PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Gloria J. Towle
Betsy Hallett, manager of the Central Aroostook Humane Society, posted this heading plus photos on Facebook just before the holidays. She wrote, “The best feeling for this holiday season is to know that we have placed so many animals into happy, loving and forever homes.”
Contributed photo
LUCKY DOG — “Bella,” a former resident at the Central Arootook Humane Society shelter, recently visited the shelter with her “forever” family. 
To see so many empty cages truly fills our hearts. There are many circumstances that bring in animals at the shelter. Many are strays and living out in the elements; some are surrendered because of family issues with allergies, finances, moving or possibly their owner has passed away. These are all sad and heart-wrenching decisions that sometimes have to be made. We are not naive enough to think that our cages will stay empty for long, but for now we are very grateful.
We have many people who have adopted pets from the shelter, and we love when they reach out to us on Facebook and send a photo and an update on how their new furry family member is doing.
Recently the Woodworth family sent a photo and message: “Bella says ‘Merry Christmas’ to all the wonderful people and all the animals awaiting their forever home at the Central Aroostook Humane Society.”
The Woodworths also wanted to give a little update on Bella. “We adopted her from the Humane Society a little over 5 months ago. She has adapted well and acts like this was her home all along. She is a little dog with a big heart and just loves to cuddle! We are so excited that this is her first Christmas with us and can’t wait to have many more. She is a spoiled little dog and has completely taken over but we don’t mind. Thank you to everyone at the Humane Society for being so wonderful and making the adoption process so easy to go through.”
We love to hear these stories and see the lives of these homeless pets change forever once they leave the shelter.
We can’t say enough about the shelter employees and the love and devotion that are shown to every pet that come through the doors. Each pet is evaluated and treated for any health issues. Some may need to be seen by a veterinarian, but all are given a clean bill of health before being adopted out.
We are trying very hard to have as many animals altered before they are adopted, which will be a 100 percent guarantee that no unwanted litters will be in their future. This can be very costly given the price of spaying or neutering an animal. Over the past five years we have been able to have a revolving Spay/Neuter Fund that was originally started by a generous donor. A portion of every adoption is put back into this fund which will hopefully continue to alter the shelter pets well into the future. We have already seen a steady decline in the stray and abandoned cats that have been brought in over the past couple years — so spaying and neutering does work to control the pet population.
As always, please consider making room in your heart and home for one of the animals available at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are located at 26 Cross St. in Presque Isle. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch from 12 to 12:30. You can also check us out at petfinders.com and Facebook.
Please be responsible: spay or neuter your pets!
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
