Week of 9/1/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

“Hi there! Some of you may not know me but you might have seen me running back-and-forth around town. I am the “IM4PETS” Toyota work-truck. I have been working hard for the Sierra County Humane Society for over 25 years. I am pretty old now of course, a little on the decrepit side in some ways, but still running strong and dependable.

I am a hard working little truck, a one-person truck. I don’t let anyone drive me except my owner. She is the one that gases me up, changes my oil, buys me new tires, and covers me with insurance in case I get hurt. She does all of this out of her own pocket. Nobody else but her. Not even the non-profit organization I volunteer for pays for any of this.

 For the last 25 years now, I have moved mountains, literally – mountains of dirt, refuse, but also furniture and bags and boxes of donations of all types. I do all of this for Desert Haven Animal Refuge and also Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe, which helps supports the Sierra County Humane Society. When parked at Paws & Claws waiting for my owner who volunteers there from opening to closing time several times a week, I get loaded with all sorts of donations needed at Desert Haven, such as office supplies, pet food, also bedding for the furry and feathered residents who live there. By the end of each work day, I have done my part. I do this because it needs to get done and I am needed. I do this because I am the only truck available and also willing to do what needs to be done without asking for any compensation of any type.

Every year for the past 25 years, I have accumulated thousands and thousands of miles, all of them in the service of the Sierra County Humane Society.

So if you see a faded white, over-loaded 1988 Toyota Pick-up truck with the “IM4PETS” license plate driving around town, just know it’s me, and I will keep doing what I am doing as long as I can still roll. "



This week’s wish list: Canned dog food, volunteers at Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Desert Haven. Contact us at 575.894.1694 or 575.894.2639 or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. and www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven and www.Facebook.com/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 7/13/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Trying hard to please

 Desert Haven Animal Refuge enjoyed the visit of several local individuals last Tuesday, including a couple looking to adopt a young Dachshund mix, either from our sanctuary or our Adopt-a-Pet Referral program. Desert Haven has been home to two Chi-Weenies-with-Personality for a couple of years now - Sandy and Daisy. Our goal is to adopt them out together. They have been together their whole life and our Desert Haven staff would find it cruel to let one move on to a new home, leaving the other little one behind without her life-long companion. Call Desert Haven at 575-894-1694 for more information.

Interested in adopting a 2 years old, sterilized female Bobtail cat? This little one desperately needs a new forever home. Call the owner at 575-894-0162.

Did you watch Channel 4 News a couple of evenings ago? Some deadbeat was caught on camera, stealing from donations bins outside of a Goodwill Store in Albuquerque. Over time, he had accumulated enough stolen property to be charged with a fourth degree felony. Justice at last! Here in Sierra County, the work of our animal welfare organization is supported entirely through the donations of our members. Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe, located adjacent to Family Dollar in TorC, is an integral part of that support. The profits from the sale of items at the store benefit the entire community, through programs that would not be available otherwise. So when someone is caught ( photos will help) stealing either from inside the donation box or from donated items deposited after hours in front of Paws&Claws or from inside the store during business hours, that person is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. If you have information you wish to share with us on this, contact us at 575-894-2639 or at weR4pets@gmail.com.

Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Desert Haven Animal Refuge need volunteer helpers this summer. Our wish list also includes several heavy duty 50 ft long water hoses, large bottles of Clorox bleach and Odorban, also remnant of indoor-outdoor carpet.

Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, also www.Facebook.com/DesertHavenAnimalRefuge and www.Facebook.com/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe. You can also visit Desert Haven any Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM.

Week of 7/6/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana C. Aubin

MAKE A DONATION

Bonnie Waters, a life-long resident of Truth or Consequences, recently passed away in Las Cruces. Bonnie’s daughter - Colleen Pullen – lives in Las Cruces. She had just moved her mother there to better care for her medical needs. Animals were a very important part of Bonnie’s life. To honor her memory, her family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Desert Haven Animal Refuge, where several of her fur-kids were adopted from. Bonnie Waters’ love for animals is being recognized in a way that allows her to leave a legacy of kindness even long after her passing.

The work of the Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge is supported entirely through the donations of our members and friends of animals. Through the generous hearts and hands of people like Bonnie, her daughter Colleen and all the kind folks who support our efforts, we can ensure that animals who come into the care of Desert Haven will never again be alone, hungry, sick, afraid or in pain.

