‘Allie’ cat in need of a forever home
By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald
So far our cat sale is working and we are moving cats into wonderful loving homes; until further notice, all cat adoptions are only $20.
Cats are wonderful, independent companions. But what would happen if cats were left to their own devices; if there was no animal control, no animal shelter and nobody spaying or neutering? Considering how quickly cats multiply, we would be overrun — the feral cat population would explode. One cat can produce two to three litters a year at four to six kittens per litter, on average, so it is possible for this one cat and her offspring to produce 420,000 cats in just six years.
Stray cats are typically more prone to disease than the average house cat. This is due to many factors. A stray is more likely to have never been vaccinated. Malnutrition also weakens a cat’s ability to fight off infections and illness. Cats that aren’t spayed/neutered can also transfer infections/illnesses during breeding, and queens become rundown having multiple litters. Strays are exposed to a number of health risks on a daily basis. These include:
• Exposure to other cats that are sick;
• Exposure to other animals that transmit disease, such as mice that carry Toxoplasmosis;
•Wounds caused from fighting; and
• Traumas caused by getting hit by a car.
(Information from Dr. Hohenhaus is Chairman of the Department of Medicine at The Animal Medical Center of New York)
So as you can see, there is a huge argument as to why spaying and neutering is so important. W ho takes care of this unwanted population of cats? Animal control officers and the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Please take that into consideration the next time there is a dispute as to whether your town really needs a trained animal control officer or if you should really support the Humane Society. If not for us all working together, who will deal with the problem of feral cats and an exploding cat population?
We work very hard to ensure that the animals that you adopt from CAHS are healthy and free of fleas, ear mites and worms. All of this costs money and that is why your support is so necessary. A healthy cat is a happy cat and a healthy cat makes for a happy cat owner.
Have you checked out the cat pet of the week this week? Allie has been with us since last July. She is a wonderful kitty, spayed and up to date on shots. We are working very hard to move her from her cage at the shelter into a wonderful, loving home. Won’t you help? Moving one cat into a loving home makes room for the next who needs to come in out of the cold.
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. If you would like to send us a much-needed donation, you may send it to: 26 Cross St. Presque Isle, ME 04769 or go to our website: www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org .
If you would like to be a part of our friends of CAHS volunteer group, contact Hollie at FRIENDSOFCAHS@yahoo.com.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
