Law requires strays be taken to shelter

Law requires strays be taken to shelter

PET BULLETIN

‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society

    We were at the Forum again this weekend for the Spring Open Market and what a great time we had. We met many wonderful animal lovers and shared many stories about animals who were adopted from the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We were so fortunate to have many of the Friends of CAHS”\ either bake cookies for us or help us at our booth. (Even those who attempted to make cookies and failed, we are thankful for your help.) 

    The Friends of CAHS group is a group supporting the shelter and our efforts without actually having to be board members. They are vital to us and I am so happy for their support. If you would like to become a Friend of CAHS, please send an e-mail to friendsofcahs@yahoo.com and you will be kept updated o n all of our events and how you can help.
    An issue that has again come to light is what to do when you find a stray animal. A dog in our area was missing and the owners were frantically trying to find their dog. They feared for their dog’s life, they called the shelter but we had no dogs at our shelter matching the description. Meanwhile, someone picked up a dog they found as a stray; they called the shelter to see if we had a call of anyone losing such a dog (which at the time we did not) and in trying to do the right thing for this dog, gave it to another party. He had all good intentions and the dog was well cared for but was not at the shelter. It is very important to bring any dog or cat found as a stray directly to the shelter; as a matter a fact, it is state law.
    7 § 3913. Procedure for stray dogs reads: A Person finding a stray dog and taking control of that dog shall take that dog to its owner if known or, if the owner is not known, to the animal shelter designated by the municipality in which the dog was found. [ 1993, c. 657, §14 (RPR) .]  
    The Central Aroostook Humane Society is the only shelter in our immediate area that contracts with towns. It is where people come to find their animals that are lost. If you find a stray after business hours, take the stray to your local police department, they have a key to our ACO room and can put the animal safely in a cage for the night. That is the law!
    If that had happened in the above situation, the owners would have had their beloved dog home within hours of its disappearance. And yes, the person who found the dog was trying to do the right thing by finding the “stray” dog a home, but this dog already had a home and people who loved him. I am not writing this to read anyone the riot act, just to make you aware of what the laws are and why the Central Aroostook Humane Society exists; this is just one of our many functions. 
    Our new cages have just arrived! We have purchased three large rolling kennels so that some of our cats may be contained yet still go outside and enjoy the fresh air. We try our very best to do what is right for our critters and these rolling cages are awesome for a number of functions. We would like to thank those who donated money to help us buy them.  Our number one concern is for the safety of the animals we house. Unfortunately, that sometimes means protecting them from visitors who open cages without thinking and enter rooms that are posted “employees only.” We love to have visitors, but they must respect the rules of the shelter; they are in place to protect the animals we house and also the people who visit.
    We are very proud of the work we do at CAHS and very thankful for all who contribute to this worthy cause. All donations made to CAHS are tax-deductible and we provide receipts for tax purposes. We cannot do what we do for the animals without your help and support. 
    If you are looking for a “friend or life,” please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Don’t forget our sale on cats! We are “extra” motivated to place cats who have been with us for a long time or who were born at the shelter and have never known a loving home. The Humane Society is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, or give us a call at 764-3441. You can also visit us online at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org.
    Please have your pets spayed or neutered.