’t thank enough our local animal care volunteers – Pat, Stan, Becky, Steve and Jan, all of them of Hillsboro, Art, Martye, Claudette & Birdie of T or C and E.B. They work together with a small but efficient work camping crew, as they help feed and care for the sanctuary residents.

Are you interested in perhaps adopting a dog or a cat, but you don’t know how to go about finding just the right one for you? Do you want to exercise with a dog at your side but you don’t have one of your own or simply don’t want one just yet? Would you like to extend your circle of animal loving friends? Then, volunteering at DHAR may be for you. You can reach Animal Care Coordinator Reba at 575-740-4100 for more information.


The Sierra County Humane Society continues to collect Bullocks receipts and aluminum cans which, when redeemed, help cover the costs of the Society’s comprehensive Spay-Neuter program. Our $30 and $40 rebates for male and female dogs and cats, respectively, are intended to give an extra incentive to pet owners to have their companion animal sterilized. The major part of the cost of the Society Spay-Neuter program is covered by the proceeds from Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe in T or C. You can drop-off your Bullocks receipts at Paws & Claws, the T or C library and the Williamsburg Post office. Several nice folks, including Shirley Babe of T or C and CJ Ellis of Caballo Lake RV park also make it a point to collect the receipts from their friends for our non-profit animal welfare organization.

We continue to need dog and cat food, bird and sunflower seeds, also rabbit pellets for the furry and feathered residents of the sanctuary. Our little dependents consume a lot of food every day. We appreciate immensely every cash donation, bag or can of pet food donated by folks who believe in what we do for animals in this area, and who want to help us help them. We can be reached at 575-894-2778 for more information. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. You can also check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven

Week of 4/10/10 Humane Happenings

Snoopy

by Eliana Aubin

Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County's no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, is owned and operated by the Sierra County Humane Society, the only Humane Society in Sierra County. Several weeks ago, we attempted to answer one of the most frequently asked question brought up by locals and also by seasonal residents as well as tourists who visit Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe in T or C, the Humane Society operated second-hand store.

Contrary to popular belief, the Sierra County Humane Society is NOT associated with Sierra Animal Shelter or Hot Springs Animal Clinic, two privately owned local businesses. This brings us to another often-asked question we wish to answer at this time. Why is Desert Haven open only on Tuesdays, while Sierra Animal Shelter is open every day of the week, also a few hours on Saturdays?

Sierra Animal Shelter is a for-profit business and as in any other regular business, its purpose is to make money. The folks who work at Sierra Animal Shelter are paid employees and their job is to keep the business open every day of the week, including several hours on Saturdays.

Desert Haven is run by volunteers - even its Executive Director works entirely in a volunteer capacity. Securing dependable volunteers to keep the sanctuary open for visitors on a regular schedule every day of the week, while at the same time maintaining an adequate volunteer work crew to properly care for the residents, is currently not a possibility. It is a known fact that volunteers are hard to come by in this area, no matter what the organization represents and even when the need is great.

Desert Haven compensates for the inconvenience of not being open every day of the week and on week-ends by allowing sanctuary visits for the purpose of adoption. All one has to do is call us at 575-894-2778 or 575-740-4100 for an appointment. These visits can be done at any time of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays. It takes a lot of planning, a tremendous amount of work, dedication and determination, as well as an especially strong love for animals on the part of a number or folks to make a non-profit operation like the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge run successfully day in and day out.

To learn more about our organization, make a tax-deductible contribution or to volunteer your time for Sierra County’s animal welfare organization, contact us at 575-894-2778 or 575-740-4100. You can also visit us at Desert Haven Animal Refuge in Williamsburg and P&C Thrift Shoppe in T or C. You can also check us out at
http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, Facebook.com/deserthaven or http://www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com.

