Program sets $5,000 goal
By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald
Feb. 22 is Spay Day, and the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s goal is to raise $5,000 for our spay/neuter fund. If you’d like to help us reduce the number of stray, unwanted and homeless pets in The County, please consider donating to this cause. Drop off or mail donations to the shelter (26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769); let us know to put the donation to the spay/neuter fund.
If animals are altered before they are adopted, then we are winning the war against pet over-population by knowing they will never reproduce. We need your help; please make a donation to our cause and help us reach our goal. If everyone who reads this article would send $1 we would be well on our way.
I got many wonderful compliments about last week’s article. I am humbled. That article came from my heart; I cried as I wrote it. The Central Aroostook Humane Society and helping animals is a big part of who I am. I have dedicated 13 years of my life to the Humane Society, 10 years writing this article and a lifetime of loving animals.
My interest in the Humane Society started 13 years ago, when I decided I needed to make a difference in the lives of animals. Before becoming affiliated with CAHS, I sent money all over the country, never knowing exactly what it was going to be used for, but it made me feel good to think it was going to help the animals and not pay for a big CEO’s salary. Then I went to the shelter and spoke to the manager. She explained to me what she could about the shelter and I was sold. I had to be a part of it. So I went in and volunteered my time, I cleaned litter boxes, walked dogs, learned to do intake exams — I wanted to know everything, hands on.
I think that is why I appreciate our employees so much. Their jobs are tough; I know what they do, and I have seen it and have done it. Becoming president of the Board was never in my equation, it just sort of happened; but I am glad it did. I have met some wonderful, generous people along my journey. I feel very blessed.
Not everyone loves animals; I know that is hard to understand, but it is true. But spaying and neutering isn’t only good for the animals, it is also good for the community.
I recently had someone call me regarding a cat. This cat was coming onto their porch and spraying on anything it could find, marking its territory. Her porch smelled terrible, and she wanted to know what to do. Unfortunately, there is no leash law for cats and unfortunately nobody cared enough about this cat to have him altered. So this cat, who’s all tattered and torn, wild and possibly diseased, is roaming free, spraying on everything he finds. By altering animals, we decrease the number of nuisance animals in neighborhoods. Hopefully he will be caught soon and finally be warm and safe, but how many more just like him are out there? Lots. So it is the staff of the Central Aroostook Humane Society in our area that is trying their very best to do something about it, but we need your help.
It has been dangerously cold; I beg you to bring your animals inside. If that is not possible, bed them down in a draft-free place with plenty of straw. If you don’t have straw, warm, clean, dry blankets will do. Did you know that animals can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite just like people? It is true, frostbite in dogs mostly occurs in the ears, tail and feet. The most animals prone to frostbite are the very young, debilitated or old animals. Some of the signs of frostbite are flushed or reddened tissue, turning to white or grayish tissue. Prompt veterinary attention is needed! This is the time of year that cats come to the shelter with frostbitten ears; the tissue dies and the ends of the ears fall off. Ouch! Signs of hypothermia are low body temperature, shivering and/or weakness.
If you see an animal outside with what you feel is inadequate shelter from the cold, don’t turn away, report it to your local law enforcement (in Presque Isle, 764-4476). They will investigate and be sure that if there is a problem, it is remedied. The animals have no voice; it is up to us to be sure they are well cared for and protected.
If you are looking for a friend for life, 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.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered!
