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‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Carolyn L. Cheney
Board of directors
During this holiday season and time of giving, the board of directors, the employees, and our four-legged friends at the Central Aroostook Humane Society would like you to know how very grateful we are to everyone who has donated money, supplies or their time as volunteers during the past year. Without your help, we could not survive.
This may surprise many people, but 40 percent of our operating budget consists of your donations. We receive some assistance from the 20-plus Aroostook County towns that contract with us to take care of their homeless animals. Just the cost of maintaining the building with fuel, electric and general maintenance and repair is tremendous. Add in the cost of employee wages and mandated insurances, and it really adds up. We are certainly not overstaffed, and that is where volunteer help is so needed and appreciated.
Certainly not last in importance is the cost of supplies and medicines for the dogs and cats. Many times animals come to us in bad health and very poor shape. We do all we can to make them comfortable and healthy to ready them for adoption. A great deal of food is donated especially canned cat food. And thank heavens for the donation of kitty litter. Because we have so many cats, the kitty litter is a big expense. Unscoopable kitty litter is always very welcome as a donation.
There are many ways folks have donated this year including financial, supply and memorial donations (many in memory of pets) and a number of families are donating in memory of loved ones. A great way to help the shelter in an ongoing manner is to have a cage sponsorship for either a cat or a dog or both. The cost is $10 a month, and can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly. The cage sponsorship entitles an individual, a family or an organization to have a plaque affixed to a cat or dog cage (you specify). The plaque will have your name on it if you wish or it can be in honor or in memory of someone (a person or an animal). If interested, please call Betsy at 764-3441.
Children’s involvement with the shelter operations this year has been wonderful. Having children at a young age be involved with homeless animals is a learning experience for them. The hope is they will understand humane treatment of animals and be knowledgeable about the necessity of spaying and neutering of animals. Last spring a number of middle school students visited the shelter and learned what we do there, and the need to find homes for these beautiful animals.
As far as children’s involvement with the shelter, we have noticed a number of children foregoing birthday presents at their parties and having their friends bring dog and cat food and treats for the animals. This unselfishness and kindness says many young children will grow up to be very caring adults. This past year children and teens have had bottle drives for us. We are very proud of these young people and their wanting to help the unwanted animals of Aroostook County.
In closing, we thank each and every one of you for all the help you have given to the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Please visit the shelter to see our beautiful residents.
