As a board member I help with fundraisers, weekly articles and secretarial duties, so I am not physically “at” the shelter on a regular basis. Just checking out the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s Facebook page this afternoon, I am amazed at the activity and happenings at the shelter.
Although there are posts of animals up for adoption, many posts are for lost or found pets in the area and usually after lots of shares, the owner is found and pet and families are happily reunited.
Recently two young sisters, Claire and Emily asked for donations for the animals instead of birthday gifts for themselves. Caribou Brownie Troop 1006 showed up with donations and spent time socializing the new kittens. Area Queen Liberty Faith baked dog treats and made cat toys to sell and earn money to purchase food and supplies for the shelter. And then there was the local business that had a two-day “Tattoo for Tails Special” and donated all the proceeds to the shelter. Betsy was surprised one day to receive a sizeable check from a local redemption center who accepts bottles and cans for the animals, and we’ve found out there are several others in the various towns that do the same.
Sometimes it’s easy to just shake our heads at all the negative and bad things in the world, but simply looking at our shelter Facebook page reassures me that the “good” certainly outweighs all the bad. I see volunteers of all ages walking dogs and playing with and socializing the cats, mowing lawns, cleaning cages, folding laundry, doing dishes and just lending a helping hand where it is needed. At our board meetings, Carolyn Cheney will report the special donations that are received, not only at Christmas time, but throughout the entire year.
Random acts of kindness happen each and every day at our little shelter, and it is all because of the love of our four-legged furry friends. All you need to do is look around and you will see the love, thoughtfulness and generosity in this place called Aroostook County.
For anyone curious about how our shoe drive went, we collected 119 bags of shoes for a total of 2995 pairs. We reached and exceeded our goal. We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all who took the time to donate. It will be sometime in August before they reach The County to pick up, so please feel free to drop off any shoes that you may have to donate. Extra shoes mean extra money to spay and neuter our shelter animals.
Just a reminder that in the super-hot and humid weather that we have been having, keep your pet safely inside, with fresh water daily and exercise in the cooler times of the day. And common sense should tell you to never leave a pet or child inside a hot car. Also, be sure to keep a watchful eye out not only for your neighborhood pets, but your elderly neighbors as well. These temperatures can be extremely dangerous.
Enjoy the beautiful summer and stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society or check out our Facebook page. Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch from 12 to 12:30.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
“You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.” Robert Louis Stevenson
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
