Bake sale to benefit animal shelter
By Christine Cowett Robinson
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is feeling the pinch of the recession just like everyone else. Donations have been noticeably less this year than in previous years, and that is putting a squeeze on the shelter’s ability to care for the animals. It’s expensive to keep the dogs and cats housed, fed, clean and healthy. The amount of money spent on housekeeping supplies alone can really eat into the monetary donations the humane society receives. This is money that could otherwise be spent on spaying/neutering, medications, building maintenance or any of the other various expenses that need to be paid each month.
When one of our board members explained this situation to the Presque Isle Kiwanis Club, the group decided it could help. Kiwanis President A.J. Cloukey e-mailed the membership asking that each person bring one item needed by the shelter to the club’s meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 10. The collection of supplies, litter and pet food that the Kiwanians donated was impressive and much appreciated. They gave dozens of rolls of paper towels, multiple bottles of bleach, two bottles of laundry detergent, a couple packs of sponges, several bags of dog and cat food, and more! The items will definitely be a big help.
Anyone who would like to give supplies to the shelter, our needs include: laundry detergent, dish soap, bleach, sponges, paper towels, old towels and blankets, non-scoopable cat litter, Purina Cat Chow Complete Formula and Purina Dog Chow. These items are used every day, so these donations are always welcome, as are monetary donations.
There’s an easy — and yummy — way to help unwanted animals this month … just stop by the Friends of Central Aroostook Humane Society’s bake sale on Saturday and pick yourself up a delicious treat!
On Saturday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon in the County Physical Therapy parking lot on North Street in Presque Isle, this group of volunteers will be selling homemade chocolate chip bars, gingersnap cookies, gooey fudge brownies and other mouth-watering goodies, as well as ice-cold drinks. Central Aroostook Humane Society T-shirts will also be available.
If the weather cooperates, the Friends will also have some of the animals from the shelter there for people to say hello to.
The Friends hope to have a good turnout for the bake sale as donations to the shelter have been down this year, and the money raised at this event could go a long way to helping us help the animals.
The bake sale is being held in conjunction with this year’s County Spin Off, which will also be raising funds for the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Spin Off participants will get pledges of at least $120 each for the shelter before jumping on a bike for a three-hour marathon spinning class.
Spin bikes will be set up outside so riders can enjoy their workout in the fresh air. Bikes are still available for anyone who would like to participate. Please contact Dawn Poitras at dawnpoitras@tamc.org for more information on the Spin Off or to sign up.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday or give us a call at 764-3441. You can visit us on Facebook too or visit www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
