To the editor:
The comment on Facebook is true. I went to my doctor’s office for a B12 shot and stated that I was there for my “distemper” shot. I agree with my fellow volunteers, it is time for my vacation.
It has been a hugely busy month for Halfway Home Pet Rescue with 12 to 14 spay/neuters per week. Your contributions of bottles, cans and used shoes provides us steady funding. Our shoe recycling program continues to grow earning over $1,500 so far. Our business collection jars have recently been earning HHPR an average of four spays and two neuters per week. Bottles, cans and shoes can be dropped off at 11 Pioneer Ave.
One main project is managing feral cat population through spay/neuter. We have accomplished wonders with the Limestone St. colony — from several dozen feral cats down to two females. These two cats have seen their siblings captured so they are clever about the trap. We will capture them before breeding season.
In the abandoned Down Home Trailer Park, past DoDo’s Market, we have reduced that feral colony from over 100 cats to 9 or 10 cats with an active winter feeder. The Pleasant St. and Irving Station Caribou colonies have been managed and a good feeder is available should any Limestone St. cats wander up to replace the captured feral colony. We are currently working with a 21 feral cat colony in Woodland and have taken two young feral cats from another Woodland resident. We are grateful to our local farmers who open their barns for sheltering our relocated spayed/neuter feral colonies. Feral colonies earn their own way by becoming rodent patrollers.
We worked with five different hoarder situations in 2012. Hoarders are difficult — he/she thinks he/she is doing good, but the animal care is neglectful to the point of cruelty. We are careful not to overstep legal boundaries. This can be frustrating when you just want to pick the kitty up in your arms and say to it “You will never be cold, hungry or abused again.”
We have taken several owned cats whose families could not afford medical care. More than two dozen ill kittens/cats came from young, low-income Fort Fairfield and Caribou families. Homeless people are surrendering their beloved pets. Our intake number often corresponds to the human homeless shelter. These are difficult times for all.
We have a limited supply of pet pantry food. If you have an application with us, Mary will call you when food is available. If you are in a crisis need for pet food, call 999-1075 to apply. We regret not being able to do more.
The cats love their new home at 489 South Main St. with spacious cages and the lovely social room donated by Robyn Smith and Roberta Corp. The year 2013 finds us feeling truly blessed. We are working hard, but seeing wonderful gains. Our volunteer base is growing. Special training coming in April: the “Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty” Program.
Our new location at 489 South Main St. is open by appointment only for adoption and every Saturday, noon to 3 pm. HHPR is a 501c3 non-profit, mailing address is PO Box 488, Caribou, Maine 04736. Website is www.halfwayhomepet rescue.org, please see us on Facebook and Petfinder.
Norma Milton
HHPR president