Why take exercise so seriously when it can be fun? What’s wrong with “fetch” or “chase”? At Desert Haven, we have canines who would love nothing more than become an integral part of your routine exercise schedule. At this time of the year, morning animal care starts at 7:30 every morning and lasts until 10:30AM.

Aside from volunteer help, this week’s wish list includes several heavy duty water hoses, large bottles of Clorox bleach and Odorban, also remnant of indoor-outdoor carpet. We are actively looking for a good used refrigerator. The one inside the kitchen at Desert Haven was already old when donated many years ago. It no longer cools efficiently and soon will be a thing of the past. Can you help?

Contact us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2639. weR4pets@gmail.com. Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, also www.Facebook.com/DesertHavenanimalrefuge and www.Facebook.com/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe. You can also visit Desert Haven any Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM.

Week of 6/29/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana C. Aubin

Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe Management Team

It’s especially hot and dry this summer in our Desert Southwest. The wonderful birds that visit our yards will appreciate that we keep our bird baths filled with fresh water at all times. Our companion animals suffer as we do. They need us to provide for them a continuous supply of fresh, cool water and especially plenty of shade when they spend time outside our homes. Shame on the folks who keep their dog tied in their yard, most especially at this time of the year. If you see a dog outside, either tied up or in an enclosure, without an adequate - and easily accessible - supply of fresh water or shade, contact Dispatch at 575-894-7111. Request for the Animal control Officer on duty to investigate. Also ask for that ACO to call you back and let you know that the problem has been solved. It will make you feel more at ease to know that you – and the ACO – have made a difference in the life on that specific animal. It is unacceptable that some folks keep their dog tied outside in this heat, and also unacceptable that many neighbors or “friends” refuse to ‘get involved” because of “possible retaliation”. When animals suffer needlessly, it is our moral duty to speak out. We are their voice after all. And who will protect them if we don’t?

We understand you mean to be kind in taking your dog with you shopping. But you could be risking his or her life when you do so. On an 85* day for example, even with the windows slightly open, the inside of a car can climb to 102* in 10 minutes, to 130* in 30 minutes. Just think how unbearably hot your car quickly becomes when the temperature is 100* outside. Keep your dog at home when you go shopping, it’s the kindest thing you can do for him or her. If your dog is overcome by heat exhaustion, immediately soak him or her down with water and take to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Want to know more about our animal welfare organization? Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, also www.Facebook.com/DesertHavenanimalrefuge and www.Facebook.com/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe. Contact us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2639 or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com. You can also visit Desert Haven any Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Thank you all for your support.

Week of 6/21/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Mary Jo and Denny sort through donations to Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe

 Summer is here! At this time of the year, Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe and Desert Haven Animal Refuge are experiencing their seasonal dilemma: the need for new volunteers through July and August. Our animal welfare organization routinely networks with other local non-profit agencies and everyone shares the same dilemma: not enough volunteer helpers. This is the time of the year when local folks enjoy vacation with family and friends, week-end outings at the lake, camping trips in the Gila Wilderness. Consequently, new helpers at currently needed, both at Desert Haven and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC.

Want to know more about us? Visit us at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, also www.Facebook.com/DesertHavenanimalrefuge and www.Facebook.com/Pawsnclawsthriftshoppe. Contact us at 575-894-1694 or 894-2639. You can also visit Desert Haven any Tuesday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. You are welcome to stay for our Tuesday “Breaking Bread” Pot Luck lunch at 1 PM. If you prefer to volunteer at Paws&Claws, visit during business hours: Wednesday through Saturday, 10-4PM. We are also open the first and second Tuesday of every month. Eliana (P&C manager) and Denny (P&C Assistant manager) make an exceptionally strong team. Their team effort at the store is finally showing.

Paws&Claws sincerely appreciates the business of a variety of routine customers from all over, including Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Las Cruces and El Paso. Our store is fortunate to also attract out-of-state travelers who are visiting our area. We must be doing something right indeed, when these worldly and often very selective customers give our store such good scores about our customer service, the variety of the items we sell and, as importantly, our bargain prices. When these customers find out where the P&C profits go, they are even more supportive.

This week’s wish list: stringed tags /pricing labels and safety pins to use at P&C; At the sanctuary: Large bottles of Odorban; Heavy duty Shop Vac in good working condition; Leaf blower – preferably gas operated; Remnants of indoor-outdoor carpet for our current Cool Cat Neighborhood project. Thank-you all for your continued support.

