Welcome to the Haven 

Where our goals are simple, but critical to the lives of people and animals.

• Improving the lives of children through our pet therapy program… one child at a time.
• Educating people to be responsible pet owners… one person at a time.
• Saving the lives of helpless animals… one life at a time.
• Changing the world to a kinder and more peaceful place… one day at a time.

We are asking you to join us and to find your own way to make a difference.

Latest Updates

We would like to thank everyone who came out to Pet Photos with Santa and Lights at the Haven.  They were both a huge success and wouldn't have been a success without you.

We have also updated our volunteer section to include our current volunteer needs.  As always we need general help at the Haven, but currently we have several specific opportunities.  For more information about these opportunities and to find out about our ongoing need for volunteers click the Ways To Help link.

What is the Haven?

The Haven is a non-profit, no-kill shelter for abandoned, ill, and injured animals.  The Haven was founded by Dr. Brenda and Joe Wilbanks, and the initial plan was simple.  Help a few animals.  They never dreamed that someday they would be providing shelter and care for over 300 animals, consisting of more than 200 dogs, 80 cats, 2 pigs, and several horses.  In addition to many special needs animals, such as those with chronic illnesses or the elderly, the Haven also shelters a wide variety of adpotable dogs and cats in need of good, loving homes. 

As well as sheltering abandoned animals, the Haven offers a pet therapy program as a service to the community.  Through the program we hope to teach respect for animals and educate the community about the value they provide.  The Haven also offers a children’s program known as “Pets as Pals.”  The program allows children the opportunity to interact with pets in a controlled environment and develop skills for life. 

Since the Haven is a private foundation there are two things we can never have enough of: donations and volunteers.  The Haven receives no money from the government and is supported mainly by the Wilbanks.  We do have many wonderful people who have donated money, supplies, building materials, and their time, but we can always use more.  To find out more click the donations or Ways To Help link to the left.

Note:  We try our best to keep the website up to date, but most of our time is spent caring for the animals.  If you can’t find what you are looking for online, please come on out to the Haven during our hours of operation.

Get Acquainted with the Haven -- A Guide to our Web Site

Be sure to visit all the interesting areas on our web site.

Donations -- We always need help caring for the dogs and cats at the Haven-- click here to help us care for our animal friends who are hoping for homes and those who must live here permanently.

Adoptions -- This is where you'll find our adoptable pets-- just follow the links to all our dog pics and bios.  Be sure to see the details-- you can either follow the links under ADOPTIONS or go to petfinder.com and put in 79403 for the Zip code search.  If you can't adopt a pet and take it home, then get a "virtual pet" through our Adoption Option-- learn more here.  This is the perfect option for students and others who can't have a pet at home.

Haven Events -- The Haven holds several annual events to raise money; more information about these events can be found in this section.

Ways To Help -- We will continue to update this section to give you some ideas about how you can help.

More About Us -- Here you can find out the latest Haven news and learn about the Haven board and our Haven partners.

Dogs of the Month -- Our featured dogs!  (Also don't miss the "former featured dogs" on the Dog of the Month page-- these are some very worthwhile pets who have having a hard time getting past their bad luck!) 

This month our featured dogs are Bo and Champ.