Shelters seek aid with rescued pets’ veterinary bills
Photo courtesy of Betsy Hallett
FIVE DOGS, including this Chihuahua, are now under the care of the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle, after being abandoned at a home in Fort Kent. This dog, with only one tooth, will be seeing the vet Dec. 31 to determine what type of tumor is on its stomach. The shelter is accepting donations to aid with medical expenses.
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The discovery and subsequent seizure of five dogs and several cats left behind by unidentified renters at a Fort Kent home has resulted in an urgent need for monetary assistance at the Central Aroostook Humane Society — the shelter that took in the dogs. The cats and kittens rescued from the home were taken to PAWS Animal Welfare Society Inc. in Fort Kent.
Police are continuing to investigate, after discovering the animals following a report of a loose dog outside a South Perley Brook home. Landlord and owner of the property, Wayne Vaughn, has been working with the police to identify those responsible for abandoning the animals in the two-story house, which had no heat and a broken water pipe, according to a report in the Bangor Daily News. The tenants are believed to have left the state.
The dogs taken to the Presque Isle facility included two Chihuahuas, one cocker spaniel, one cocker spaniel/beagle mix, and a Havanese.
Chris Robinson, director of the Central Aroostook Humane Society, said donations are being sought to help cover medical expenses.
“We have a PayPal account set up through our Central Aroostook Humane Society website and a youcaring.com account (type in ‘Fort Kent animals’ in the search engine) has been set up by Maria Toussaint of Fort Kent to aid both CAHS and PAWS,” said Robinson.
Toussaint shared details of how the pets were found on the page.
“Several abandoned dogs and cats were found in a cold, abandoned house in Fort Kent on Christmas Eve. They were left there for over a week, without any food or water. As a result, most of the animals are requiring medical attention due to infections and other illnesses … I am organizing this fundraiser to help with all medical expenses. The funds raised will be distributed accordingly,” noted Toussaint.
Betsy Hallett, manager of the Presque Isle shelter, has been working with staff to clean the dogs and determine what health issues need to be addressed.
“The dogs all need extensive medical treatment. One has what they call ‘cherry eye,’ which is about $300 each eye. Then there’s a Chihuahua with a lump needing a diagnosis; a few need dental care. One has a urine leak that needs to be figured out,” said Hallett.
The first priority, according to Hallett, was getting the dogs cleaned.
“They were covered in urine and feces, fur was matted, some had ear infections,” she said.
Hallett said she had an appointment for Wednesday, Dec. 31, to bring the dogs to Dr. Hotham’s office in Presque Isle.
“They’re all really sweet dogs. We hope there’s nothing too serious,” Hallett said.
As of presstime Dec. 30, the youcaring.com account had raised $1,690, with a goal of $5,000.
For more information on the animals, including a link to the youcaring.com fundraiser, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society Facebook page. To make a donation in person, visit 26 Cross St. in Presque Isle.