Week of 6/15/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Wild Goose Rd. at Desert Haven

For a number of years now, the Sierra County Humane Society (SCHS) has raised funds in many ways to benefit its Spay-Neuter and Spay-a-Stray programs. The SCHS “Pennies for Pets” program is managed by Josephine. She routinely collects donations from our organization’s Doggie Banks located in several local businesses. Tim manages the collection of Aluminum cans which are deposited in the “Can Corral” located next to Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC. Tina and her husband Randy have recently volunteered to help Tim transport and redeem the cans as needed.

Your Bullocks receipts can bring much needed funding for our organization’s Spay-Neuter program! Save them and ask your friends to save them too! You can drop them off at Paws&Claws, either inside the shop or through the special “Bullocks Receipts” slot located on the front of the large P&C Donation Box. We also have collection boxes at the Williamsburg Post Office and the TorC Public Library. For every bundle of one thousand dollars worth of Bullocks receipts tallied by Josephine, our home-town Grocery Store donates $2 to our organization. It adds up and our Spay-Neuter program benefits greatly from the generous contribution Bullocks routinely makes in this way to our non-profit organization.

A young, smart, housetrained female blue heeler needs a new home. She is sterilized and her shots are up to date; Call 575-497-0310. Lydia at 575-740-3496 needs to find a good home for several black-white kittens. A very small terrier and a young Jack Russell need a new home; Call Cassie at 575-740-5310. A pair of peacocks is available for adoption at Desert Haven; Call 575-894-1694 or contact us at Adoptapet4life@gmail for more information.

This week’s wish list for the sanctuary: heavy duty Shop vacuum in good working condition; leaf blower – preferably gas operated; several remnants of indoor-outdoor carpet for one of our Cool Cat Neighborhood’s priority projects.

Check-out our web site at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Chat with us on www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven and also www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe Facebook pages. Desert Haven is open to visitors every Tuesday, between 9AM and 4 PM.

Wek of 6/8/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Eliana Aubin and furry friend

The Sierra County Humane Society operates the Adopt-a-Pet Referral program. It is geared to help out residents of Sierra County who need to give up a companion animal, but hesitate in dropping-off their beloved dog, cat or bird at the T or C City Shelter located on Date Street.

This is how it works: folks who need to give-up a companion animals have the opportunity to be placed in direct contact with others who would like to adopt a specific companion animal or bird directly from the owner. As always, we remind the animal owners to carefully screen anyone wanting to take the animal off their hands. After all, it is public knowledge that too many unscrupulous individuals are traveling throughout our state and beyond in search of “Free to Good Home” dogs and cats. The companion animals obtained in this way are often sold for profit to Research Labs in and around our state. Just as tragic, others end-up at the hands of Dog Fighters. They are used as Bait Dogs to help train Pit Bulls to kill. Let’s not fool ourselves: Dog fighting - although illegal – is still anchored right here in Sierra County.

Through our organization’s Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, we publicize the information on both our Facebook pages at www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven and www.Facebook.com/PawsnClawsThriftShoppe, also in our weekly Humane Happenings article, generously printed by this newspaper. We also post it on our Desert Haven Petfinder page. As always, we keep that information handy whenever someone inquires with our organization about adoptable animals or birds. Contact us at 575-894-1694 or e-mail us at Adoptapet4life@gmail.com.

Several very young black-white kittens need a home. If interested in adopting one or a couple of them, contact Lydia at 575-740-3496. Perhaps you prefer to adopt a very small terrier, or a young adult Jack Russell. Contact Cassie at 575-740-5310. Do you have a large aviary or a fenced area safe from predators? We have a pair of young adult peacocks available for adoption. Contact us at 575-894-1694.

This week’s wish list: Heavy duty Shop Vacuum in good working condition. Leaf blower – preferably gas operated. Indoor-outdoor carpet remnants.

A huge thank-you goes to Camille of Florida, for maintaining our professional looking web site www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. since 2006.

Week of 5/24/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Kitties new toy

The mission of the Sierra County Humane Society is to protect and care for the abandoned and mistreated companion animals of Sierra County. When we expect it the least and need it the most, Good Fortune usually finds a way of landing on our doorstep.