Week of 4/4/10 Humane Happenings

Lucy (known as Sasha at DH) is the picture of contentment in her new home

This week, The Sierra County Humane Society and the folks at Desert Haven wish to acknowledge the nice folks who are dropping off bags and cans of pet food for the residents of the no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Large or small, their in-kind donations as well as their contributions earmarked for pet food are a blessing. At this time, Desert Haven is housing its largest population of dogs and cats since it opened its doors several years ago, and a lot of food is distributed twice a day to keep this little army of healthy animals fed and happy. A number of folks who patronize Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe in T or C are making it a point these days to ask us about Desert Haven’s pet food situation versus Walmart.

As our readers already know, since the mega store opened its doors in our area in August 2008, Walmart started to donate their damaged bags of pet food to the Sierra County Humane Society, the only 501-C-3 non-profit animal welfare organization in Sierra County. The donated pet food was earmarked to feed the residents of Desert Haven, the domestic animal sanctuary owned and operated by the society. Because of Walmart’s generosity, Desert Haven became financially able to rescue even more dogs and cats than it had in the past. When a new management came on board at the mega store in the Fall of 2009 and changes were made within its ranks, Walmart’s pet food donations to Desert Haven suddenly stopped, leaving Sierra County’s only no-kill sanctuary with an immediate and totally unanticipated lack of adequate donated pet food to help feed its all-time high number of dogs and cats.

We trust that everyone who embraces the cause of the animals in our area and also those who have been helped by our organization in some way, either through our Spay-Neuter or any of our other community oriented programs, will consider putting Desert Haven on their list of worthwhile causes to donate to.

This week’s kudos go to Mary Roden, who for the past several weeks has visited the 36 kitties at Desert Haven’s Cool Cat Neighborhood every Tuesday, when the sanctuary is open for visitors. Not only does she spend a lot of time with them that day, but she never fails to bring with her either dog or cat food, as she knows how costly it is for a small organization lie ours to properly care for as many companion animals as we currently have, especially in these financially difficult times.

Interested in helping the cause of Sierra County’s companion animals in some way? Visit Desert Haven on Tuesday or contact us at 575-894-2778 or 575-740-4100. For more information on the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc., Desert Haven Animal Refuge and P&C thrift Shoppe, you can also visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, and at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 3/21/10 Humane Happenings

Daisy (on left) adopted from Desert Haven where she was known as Scruffy, in her new forever home with Luke, a new friend!

We have had a lot of people ask us what is the difference between the Sierra County Humane Society, Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe, how these three entities are related to each other, and where does Sierra Animal Shelter fit into this?

1. The Sierra County Humane Society, Desert Haven Animal Refuge and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe are all under the same umbrella, which is a non-profit (501-C-3) animal welfare organization. We take unwanted, abandoned and abused animals off the streets, directly from their owners and also from the city shelter – Sierra Animal shelter. We give them sanctuary, food, and veterinary care, from whatever funds we are able to raise on our own. With the help of our volunteers, these animals also receive the one-on-one attention that they so richly deserve to help heal not only their bodies but also their hearts.

Our physical address is HWY 187, HC31 box 42, Williamsburg.

2. Sierra Animal Shelter is a business for profit. This for-profit business receives taxpayers dollars through contracts with the City of T or C, Sierra County, the state parks, Village of Williamsburg and City of Elephant Butte. Sierra Animal Shelter is associated with Hot Springs Animal Clinic. Both of these for-profit businesses are under the same private ownership. Their physical address is 1607 North Date Street, T or C.

Here are some more differences between the two entities described above.

1. Our Desert Haven is a No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary operated by volunteers. The number of animals we can rescue and care for is limited only by the amount of funding we ourselves can raise through community outreach events, private donations, and the available space within our facility. We care for all of them until they are adopted out or to the end of their natural life.

