Special to the Star-Herald
The Central Aroostook Humane Society had reason to celebrate and to recognize one of our own. Carolyn Cheney has dedicated 30+ years to the Central Aroostook Humane Society as a volunteer and board member. With her family by her side, she has stood by the shelter through thick and thin, through good times and bad. She has been a dedicated supporter and lends years’ of experience to us still as a board member, sharing her valuable opinions and advice.
Being a volunteer of the Central Aroostook Humane Society can be very rewarding, just ask Carolyn. You will find her at most functions (if not all) usually with her husband, Joe, at her side. They bring with them years’ of experience and many wonderful friends. Through the years, Carolyn has held both the position of president and of vice president, she has been a strong leader and advocate for the animals. She currently writes all of our thank-you notes to people who generously donate to us — a very important position.
At our August board meeting, we presented Carolyn with a plaque that reads “Our task must be to free ourselves… by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty”…Albert Einstein. We believe that Carolyn’s compassion for animals is what drives her to support the Central Aroostook Humane Society and dedicate her life to helping animals. We are proud and thankful to have you on our board, Carolyn.
The Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society is not a secret society; you will see us when you volunteer at the shelter, volunteer to help us out with functions and when you participate in one of our fund-raisers. We are always there and available to answer questions. The Central Aroostook Humane Society is a privately-owned business. We are not governed by the state, except to abide by State of Maine animal welfare laws and we are licensed through the state. We are not owned by the city of Presque Isle or any other town, as some think, we are owned and governed by a board of directors. Our monthly board meetings are not open to the public, however if you have an issue you would like us to consider and possibly add to our monthly agenda, you can send your written request including your name, address and phone number directly to the shelter at the following address: Central Aroostook Humane Society, Attn Christine Robinson, 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. We will consider all requests. If you would like to know more about board members or see our smiling faces, you can go to www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org and read our profiles and understand better as to why we are so dedicated to helping the shelter thrive and survive. The animals are our motivation and our inspiration.
We can’t always be the “good guys” unfortunately. We are the ones who take care of the hoards of animals breeding and spreading disease in barns or left to die by the road. We humanely make life and death decisions every day; we struggle to make ends meet and pay our bills; and we work hard to actively spay and neuter to do our part in fighting animal over-population. Our job is a tireless one, yet we do it; we take the responsibility and move forward. Every adoption is reason for celebration and we embrace each as a small victory.
Please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society often, even if it is to walk dogs or socialize cats, it is all important work. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441. Please have your pets spayed and neutered.
Photo courtesy of Christine Robinson
CAROLYN CHENEY was honored for 30 years’ of dedicated service to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, during a recent board meeting. Cheney and her husband, Joe, have contributed countless hours to the welfare of displaced and unwanted pets.