The Sierra County Humane Society has received a huge boost recently. It is generally difficult for any non-profit organization to find volunteer help. It is even more difficult to find quality volunteers and experienced professional staff. The bulk of the work we do depends on a capable and caring but non-professional volunteer staff. It is a rare bonus to receive volunteers who have a background in the Animal Welfare profession. This fortunate situation is where we are finding ourselves in. With the arrival of two very qualified individuals who recently moved to Desert Haven from Tucson AZ, we currently have an excellent quality staff made up of both back-ground and non-background Animal Welfare people.

Are you interested in adopting a young, very small Terrier mix? Perhaps you prefer to give a loving home to a young adult Jack Russell mix? Contact Cassie at 575-740-5310. Cassie is moving and can no longer keep her little ones. Through our organization’s Adopt-a-Pet Referral program, we connect individuals who need to find a new loving home for their companion animals with those who would like to adopt one. Contact us at 575-894-1694 or e-mail us at Adoptapet4life@gmail.com.

Check our updated web site at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com. Chat with us at: www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, and www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 5/17/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin  

At this time of the year, Desert Haven Animal Refuge and the Sierra County Humane Society are transitioning into their routine summer schedule. Indeed, life is going at a slower pace at the sanctuary. The seasonal helpers at Desert Haven and Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe have already moved back to their home states up-North. Local folks who help out on a long-term basis spend much of the summer attending family business or enjoying vacations which more often than not take them out of the area for weeks at a time. During the hot summer months, there are also fewer visitors at the sanctuary. There are fewer adoptions too. It does not make the work-load any less. If anything, with the heat, both at the sanctuary and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe in TorC, fewer volunteers available translate into more work for a skeleton staff. Regardless, the sanctuary’s furry and feather residents continue to receive the daily care and attention that they require, no matter what.

The Sierra County Humane Society is formally registered with the IRS as a 501-C-3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the welfare of animals. Since 1989, we have earned our exemplary reputation through the selfless efforts of many caring volunteers and work-campers, some of whom have come and gone throughout the years. Some of our strongest supporters are reputable home-town businesses who know us and the work we do. Year after year, we continue to be true to our mission of caring for the abandoned and mistreated companion animals of Sierra County.

Thank you, Camille, for maintaining our www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com web site, all the way from your home state of Florida. Your busy career as an RV Sales Consultant for Camping World of Bartow in Florida leaves you with very little free time. Still, you manage to donate some of it to our cause. Over the eight years of your involvement with us as our web master, you have stayed true to your word; year after year, you continue to do what you can to help us help companion animals in our area. You are indeed a remarkable individual, Camille!

Contact us at 575-894-1694, 894-2639 or at weR4pets@gmail.com. Chat with us at: www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, and www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 5/11/14 Humane Happenings

Jmes Bagwell, CPA, works on Sierra County Humane Society taxes

 by Eliana Aubin

This week, The Sierra County Humane Society & Desert Haven Animal Refuge acknowledge once again a very supportive community. James Bagwell is a CPA with a busy office in TorC.
 
Year after year, Mr. Bagwell handles our animal welfare organization’s tax returns, completely free-of-charge to us.



 

Atty. John Wheeler at work

Attorney John Wheeler is an equally valuable asset to our organization. We rely on his legal expertise, which he provides to us as needed, also pro-bono. The guidance and services from well-respected professionals such as CPA James Bagwell and Attorney-at-law John Wheeler have been invaluable over the years. We are indeed extremely grateful to count them as some of our organization’s strongest long-term supporters.

Good news about Gummy Bear “Aka Gumbo”, the young female Chihuahua rescued some months ago from a vehicle discarded in a wrecking yard. After several months of rehabilitation at the sanctuary, the little one was fostered by Beth, a TorC winter resident at the time. When Beth recently returned to her home state of Minnesota, Kendall, another winter resident, took Gumbo under her wings and will soon finalize the paperwork to adopt her before returning home.

Desert Haven is known by many to be a spiritual place. Those who share the good work that is accomplished there every day often tell us that they see Desert Haven as a place that is good for the soul. Most of our little rescues arrive with scars, both physical and emotional. Here at the sanctuary, they are treated with kindness, patience, compassion and respect at all times. Theses innocent creatures deserve no less. Our little Gumbo was obviously surrounded by guardian angels. Tim discovered her and rescued her, and Beth took her in her home and furthered her rehabilitation by caring for her with patience and compassion.

