To the editor:
Because of you, our supporters, Halfway Home Pet Rescue (HHPR) is ending another successful year helping the stray, abused, abandoned, ill and injured cats in Caribou and surrounding communities. Although we are a small, no-kill pet rescue using a volunteer and foster care system, we have been able to help nearly 350 cats in 2012. These cats were unable to find shelter at other County facilities — everyone was full. Dear Lord, I pray — let us have another 10 shelters open up in the county. The need is so great and more hands are always needed.
Our mission is to save these lives and offer them a future. Sometimes this requires costly medical care. Only when the prognosis is extremely poor do we accept the painful decision to end the suffering. With the generous support of our consulting vets, Drs. Andrea and Nick Pesut, HHPR is able to fulfill its mission in the most humane way possible. In November, we provided spay/neuter surgeries, Leukemia/AIDS tests, vaccinations and parasite treatments for more than four new adult cats per week. We also provided spay/neuter vouchers with kitten adoptions. In addition, we rescued some extreme cases that put our November medical costs to more than $3,000 (see the Aroostook Republican stories of Bubba, Chester, Henry and several other cats).
Without the support of our dedicated and compassionate supporters, we would not have the funding to be so successful. HHPR endeavors to aid stray cats, owned cats that need to be placed elsewhere, feral cat colonies and we sincerely strive to work with hoarder situations.
Our plate may be loaded, but our cup runneth over. HHPR wishes you a healthy, happy and very spiritual season. You have not been just good to HHPR — you’ve been great! You gave the gift of life to our darling pets. Every time I look into the grateful eyes of an animal that can now enjoy life without pain or hunger, when I hear the thunder of 30 little kittens paws running and jumping in the next room and then the sound of another bulb being knocked off the tree, I thank God for you. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.
The Free Pet Food Pantry will provide limited service. If you need help to feed your pet, please make sure HHPR has your application. When food is available, we will first contact those in the greatest need. If we don’t have your application, we cannot call you. Adoption Events are every Saturday, noon to 3 p.m. We will continue the $5 adoption fee for adult cats for another week (all are Leukemia/AIDS tested, spayed/neutered, distemper and rabies vaccinations, parasite treated.)
FMI on HHPR activities, call Mary Rowe at 999-1075. HHPR is a 501c3 non-profit, state licensed pet rescue (Feline Rescue & Rehabilitation volunteer foster care system). Mailing address: PO Box 488, Caribou, ME, 04736. Adoption facility: 489 South Main St., Caribou. Our website is www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org and our e-mail address is norma@halfwayhomepetrescue.org You can also check us out on Facebook.
Norma Milton
Caribou
