To the editor:
The Board of Directors, the employees, and our four-legged friends at the Central Aroostook Humane Society thank everyone who has donated money, supplies or their time as volunteers during 2012. Without everyone’s help we could not survive.
This may surprise many people but 40 percent of our operating budget consists of your donations. We receive some assistance from the state and the twenty plus Aroostook county towns that contract with us to take care of their homeless animals. Just the cost of maintaining the building with fuel, electric and general maintenance and repair is tremendous. Add in the cost of employee wages and mandated insurances, and it really adds up. We are certainly not overstaffed, and that is where volunteer help is so needed and appreciated.
Certainly not last in importance is the cost of supplies and medicines for the dogs and cats. Many times animals come to us in bad health and very poor shape. We do all we can to make them comfortable and healthy to ready them for adoption. A great deal of food is donated especially canned cat food. And thank heavens for the donation of kitty litter. Because we have so many cats, the kitty litter is a big expense. Unscoopable kitty litter is always very welcome as a donation.
There are many ways folks have donated this year including financial donations, supply donations, memorial donations (many in memory of pets), and a number of families are donating in memory of loved ones. A great way to help the shelter in an ongoing manner is to have a cage sponsorship for either a cat or a dog or both. The cost is $10 a month, and can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly. The cage sponsorship entitles an individual, a family or an organization to have a plaque affixed to a cat or dog cage (you specify). The plaque will have your name on it if you wish or it can be in honor or in memory of someone (a person or an animal). If interested call Betsy at 764-3441.
Having children at a young age be involved with homeless animals is a learning experience for them. The hope is they will understand humane treatment of animals and be knowledgeable about the necessity of spaying and neutering of animals. Last spring a number of middle school students visited the shelter and learned what we do there, and the need to find homes for these beautiful animals. As far as children’s involvement with the shelter, we have noticed a number of children foregoing birthday presents at their parties and have their friends bring dog and cat food and treats for the animals. This unselfishness and kindness says many young children will grow up to be very caring adults. We are very proud of these young people and their wanting to help the unwanted animals of Aroostook County.
In closing we welcome interest from residents of Caribou and surrounding areas of people who would like to be considered or who would like to nominate someone for Board membership. Currently we have no one from this area on the board, and would very much like to have representation as the shelter serves your area. For additional information and application, please call me at 764-4991. Please visit us at the shelter, and I am sure you will want to adopt one of our beautiful cats and dogs.
Carolyn L. Cheney
Board of Directors
Central Aroostook Humane Society
