Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary was started in 1996 by Juanita Fisher.  She had been a visitor/volunteer at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, and wanted the same type of organization for Dona Ana County. She invited Faith Mahoney, Best Friends Director, to come to Las Cruces to address people who might be interested in animal rescue and adoption. About 150 people attended the talk, some of whom are still with Safe Haven.  
 

With no funding and no permanent location, Juanita set out to rescue as many cats and dogs as possible.

Juanita's friends, Gitti and Ken Cronin also rescued animals. They lived on five acres on the east mesa and they agreed to take more animals on a temporary basis. The Cronins and their children cared for the animals until adoptive homes could be found 
 

A short time after starting the project, a man from Deming offered SHAS 110 acres for $1.00 a year on a hundred-year lease. It was very exciting, so the land was cleared, roads were graded, storm drains installed, and a well and pump were put in. With a great deal of hoopla, a huge sign was erected declaring this as SAFE HAVEN ANIMAL SANCTUARY. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the well would not support the operation that was planned, and there were no water rights that could be bought from the surrounding parcels.  
 

So, SHAS was on hold for a while until the Cronins decided to move. SHAS purchased 2.7 acres from them and decided to make this their permanent home. Moving to the Cronin Ranch involved a lot of work and improvements were made to the property.  Shortly after this, Juanita decided to move to Texas and a Board of Directors was selected and SHAS became a not for profit corporation.  
 

Fund raising, as with most not for profits, was a major problem, and we have experienced most of the trials of them all.  Some grants have been solicited, and a few have been successful, but not nearly enough to cover expenses.  Our major source of funding were generous donations and bequeaths from estates of Safe Haven supporters.  The SHAS Thrift Shop was established to help pay expenses. The first thrift shop was a small area (about 4' x 4') in the small off ice on Lohman. It was stocked with small items purchased from a 'junk catalog, pens, note pads, junk jewelry, small toys, etc. Needless to say, it didn't pay for many bags of pet food. The next store was on the comer of Solano and Madrid, and was always full of items donated by many wonderful friends. However, there were too few volunteers, so the items were put out regardless of condition, and so it was a typical 'thift' shop. Our current location at 144 Wyatt Drive has professional management and the shop has evolved into a classy, well-organized store.  Our Thrift shop provides 65% of the funds needed to run the sanctuary. 
 

Of course, the whole purpose of SHAS has been the animals. It is estimated that over 1,000 have been rescued and placed in adoptive homes. Since all have been spayed/neutered, that equals several thousand animals no longer wandering the streets of Las Cruces. And some of the animals who are not eligible for adoption will live out their lives in comfort. Buford, the fierce guard dog who now moans with pleasure when his ears are scratched or a treat offered, Blackie and Pillow who suffer from feline leukemia, these and more will live out their lives in comfort. 
 

Safe Haven exists because of the generosity of our many benefactors who donate items and money. And without our volunteers, several hundred over the years, Safe Haven would never have been able to take in and care for the animals. These who have given many hours, hard work and funding have earned a gold star in the overall picture.