2. On the other hand, taxpayers’ funding covers Sierra Animal Shelter’s operating expenses and employees salaries. Through their contracts, they are obliged to accept all animals brought in from T or C and all of Sierra County and to dispose of them as per their contract and the Animal Control Ordinance. They also adopt out as many animals as they can. Because there are so many unwanted animals in Sierra County, the animals they cannot adopt out within a certain amount of time are euthanized. Sierra Animal Shelter does not have the No-Kill policy that we at Desert Haven have.

For as long as we can remember, folks have been confused about the differences between the Sierra County Humane Society and Sierra Animal Shelter. We hope that we have been able to clear this up for anyone who shares this confusion.
If you still have questions, feel free to contact us at 575-894-2778. For more information on the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc., Desert Haven Animal Refuge and P&C thrift Shoppe, visit our web site at www.DeserthavenAnimalRefuge.com, contact us at 894-2778 or 894-2639 or visit Desert Haven on Tuesday when it is open for visitors.

Week of 3/17/10 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin


Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe; T or C, New Mexico

The Sierra County Humane Society is a community oriented animal welfare organization that is entirely funded through private and corporate contributions and does not receive government funding, local or otherwise. It is through the efforts of volunteers that the Society generates the funds needed to support its Spay-neuter and Spay-a-stray programs, among others. Desert Haven Animal Refuge is a five-acre facility that operates under the umbrella of the Society and is funded entirely by the organization, which, by the way, is not affiliated to any other humane society in the country. It operates entirely on its own. Desert Haven is home to over 200 non-human residents, 35 of them are dogs and 36 are cats.

Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, located next to Family Dollar in T or C, is the major generator of funds for both the Sierra County Humane Society and Desert Haven Animal Refuge. Paws&Claws offers a large and ever-changing selection of new and gently used items that many local and out-of-town customers consider interesting and very reasonably priced. The shop is over 3700 sq ft and requires a lot of volunteer hours to operate and keep it open 4 days a week. In-kind donations arrive daily and everything is carefully sorted by Estella Groff, Janelle Clasen, Linda Clayton, Diana Rivera and “Bootz” Farrester. All of these volunteers have been reliable for several years now and very much depended on. Stephen Wagner sorts, tests, cleans, repairs and prices small electrical appliances and electronics in a work area inside the shop - “Stephen’s Electronics Unlimited” section – that he successfully took over several months ago. Diane Bellack handles all craft and sewing items from her home in Hillsboro. Jan Haley, also of Hillsboro, regularly drops-off at the shop the priced and attractively packaged sewing and craft merchandise. Annie Kile, who resides at Desert Haven, routinely stocks the store with newly priced items and she also updates the merchandise in the windows. Jody Koch, Freddie Loveless and shop manager Eliana Aubin also have specific responsibilities, which include tagging and pricing, also handling the sales and interacting with the customers.

We continue to receive much praise from our loyal customers who understand the work involved and the difficulties we encounter daily, such as a lack of an adequate volunteer crew for a shop this size and this busy, also, sadly, having to effectively and professionally deal with the select few locals who have made a habit of wanting-something-for-nothing. Most of those who patronize P&C are great customers who appreciate our efforts and hard work and who respect us for it. We are also appreciated for the community service that we provide by offering a large selection of varied and quality second-hand merchandise at very affordable prices. We are grateful for the patronage of our loyal local supporters and of the many out-of-town customers who make it a point to shop at P&C whenever they are in the area. To all of you, a sincere “Thank-you”.

We can be reached at 894-2778 for more information. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven

Week of 3/10/10 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin


DH volunteer Annie and her dog, Mac

This week again, we are sending an appeal to all our animal loving friends for their help in feeding the more than 200 feathered and furry residents at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, Sierra County’s No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary. DHAR is owned and operated by the Sierra County Humane Society, Inc., a 501-c-3 non-profit organization. Day after day, week after week, we feed an average of 34 dogs and 35 cats at the sanctuary.

