Recently we had a young man attend one of our board meetings to express an interest in helping the animals.
Grady McKeough was born and raised in Westmanland here in Aroostook County and graduated from Caribou High School. He has a love of animals and reached out to the Central Aroostook Humane Society to see what he might do to help.
Here are his thoughts and ideas about how he could make a difference.
“My name is Grady McKeough and I have been chosen as a 2019 Gauvin Scholar. This honor is for students that have a combination of good grades, good community service and have stayed in the Aroostook County area. I am attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle, and as my community service project, my hopes are to raise $5,000 for the Central Aroostook Humane Society’s Spay/Neuter Fund by June 2020. I have created an informational pamphlet and would like to contact various businesses and organizations to promote this wonderful project,” Grady said.
So far, some local redemption centers have agreed to accept bottles and cans to benefit this fund, including Bennett Drive Redemption, 88 Bennett Drive in Caribou, and Presque Isle Redemption located at 2 Washburn Rd, Presque Isle.
“The County has a legitimate and necessary need for spaying and neutering cats and dogs,” Grady continued. “Our unique issue presents itself two fold; in that there is both a large population of reproductively intact pets and the propensity of their owners to allow their pets to roam outside. The goal of the fund is to aid the Central Aroostook Humane Society in promoting the welfare of animals.
“The problem presents itself in that spaying and neutering the animals costs up to 3 to 4 times the adoption fee for each animal. In raising these funds, we hope to decrease the financial burden on the shelter so that it can work to help more animals,” he said.
“The Central Aroostook Humane Society Spay and Neuter Fund is aimed at promoting animal well-being by raising $5,000. I am asking for your generous contributions in order to make this goal a reality. All cash and check donations are gratefully accepted, please indicate that the funds are intended for the Central Aroostook Spay and Neuter Fund. The shelter mailing address is 24 Cross Street, Presque Isle, Maine 04769,” he concluded. “Thank you for your consideration of my project.”
If you are considering adopting a pet or want to stop by and volunteer your time, the Central Aroostook Humane Society is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please be responsible pet owners: spay and neuter.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the board of directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
