November is Adopt a Shelter Pet Month
By Christine Cowett Robinson
New news: The beautiful dollhouse that we have to raffle off is now better than ever. Ann McHatten of Cottage Styles of Presque Isle has donated some beautiful furniture to furnish our dollhouse. Stop by the shelter to see it; it looks amazing. Tickets are on sale now until Pictures with Santa Paws (December) so get yours now. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. This dollhouse would make an amazing Christmas present that any little girl would love, or maybe a showpiece for an adult collector. The dollhouse is one of a kind, hand-made and donated by Alfred Cowett of Lincoln. If you are interested in buying a ticket, you can put your name and phone number on a small piece of paper and mail it, along with the money, to: 26 Cross St, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Stay tuned for the drawing in December.
Photo courtesy of Christine Robinson
DREAM HOUSE — Some little girl will be the lucky owner of this dreamy, handmade dollhouse, which is being raffled off to benefit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Created by Alfred Cowett of Lincoln and furnished thanks to Ann McHatten of Presque Isle, tickets are being sold between now and December, with the winner being drawn during the Pictures with Santa Paws annual event. Tickets can be purchased at the shelter.
Our shelter is full, almost overflowing with cats and kittens. It is sickening. If you have not had your cat altered, do so now! If you need a good reason, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society; look into their little faces and you will know why. These cats did not ask to be born, did not ask to be homeless and did not ask to live in a cage. They are the product of irresponsible people, and each week it gets worse. The weather is getting colder and we give them a safe, warm place to be, but tell me, what are we to do with them when there is no more room? The answer to that falls upon the shelter; it is passing the buck, people not taking responsibility. I get very angry when I see these wonderful cats, reaching from their cages, begging for a home of their own. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of love at our shelter for all of the animals, but each animal deserves a home, not to live its life in a cage.
Being as full as we are does not leave much room for owner-surrendered cats. If you call the shelter and tell them that you need to bring your cat to the shelter but are told we are full and do not have room, that is the case. Our responsibility is to take strays from the towns that contract with us first; we must always have room for stray animals, owner-released animals come second. Again, what would you like us to do? More often than not, when people are turned away, they get upset because they don’t understand and want someone else to fix their problem. We will take your cat when there is room, but don’t think you are the only person on the “list.”
Governor Baldacci has agreed to proclaim November 2010 as Adopt a Shelter Pet Month here in Maine! So, to celebrate we are inviting you to come to the shelter for a tour and meet our wonderful animals and staff. We are already offering cats at a discounted price. Now is the time to adopt a cat if you have a warm heart and warm home. How about volunteering at the shelter? We can always use dog walkers and cat lovers to socialize our animals. We need newspapers and newspaper ‘folders’ desperately!! Come to the shelter and we will show you how to fold them so they fit in the cages properly. How about making a donation? We are currently feeding dry Purina Cat Chow and Purina Dog Chow. We need non-scoopable cat litter, paper towels, laundry detergent and help winterizing. Be creative and help support the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
If you are looking for a friend for life, please contact the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We have many wonderful animals waiting for homes. Our business hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please spay and neuter your pets!