Animal loving work-campers and winter residents will slowly return to our area and help out again at Desert Haven next Fall. Until then, we need the help of adult individuals at the sanctuary and at Paws&Claws. Contact us at 575-894-2639 or e-mail us at weR4pets@gmail.com. Chat with us at: www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, and www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 4/27/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Donated food comes in

 This week, the Sierra County Humane Society wishes to acknowledge the generosity of SunValley Hardware and of Horsing ‘Round Feed and Tack store, located in TorC. Both businesses recently contributed several bags of pet food to our organization. We are indeed grateful to all the local businesses that help us out in some way or another throughout the year. Our acknowledgement includes the local media. Both local newspapers kindly publish our “Humane Happenings” articles every week. These articles give our organization the opportunity to share with our animal loving friends, local and from out-of-town, the good news about Sierra County’s animal welfare organization and its no-kill domestic animal sanctuary, Desert Haven Animal Refuge. We are a small but very active community-minded organization dedicated to the welfare of companion animals in our area. What we accomplish with our limited resources definitely makes a difference in the lives of companion animals in Sierra County.

 Are you a bird-lover? Then come on down some Tuesday and spend time among our domesticated ring-neck and white doves and also our peacocks. They love sunflower seeds, so bring some with you and you will certainly enjoy watching them all around you and fly right up to you to eat this delicacy, sometimes directly from your hands.

To all our thrifty shoppers: we are adding another business day to Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe. Our regular business days have been Wed through Saturday 11AM to 4 PM. The first and second Tuesday of each month, Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe will also open for business from 11AM to 4 PM. We continue to need volunteers at the store, to help keep the store attractive and our customers happy.

At Desert Haven, volunteers are also needed on Tuesdays, anytime between 8 AM and 4 PM. We need someone to greet our Tuesday visitors and handle routine paperwork and our phone line, walk some of our canines and groom our felines. On Tuesdays, we also need someone to sort through, tag and price sewing, knitting and craft items that are then displayed at Paws & Claws.

 Contact us at 575-894-2639 or at weR4pets@gmail.com.

Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, and www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.

Week of 4/20/14 Humane Happenings

by Eliana Aubin

Gummy Bear

Gummy Bear “Aka Gumbo” is a young female Chihuahua rescued by a member of the Sierra County Humane Society and active Desert Haven Animal Refuge volunteer. Tim discovered the starving and frightened puppy by accident this past winter. She had been abandoned inside a vehicle discarded in a salvage yard on the outskirts of Albuquerque. It took Tim much effort, determination and patience over several weeks to trap the little one, to save her from a slow and certain death and give her a new lease-on-life at Desert Haven. Several weeks later, Beth, a local winter resident, volunteered to foster little Gumbo until adoption or until Beth returned to her home state up-North. Beth is returning home for the summer in a few days. Gumbo desperately needs a new foster mom or a Forever Home. Contact us at 985-640-4116 or adoptapet4life@gmail.com.

This week’s wish list: someone to donate time and/or material to help us lay several 3 to 4 ft square cement slabs inside the fenced outdoor Cat Walk. Our resident felines would appreciate the luxury of new areas to snooze their days away. Our volunteer team would also very much appreciate the new & improved, easy-to-clean cement flooring in parts of the Cat Walk.

Interested in helping get this project off the ground? You can send your contribution earmarked for the “Cat Walk Cement Project” at Desert Haven Animal Refuge, POB 638, Williamsburg, NM 87942. Do you prefer to give us a hand by donating your services? Let us know at 575-894-2639 or weR4pets@gmail.com. We need your help to see this project through, one cement slab at a time.

Charlotte and Gerald will soon be moving on from Desert Haven where they work-camped since spring 2013. This wonderful, hard-working couple has made many, many friends in this little corner of the world. Both will be sorely missed. At this time of the year, Desert Haven and Paws&Claws Thrift Shoppe are also losing the dependable help from several local winter residents. Until late summer and early fall, when our sanctuary winter work-campers and seasonal Sierra County residents return, we need several adult individuals to give us a helping hand for at least a couple of hours a week, either at the sanctuary or at Paws&Claws. Contact us at 575-894-2639.

Check us out at www.DesertHavenAnimalRefuge.com, www.Facebook.com/DesertHaven, and www.Facebook.com/pawsnclawsthriftshoppe.