Soon after Walmart opened its doors in our community, Desert Haven started to enjoy the mega store’s generous contributions of damaged bags of pet food that helped offset the high costs of feeding all its residents. At the same time, the store’s generosity allowed us to rescue even more dogs and cats than our limited resources would have allowed otherwise. In late November of last year, this vital flow of damaged bags of pet food was disrupted as a result of a change of management at WalMart. This is food that otherwise would simply be thrown in the trash, but to the rescued animals at DHAR, this is a gift of life. Until WalMart decides to resume its generous donations, we are asking our animal loving friends to please consider helping us out.

A puppy mill was recently closed down by Sierra County law enforcement officers. Desert Haven accepted to take in several of the tiny adult Chihuahuas, saving their lives in the process. When they arrived, all the little ones were very skinny and they also showed obvious socialization and other issues. The Desert Haven team took the little guy and girl-dogs under its wings and soon, we all could see their eyes start to shine a little more each day, as each little personality blossomed. Often, our customers at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe make it a point to praise us for what we do for the animals of Sierra County, and for what we achieve every day at the sanctuary. “You have accomplished nothing short of a miracle at Desert Haven” (thank- you, Judy, for your kind words).

Visit the sanctuary on a Tuesday. Take time to mingle among its residents as you stroll through Birdland, Dogtown and the Cool Cat Neighborhood. Then pause for a moment on one of the park benches near the Old West Placita, as you watch the volunteers go about their activities. Desert Haven has a heartbeat. It can be felt, especially on a Tuesday.

We can be reached at 894-2778 for more information. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven

Wek of 3/1/10 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin


Bill & Wolfie

This week, the Sierra County Humane Society (SCHS) wishes to acknowledge the dedicated work-camping crew currently residing at Desert Haven Animal Refuge (DHAR), Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary. Freddie, originally of Indiana, has made DHAR her home for the past 6 years. Over the years, Freddie has become a key ingredient in the success of the small but effective sanctuary. Reba, husband Gene and adult son Stephen of Tennessee settled at the sanctuary over a year ago and are now an integral part of its heart and soul. Annie moved to DHAR from New Jersey, together with husband Tom, who is now locally employed. Annie’s energy and talents, together with a strong desire to make a difference, make her an integral part of the DHAR team. Bill is originally from California and has recently relocated to DHAR with his inseparable fur-buddy - ”The Wolfman”. Bill enjoys beautifying his surroundings and the results are becoming impressive. Larry and Christy of Minnesota bring with them an extensive business and computer experience, strong professionalism as well as valuable animal expertise. Lisa and Claudine, DHAR’s most recent team members, are from Michigan. Their outgoing and friendly personality, matched by their strong work ethics and positive energy, make them especially enjoyable to work with and an asset to the entire operation.

Animal loving work campers come to Desert Haven from all over the US. Their talents, their skills and as importantly, their precious time, become the ingredients that help make Desert Haven the successful operation that it is today. Interested in becoming a work camper? contact us at 575-894-1694 or at workcamp4pets@gmail.com. Applications are also available on our web site.

This week’s high priority wish list: dry and canned dog food. It takes no less than 25 lbs of dry dog food every day, to feed the 35 residents of Dog Town. Our resources are limited – your generosity is crucial! Call us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778 for more information. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Visit Desert Haven on Tuesdays. Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, http://DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com and www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 2/21/10 Humane Happenings

Skye

by Eliana Aubin

Skye, one of the newest residents of Dog Town at Desert Haven, Sierra County’s no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, will soon be undergoing surgery, with the blessings of every member of the crew who feeds and cares for him. The handsome, good natured blue heeler Aussie mix had been rescued from the streets of Elephant Butte some weeks ago, during some of the coldest weather Sierra County endured this winter. He was cold, hungry and severely injured. Desert Haven became his new home.

Skye had been shot. The bullet was intended to kill him, but instead hit him in the shoulder. It severally damaged his shoulder blade, leaving many pieces of embedded shrapnel in his limb. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous contributor who recently sent a donation in memory of her late husband, a kind man who loved all animals, the surgery to remove the shrapnel will soon become reality. Skye is receiving a lot of loving attention at DHAR, and everyone hopes that the surgery will allow him to live every day of the rest of his life, as safe and as free of pain that any living creature deserves in this world.

