HOULTON, Maine — The town has a new animal control officer to help with stray cats and dogs, or other nuisance animals.
Cathy “CJ” Virgie took over as Houlton’s animal control officer in March for Kevin Upton. A native of Cary Plantation and a 1977 graduate of Hodgdon High School, Virgie got her start in animal-control issues when she was living in Thomaston. She became that town’s ACO and soon added the Midcoast communities of Rockland, South Thomaston, Cushing, Friendship and St. George.
Virgie and her husband Bart returned to Aroostook County in 2009.
“My husband retired (from the Maine State Prison) and we decided the time was right to move back to The County,” she said.
She spent a few years taking time off to care for her mother, but when she saw Houlton was looking for an animal control officer, she felt the time was right for her to get back to work.
“My goal is to educate people, including children, on how to handle dogs so they do not get bit,” she said. “I am also here to help people with their pets, by finding programs to assist with the cost of neutering or spaying their animal.”
As Houlton’s animal control officer, Virgie said her primary objective is to follow the laws according to state statutes and town ordinance.
“It’s about keeping people safe from animals, and also animals safe from some people,” she said. “There are people who abuse animals. And you also have some animals that are vicious. We’re pretty lucky here in Aroostook County where we don’t have too many problems with rabies.”
The role of an ACO has changed dramatically over the years, she said.
“Originally, it was just about being a dog catcher,” she said. “Rabies changed all that because it is a death sentence.”
Getting people to license their dogs is another priority for her.
“We have such a huge dog population, but people don’t seem to want to license their dogs for whatever reason,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize that 85 percent of the licensing fee comes back to the town to fight animal cruelty.”
The cost to license a dog is just $6 for a neutered/spayed animal and $11 if they are not altered, she said.
Virgie said educating people to leave wildlife alone is another of her goals. She can also direct people to the proper authorities for dealing with whatever wildlife matter they have.
To report an animal issue in Houlton, contact Virgie at the Houlton Police Department at 532-2287.
