To the editor:
During the past week, an article entitled, “Despite recent cases, animal abuse cases not on rise in County” has appeared in the Aroostook Republican, the Star-Herald and the St. John Valley Times. It is a subject that warrants discussion because although reported animal abuse may not be on the rise, it is very much with us. It is especially present in the northern Aroostook area in the form of abandonment.
Paws Animal Welfare Society, Inc. in Fort Kent rescued 112 homeless cats in 2015. Of that number, 34 had already been spayed/neutered and some had been declawed. Only three were reclaimed by their owners. Ninety percent of the cats were very friendly and well-socialized; indicating they had been housecats. They are abandoned throughout the year, whether the temperature is below zero or in the 90’s. Unfortunately, unlike the cases cited in this article, the abuser is usually not known.
Because of this, PAWS is doing everything possible to stop the abuse at its source by reducing the number of unwanted cats and kittens. For the past two years we have sponsored spay/neuter clinics in partnership with Dr. Chris Yule at Fort Kent Animal Hospital. Dr. Yule sponsors one in February and PAWS sponsors, along with help from two supporters, three more clinics during the rest of the year.
In 2014, 81 owned cats were given rabies vaccinations and spayed or neutered and in 2015 we did an additional 90 owned cats for a fee of just $25. There is even more help available — go to www.spaymaine.org to find voucher programs or call PAWS.
Dr. Yule and PAWS are currently preparing for our first clinic this year which will be on Feb. 23rd. We currently have 27 cats who are scheduled for this clinic.
Some shelters in the region have already seen a reduction in intakes due to the emphasis all of the shelters are placing on spay/neuter and we are seeing evidence here in the St. John Valley that our efforts are making a difference, as well.
In closing we want to express our gratitude to the majority of people in the St. John Valley who are excellent pet owners, provide good homes to the cats that we rescue and support our work in many ways.