This week, we wish to remind our readers that the Sierra county Humane Society collects Bullocks receipts and also aluminum cans to help fund its spay-neuter program. You can drop off your receipts at Paws & Claws thrift shoppe, and your bags of aluminum cans in the Can Corral next to the shop, which is located across the alley from Family Dollar in T or C. Applications for the spay/neuter program are available at the T or C Police Station and also at Paws & Claws. For more information on the program, contact us at 894-2778. In the USA, Euthanasia is the leading cause of death for cats and dogs. You love animals? Then have your companion animal sterilized.

Dog and cat food, both dry and canned, is at the top of our priority list this week. Your donated pet food can be dropped off at Desert Haven or P&C thrift shop during business hours. Please note that anything left unattended in front of the shop outside of business hours often makes it into the wrong hands and disappears before it can be secured. Call us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778 for more information. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.blogspot.com. You can also chat with us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 2/14/10 Humane Happenings

Daisy

by Eliana Aubin

Finally the warmer weather is attempting to settle down into the beautiful Rio Grande Corridor and Sierra County. It’s been a cold winter by most standards. At least that’s how we feel at Desert Haven, Sierra County’s No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary. Thanks to Jeanette Galliard of Albuquerque and the bales of straw that she routinely brings to Desert Haven Animal Refuge, each and every dog house in the play yards of Dog Town is lined with straw all winter – the best type of winter insulation that we have found so far for our large dogs. Except for the little guys who would not think of ripping apart their cozy comforters and warm blankets, that type of bedding used inside the dog houses and doggie condos soon find its way all over the play yards, either torn in small pieces or as part of some tug-of-war toys our dogs seem to thoroughly enjoy. Needless to say, we reserve the blankets and comforters for all the small dogs under our care and protection at the sanctuary. Jeanette also supplies Desert Haven with alfalfa year ‘round for our small army of guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks, chickens and roosters and of course, our flocks of domesticated ring neck and white doves. Jeanette has been a long time supporter of Sierra County’s no-kill animal refuge and her timely contributions are always very much needed and most appreciated.

It was Thanksgiving revisited for the little dogs at Desert Haven this past Tuesday, as the volunteers opened a large package sent all the way from Minnesota by Michele Tjaden. It was filled with very stylish and warm doggie coats of all colors, together with “gentle leaders”. A very nice gesture indeed, from an out-of-state friend of DHAR.

This week, dry and canned dog and cat food is at the top of our priority list. An average of 30 canines and 35 felines eat a lot every day. Donations can be dropped off at Desert Haven on Tuesdays, when it is open to visitors, or at Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe during business hours. We can be contacted at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com You can also chat with us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 2/7/10 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Dogtown fence in snow

Abandoning a companion animal is now a crime in New Mexico. The Sierra County Humane Society pledges to prosecute to the full extent of the law anyone witnessed abandoning their unwanted companion animal. If you see someone “dumping” a companion animal on the side of a road, near the river or in any neighborhood, please take the license number of the vehicle and any other pertinent information. Then contact our animal welfare organization at 575-894-2778 or 575-894-1694 or 575-894-2639. We will prosecute.

Several years ago, an incident involving a local man seen dangling a kitty by his tail over an enclosed pen occupied by both a pit bull and a boxer, was publicized by our organization all over New Mexico. We became involved. Since then, the District Attorney’s office is allowing a representative of the Sierra County Humane Society to speak in the courtroom on behalf of any local animal victim. Hurray for District Attorney Clint Wellborn and his staff for giving a voice – ours - to Sierra County’s voiceless animal victims.

