It’s finally here! Our 2016 doggie and kitty fundraiser to benefit Kitty Wits and Precious Den’s; our two favorite caretaker gals helping animals to be happy and healthy throughout their lives, no matter how short those lives may be.
We get together once a year to throw a fundraiser for the animals and ask for your help. Either shopping or donating items to buy, you can join the fun by being a part of this life-changing experience. This year we are saving money for the animals by teaming up with SacValleyAuction in Woodland and they will be selling ALL items online so you can sit in your birthday suit at home and buy buy buy anything you want day or night. No big long drive, no unexpected long line when you arrive, just shop at your leisure and get exactly what you want. This may be just the ticket for some of you less hardy folks who don’t like to wait outside a house sale overnight to get that special something for a friend or family member. Now you don’t have to sign up and wait in the cold. Just relax by your fireplace at home with your laptop and shop to your heart’s content. We will have lots of updated photos by Monday evening. Thanks for the interest in our fundraisers.
Jen and crew

Not Exactly Fundraising Event…But A Lovely Christmas Concert Instead

Saturday December 27th 6pm-9pm

Our Dear Natalie Joy In Concert Singing and Playing Piano

Hello all! I just want to thank everyone who attended the concert for your presence and your incredibly generous donations. You are all such an immense blessing to me and I am so grateful for you in my life! I had such a delightful evening with you and I am excited to use your gifts to work on more music in the future! Looking forward to many concerts and dinners to come,
Natalie Joy

This past Christmas Season Jennie Krausse, the patrons and the staff of Estate Sales Help   made the Fund Raiser for Precious Den’s the most successful to date.  We broke into the five digit numbers…Yes, Precious Den’s received over $ 10,000.00.

I need to go far beyond a thank you note…I need to illustrate  how deeply you have impacted our well being and future for the year 2014 with  your generosity.

Precious Den’s is no ordinary rescue.   There are reasons why this small rescue has been given a heart beat, new life, and sustenance…that is because God put his angel to work.  We call her Jennie.  I do not doubt for a moment that he knew to send her our way.

Jennie knew we were the real deal.  She sent us in directions I never dreamed possible.  For example, we never would have imagined we could welcome a horse into our rescue without proper space, shelter and care…You know what I learned?   Never say Never.

Horses are a huge responsibility and we are seeing so many being turned into shelters due to the cost of feed and upkeep.

However, not after one but three fundraisers we were able to welcome in Precious Den’s,  a ribbed showing, senior boy we named Gideon’s Starr:

Precious Den’s Has built an entire area for Gideon.  Facebook supporters named him.  He is in part named from the Old Testament, Book of Judges, Gideon the Warrior, and the name Starr from the guiding star that brought the three kings (Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthasar.) of the Magi to Bethlehem.

Our growth didn’t stop there…We now have built an exercise area for our beloved new spirit-building therapy doggies, Cowboy the Seventh and Francoise the Fourth…

During the time period of the Fundraiser, a young beagle mix, became orphaned after his homeless human companion   succumbed to the cold winter weather.  We named this little orphan, Belvedere.   He often plays with these two Great Pyrenees.  It is a joy to know Belvedere will no longer  have to dodge traffic in search for his master.   He has a home with these two big fellows.  (Please know some of the best pet owners are homeless…so when you see a homeless person with a critter, toss ‘em a bone, a buck, or a big smile.)

This relationship we have formed even goes beyond the staff and patrons who visited Kobasic during the Fundraiser of December 2013, it extended to the folks who live in the area.

I would like to share a precious encounter between the infectious curiosity of the neighbors who live in the Riverside area near Kobasics.  It was mid-afternoon when the  children were walking home from school.  Much to their surprise when they saw two goats walking on leash.  To say these children  were taken aback is a slight under statement.  Some children had never met a goat, touched a horn, or walked a hooved creature.  For that matter, the goats had never met a child, a teen, or a young adult…I must say both were amused and pleased.

Again, Precious Den’s is no ordinary rescue…every dime goes into these animals…any administrative fee …comes directly from me…we are 100%, non-paid, non-compensated for anything…and that’s not easy to say in today’s world.  But, it is the right thing to do and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

This growth is huge for such a tiny rescue…but had it not been for one person, for the vision of one person who had faith in us and put her hard work and labor into such a successful fundraiser I do not believe our shelter would have had such possibilities that is why I fall short when I say a thank you JENNIE KRAUSSE is not enough…believe me when I say this, we thank this woman everyday knowing these animals have shelters, are safe, have room and can live a carefree existence without the  fear of destruction.

