A fundraiser is currently underway to raise funds and collect necessities for Aroostook County animal shelters. The effort is being organized by Heather Miller, director of the Houlton Humane Society.
Miller said she got the idea, after seeing the generosity heaped upon Emerson, a badly abused cat that was turned in to the Houlton shelter in August.
“The reason I’m doing it is because Emerson has almost 10,000 friends on Facebook (look for Emerson, a cat with a lot of heart). I run the Houlton Humane Society, therefore I know how hard it is to get donations for all the animals in need. Every day Emerson gets blankets and litter boxes, food and toys, and there’s only so much that he needs. So I decided to start a collection of supplies and money for area shelters and rescues in Aroostook County,” said Miller.
She started the fundraiser before Thanksgiving and intends to continue it through mid-December.
“For the next three or four weeks, people can drop off donations of cat litter, food, cleaning supplies or monetary donations to the animal shelter in Houlton or they can mail them to my home address. Send to: Emerson Miller, 11 West St., Houlton, ME 04730,” she said. Checks can be made out to “Heather Miller,” with donations marked for “Emerson’s Christmas Collection.”
Miller said to date she’s had about $600 worth of supplies donated. Plans are to distribute what’s collected before Christmas.
“Around the third week in December, Emerson and I will be going to the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle, the Halfway Home Pet Rescue in Caribou and Paws in Fort Kent to equally distribute all of the money raised, as well as the supplies collected. Obviously, the Houlton Humane Society will be included in this as well,” said Miller.
Emerson has been living with Miller and her husband since being surrendered earlier this year. The cat has multiple health issues that require regular visits to the vet. The former owner has been charged with animal cruelty, according to Miller.
“Emerson came into HHS in August with broken ribs and a broken neck that had healed without medical care. He also had spinal damage and burned feet. But he loves life now and gets around with the help of a pet wheelchair,” she said.
Emerson’s popularity has grown through social media, with followers regularly sending gifts, including food, toys and bedding. Miller said she appreciates the gifts but wanted to do something that would include other homeless pets this holiday season.
“Emerson has some very generous supporters and there’s only so many supplies he needs, so I felt sharing with other local shelters — knowing the hardships my shelter goes through — would be the right thing to do this time of year,” Miller said.
Miller said all donations will be pooled and divided equally among the four shelters.
“We’ll be taking pictures along the way and posting them on Emerson’s website. Then later this month we’ll hit the road to make deliveries,” Miller said. “We’ll continue to take donations for this fundraiser until Friday, Dec. 12, with a few of my co-workers, Emerson and I distributing items on Monday, Dec. 15.
For more information, call Miller at 538-7243.
