In Loving Memory:
Eliana Aubin’s Enduring Legacy

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
~Lao Tzu

With profound gratitude and deep respect, we gather to celebrate the extraordinary life of Eliana Aubin—a compassionate soul whose unwavering dedication illuminated the path to a better life for countless animals. Eliana’s indomitable spirit and the founding of the Sierra County Humane Society (SCHS) stand as testaments to her enduring love for all creatures.

In the hallowed halls of the T or C Public Library in 1989, Eliana, along with a group of like-minded advocates, embarked on a journey to transform the fate of companion animals in Sierra County. Their dream materialized as the Sierra County Humane Society (SCHS) which still thrives to this day.

Eliana’s vision surpassed the confines of a mere organization. In 1999, her tenacity led to the acquisition of the land that would become Desert Haven Animal Refuge (DHAR) which continues to be open for business. The Paws & Claws Thrift Shoppe, which was sadly closed permanently in 2021, played a pivotal role in fundraising for the refuge’s creation.

The pages of time turned, revealing SCHS’s resourcefulness and the community’s unwavering support. Annual Have-a-Heart Dinners blossomed into vibrant dinner-dances, uniting fellow animal enthusiasts and generating crucial resources. Collecting aluminum cans, redeeming Bullocks receipts, and relying on the boundless generosity of supporters became the lifeblood of programs such as Fix Your Pet and Spay-a-Stray.

Now, under new management and operated by devoted board members, volunteers, and work-campers, DHAR thrives as a rescue where unwanted animals experience quality care and adoption.