There is an old saying:  while on earth, your home may be bigger than mine, your chariot may be fancier than mine ~ but we all are laid to rest in the same sized burial plot…what we do on earth is what matters.

We would not be what we are today had it not been for your vision, labor and faith in us.  God Love You, Jennie and Crew, and all your Patron’s Too!!!!

Sincerely,

Mitch Prefach

Update to our 2012 Fundraiser

A Thank You Letter From Mitch Prefach
checks or donations may be mailed to Mitch at P.O. Box 514, Herald, Ca. 95638.
209-748-2797
12/12/12
Miss Jennie and Crew:

The year’s fundraiser was so special: the time of the year, your patrons, the animal supporters, and all of the volunteers and donors.  I was amazed at this three day event.  The turn out irrespective of the rain was “Gi-Normous.”

This year was also memorable because of an unexpected opportunity which was afforded to me.  You see, I was set up in the northwest corner of the building with some of my critter companions.  Your patrons would stop by my corner nook to pet the doggies and exchanged so many animal stories.  Funny stories, endearing rescue stories, cute behavioral idiosyncrasies, and also more serious stories regarding the passing of their furry loved ones.  I could listen to these stories for days on end and would be utterly amused.  It was a panoramic view of  just how much in common animal-lovers have with respect to one’s own history of their pets.  A very rich experience to hear all about these four legged friends.

The wish list items were all put to use.  I loved the new bedding as well as the gently used bedding.  My senior dogs are especially so warm and snug during this chilly season.  The kibble and dog bones were a plus.  Also, greatly appreciated were the many cans of cat food.  That was a huge treat for the kitties, I assure you.  I am personally grateful for the cleaning supplies.  They are always in need and used every single day.

I just had this feeling that this year’s fundraiser was going to be so special.  It all began when you, Pam, and Elodie (Jennie’s mom) came to Precious Den’s and saw the fruits of what last year’s fundraiser had done for these quirky gentle creatures.  This included:  the fencing and gate.  These much needed items provided so much freedom for the dogs.  They now run freely “on this doggie park in process”.   I can now exhale knowing that there is no fear of cars or predators to harm them.

Your ability to make me feel at ease by being able to socialize with the critters made all of our day.  The animals trusted you and so did I.  In turn, your video  really captured a grass roots institution in it’s infancy but with a little insight into better days to come.  We will soon see that day.  Thanks to you, Jennie, crew and friends, our dream will grow larger than life.  Miss Jennie, you are always welcomed to the Den.

In the passing of my father, my biggest supporter of this sanctuary, I knew he was giving you a high five from heaven.

Something your volunteers, family, crew, and patrons do not know is where the name “Precious Den’s” came from.  Well, the sanctuary is named after my late mom, Den.  She and my father were the biggest animal lovers.  Their love for all animals is what brought them together.  My mother a country girl from Bangor, Maine meets the handsome hardworking Hungarian from New Jersey.  Two very different personalities but with the mutual love of animals.  They always instilled the value of commitment and that meant to animals, “animals are a lifetime commitment never to be shelved or used as a commodity.”

In the world of animal rescue, I see such a disposable society.  I am relieved that my parents do not have to be exposed to such careless disregard.  For the rest of us, it is something we try to combat on a daily basis.

I must admit that it is such a great help when people like you reach out to a sanctuary like mine.  I must take a passage from Street Car Named Desire.  It is the act of  “the kindness of strangers”.  The Kindness you extended makes the animal rescue world revolve so much easier.  Without your help, I would not have been able to provide these animals with all the needed structures and fencing that makes this piece of property their home.

Rest assured.  This is  a 100% charity that puts 100% of all donations back into the critters. Not a dime goes into administrative costs.  The funds from this fundraiser will be as carefully spent as they were last year.  I feel I owe it to you to know that I will always be aware of what the needs of the animals are and that those needs are paramount.  No exceptions.

Our hearts here at Precious Den’s are filled with gratitude.  Thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough.  We are most humble and grateful to all your time and effort and the support of the patrons who graced us during the best time of the year.

