Show older pets
the respect they deserve
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Christine Cowett Robinson
We had a table at Lowe’s last weekend for their Safety Day and had a great time meeting all sorts of people and handing out information regarding the Central Aroostook Humane Society and being safe around pets.
It is always fun to be able to swap stories with other animal lovers. Some people will say to me, “I spoil my animals so; you must think I am crazy!” and my reply is always “well, us crazy people gotta stick together.”
The Central Aroostook Humane Society will be at the Forum for the Fall Craft Fair, Oct. 9 and 10. We will be selling tickets on a beautiful three-story doll house that is handcrafted by Alfred Cowett of Lincoln. So please stop by and visit us.
Animals tend to bring out our silly side and our nurturing side, and you know what, it is ok with them that we act this way. I saw some of this silly stuff when people came to visit with the cats and dogs we had at Lowe’s.
The two cats that were with us have been with the shelter since February, and they are still with us, even after their big day at Lowe’s. We had hoped that by getting them out in the public, someone would find it in their hearts to adopt them. There are many more at our shelter just like them, spending months in a cage and longing for a home of their own. My heart just breaks for these kitties.
We are offering “half off” on cat adoptions right now, diligently trying to find homes for cats; our population is huge, with many more waiting to come in. I brought two of my own dogs to the event for PR and had to actually put a sign up that they were not for adoption. I was very proud of my pups; they are well-behaved and enjoyed all the attention they got.
A woman came into our shelter the other day with a 16-year-old cat; she wanted us to take it. Our manager explained to her that it would be next to impossible to find this cat a home and we do not take animals in to euthanize them. Then she asked the woman, “how long have you had this cat?” The woman replied “16 yrs.” Come on. You can have an animal for 16 years and leave it at an animal shelter? Sorry, that just isn’t fair. Our shelter is full to the brim with young, healthy, vetted cats. Who is going to adopt this cat? Our experience tells us ‘nobody.’ Sadly, this happens a lot.
Another sad situation that troubles us is when someone who brings us a 13+ year old dog and says, “I gotta get rid of this dog, he doesn’t get along with our new puppy.” That older dog has been established in your home for 13 years; it isn’t surprising he doesn’t get along with an active puppy who jumps on him and bites his ears. I guess the easy thing to do for some people is to just get rid of the older dog; after all, he can’t run and play anymore, he never learned to play fetch, he sometimes has accidents in the house and is almost totally deaf. Surely if you take him to the shelter, someone will take him home. Do you really think so or is your problem just solved and you can walk away, letting the shelter make the hard decision of what to do with this dog? We are under no obligation to take owner-released animals and are more likely to tell you to take your pet and do the right thing by them. It is time to stop burdening others with the hard decisions and make them yourselves. It isn’t the easy thing to do but it is the right thing to do.
These animals are not disposable pieces of trash, they are loyal and dedicated to their caretakers, comfortable in their homes; is it fair to give up on them in their golden years? As with the 16-year-old cat, how many years does this poor kitty have left and would it be so horrible to spend just a few more with her? My dog Zoe is 13 years old now and I absolutely dread the day when I have to let her go; I think about it often and cherish what time I have left with her. I did not bring her into my life and make her a part of my family, only to dispose of her when she is old and tired. This is all important stuff to think about before you adopt an animal.
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. Become a friend on Facebook or consider joining our auxiliary group “Friends of CAHS” by e-mailing us at friendsofcahs@yahoo.com.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
