To the editor:
The end of 2011 cannot mean the end of Halfway Home Pet Rescue’s (HHPR) service to the Caribou community and others. The support by the citizens of Caribou for HHPR been overwhelmingly favorable, and I pray that with time we may be able to work out our zoning ordinance problems.
We are depending greatly on the foster system of housing now and it appears to be working well. We have found a suitable alternative location in Caribou for the adult cats and we are hopeful we can get the Caribou Planning Board’s approval very soon. Please Santa — this is all I want for Christmas.
HHPR specializes in offering service to those cats that have not been given safety and shelter in any other situation. We have people sign a paper that they have checked with their local community’s contracted shelter and the community’s police department. We accept the overflow of these options. We have accepted cats from Houlton to Fort Kent and most places in-between. We have no boundaries. If we have space, we want to help.
When we accept a litter of kittens, we do it with the agreement of the owner that we will have the mother spayed for them. They are always surprised and very grateful. Sometimes our help comes in the form of the Joyce Marie Allen Free Pet Food Pantry. And when we have the funds, we help with low-income spay/neuter vouchers.
HHPR intends to remain a cat rescue specializing as “a Feline Rescue & Rehabilitation Center.” Caribou citizens deserve a cat rescue that does not cost the municipality a penny and is passionately driven by competent volunteers and public support.
HHPR brings business into the Caribou through the purchase of pet supplies and food. Customers at Paradis Shop & Save keep the donation cart full for the free pet food pantry. Gandhi said. “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
HHPR is a happy place and the animal work we do is spiritually rewarding. HHPR demonstrates daily that Caribou is a place where empathy and compassion is practiced by pet education in the schools and student volunteerism. Good people doing good work for the good of our community and the animals who need us.
Norma Milton
Caribou