God Love You All,

Miss Mitch Prefach

Precious Den’s Animal Shelter, Inc.

Let me give you all an update on our fundraiser to benefit “Precious Dens Animal Shelter” in Herald California and Mitch Prefach’s efforts at caring for elderly, handicapped and unwanted dogs and cats in general, until the day they die.

We are delighted to report that we were able to gift Mitch and her many fine critters just over $8,000 last evening, realized from all of your efforts.  Whether you came to drop off baked goods, household items, pet food or supplies, or simply came by to give cash or purchase a treasure or two, it is your all of your endeavors we are in gratitude for and give credit to for making this another fundraiser success.

Without all the fine folks who came by to lend a hand one way or another we would not have been able to give Mitch anything.  In addition to your help I want to thank: Kobasics Candy for the rental location, Steve, Blanca, Kris, Chuck, Shirley, Marie, Yani, Pam, Janet, Diane, Julie, Tigi, Sue Marie, Kami and sons, and all of the other fine folks who volunteered long and hard to make this effort come to fruition.

Thanks once again for your kind hearts and generous spirit!

I have included an inspiring Ted Talk to help you become more aware of the love and compassion inside each one of us if you look long and hard enough.

We had a ball!

We will be hosting our annual fundraiser at Kobasics Candy at 5324 Riverside Blvd Sacramento 95822
Thursday November 29th from 12noon-8pm
Friday November 30 from 9am-6pm
Saturday December 1st from 9am-4pm
All proceeds to benefit “Precious Dens Animal Shelter”
If you would like to donate send check or money order made out to Mitch Prefach or “Precious Dens Animal Shelter” and mail to P.O. Box 514, Herald, Ca. 95638.. If you would like to help out by donating items to sell such as clean collectibles, household items, clothes, tools or furniture please drop them off at “Kobasic’s Candy” at
5324 Riverside Blvd Sacramento 95822
anytime 12-6pm Monday November 26th until Friday November 30th. Any items on Mitch’s ‘want list’ below that you may have to drop off can be given directly to Mitch or tagged and she will pick up during the sale. We are delighted to spend another week of our lives helping unfortunate critters that cannot help themselves.

Thanks for the read.
Jen and crew

Checks can be made out to:

On Giving

      Then said a rich man, “Speak to us of Giving.”
      And he answered:
      You give but little when you give of your possessions.
      It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
      For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?
      And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the overprudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?
      And what is fear of need but need itself?
      Is not dread of thirst when your well is full, thirst that is unquenchable?
      There are those who give little of the much which they have – and they give it for recognition and their hidden desire makes their gifts unwholesome.
      And there are those who have little and give it all.
      These are the believers in life and the bounty of life, and their coffer is never empty.
      There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.
      And there are those who give with pain, and that pain is their baptism.
      And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
      They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
      Though the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.
      It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding;
      And to the open-handed the search for one who shall receive is joy greater than giving
      And is there aught you would withhold?
      All you have shall some day be given;
      Therefore give now, that the season of giving may be yours and not your inheritors’.
      You often say, “I would give, but only to the deserving.”
      The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.
      They give that they may live, for to withhold is to perish.
      Surely he who is worthy to receive his days and his nights is worthy of all else from you.
      And he who has deserved to drink from the ocean of life deserves to fill his cup from your little stream.
      And what desert greater shall there be than that which lies in the courage and the confidence, nay the charity, of receiving?
      And who are you that men should rend their bosom and unveil their pride, that you may see their worth naked and their pride unabashed?
      See first that you yourself deserve to be a giver, and an instrument of giving.
      For in truth it is life that gives unto life – while you, who deem yourself a giver, are but a witness.
      And you receivers – and you are all receivers – assume no weight of gratitude, lest you lay a yoke upon yourself and upon him who gives.
      Rather rise together with the giver on his gifts as on wings;
      For to be overmindful of your debt, is to doubt his generosity who has the free-hearted earth for mother, and God for father.

Kahlil Gibran

“Precious Dens Animal Hospice”

A thank you note from Mitch written 10/19/2011
below is a copy of her wish list…please feel free to call her with donations at 209-748-2797

Dear Jen and Crew:

A little about our benefactor:

Many thanks for being there to assist us in our efforts to protect the critters.
Thanks for your help
Mitch!
Jen and crew