To the editor:
If you live in the St. John Valley, you have probably heard of Paws Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (PAWS). Many of you have seen our shelter, Valley Cat Haven, from the Frenchville Rd. or visited us.
Our shelter is small but it has a big impact in our communities, in terms of the cats who need help, the people who find homeless cats and do not know what to do to help them and the people who adopt our cats and gain a loving member of their families.
What is not as visible is the work that goes on behind the scenes to keep this operation running smoothly and effectively. One of the most critical components of this operation is the group of volunteers who help us care for the cats on a daily basis, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Twice each day the cages and litter boxes need to be cleaned and the cats /kittens need to be given more water and food. This process takes one to two hours based upon the number of cats at the shelter at that time. While the volunteer is there, he or she is able to interact with the cats which is fun for the volunteer and the cats.
We currently have a group of people who volunteer to clean the shelter regularly; the group is made up of PAWS board members, students, working adults and residents of Northern Maine General. Many of our volunteers have been with us for years. Others are with us for several months due to lifestyle changes. Many often return when they can.
Because volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization and the number of people available fluctuates we always are in need of more volunteers. If you or someone you know is interested in being part of this rewarding work, please contact us at 543-7348 for further details.
Jean Cobb
St. Agatha