Companion animals abandoned in front of Desert Haven do not know which way to turn for safety and they usually end up dead or dying before anyone even knows they are there. Sierra Animal Shelter in TorC accepts, free of charge to their owners and no questions asked, any unwanted animal. Our own organization provides rebate certificates for folks who wish to have their dog or cat sterilized. The forms are available at the TorC police station, Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Hot Springs Animal Clinic. Contact us at 575-894-2778 for more information.

Birdland in snow

This week, we wish to thank St Cloud Mining for their twice-a-year contribution to Desert Haven Animal Refuge of an entire pallet of kitty litter. The folks at St Cloud Mining are only a phone call away: we can count on them and we sincerely appreciate their generosity. Recently, the dogs and cats of DHAR became the lucky recipients of a large container full of “yummy” doggy and kitty treats, courtesy of the Carson’s, Desert Haven’s neighbors. What a nice couple indeed!

A letter arrived to DHAR from AZ recently. It touched everyone’s heart. It said” I found your web site through petfinder.com. I supported Best Friends from its very beginning. Now they are big time with movie stars & other celebrities. I don’t feel like my small donation matters. Therefore I am sending you that “small donation” as I am sure you need it much more than they do. I admire your efforts. I hope this will help. Thank you for caring for the animals.”

Everyone who helps us in some way becomes an integral part of what we do for the animals of Sierra County. We can be contacted at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778. Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com You can also chat with us at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.

Week of 2/3/10 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin
Skye

This week, we thank all animal loving individual and business entities who support Desert Haven Animal Refuge in some way. Without you, we at DHAR would not be able to give our furry and feathered friends the care that visitors to the small No-Kill domestic animal sanctuary comment on and even admire.

Our latest major accomplishment: little Snoopy. This little dog has a new life. Not only he was saved from a agonizing death, but he has now recovered from surgery, and is also adopted into the very best home we could have found for him. The little guy had gone through so much hardship in his short life: abandoned last Fall to fend for himself close to a very busy street, he was also kicked very hard, a blow that broke his jaw. He would have starved to death or been hit by a vehicle had he not be rescued and cared for at DHAR. The surgery performed was costly, but necessary, to help give this little boy-dog a better life. Thank you, everyone, for helping us make it happen.

There is Luke, the then-teenage kitty who came to DHAR with a badly misshapen and distorted back leg – a very cumbersome and probably painful dead-weight little Luke had to drag behind him. We opted for surgery for him, and now, Luke has started on a new life, full of love and kindness, and free from his dead-weight, courtesy of the DHAR supporters and volunteers who made it happen.

There is Whitney, rescued at DHAR in 2009 after being found wandering the countryside with a little companion. At the sanctuary, we realized that something was wrong with the little girl-dog, and a visit with the vet confirmed our suspicions: Whitney had been kicked in the stomach so hard that she would die soon without intensive surgery to repair the damage. The choice was clear: we needed to give back Whitney a chance at life. Two intensive surgeries later, Whitney is doing well and loving the attention she is receiving at the home of one of DHAR staff members.

And now there is Skye. This young and handsome Blue Heeler Aussie mix was found around Christmas on a street in Elephant Butte. Badly limping, he also had open wounds around the neck, which we assumed were from a fight. He was rescued at DHAR. X Rays showed that someone had shot him, damaging his shoulder blade with embedded fragments from a bullet that hit the bone, sparing his life but leaving him in pain. The anti-inflammatory medicine we give him every morning is not working and surgery is the next course of action, to remove as many pieces of shrapnel as possible, and give the muscles a chance to heal. Once again, we need your help. Skye deserves love and loving care and for the pain to go away. You can make a donation through our Causes page on Facebook or though PayPal.

We cannot save all the unwanted dogs and cats of Sierra County, but we change the lives of those that we can save, and that is one of our organization’s most worthwhile accomplishments. Interested in learning more about us? Contact us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2778; Write us at POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87901. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com and become a Facebook fan at www.Facebook.com/deserthaven.