Grateful for all our helpers
PET BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society
By Carolyn Cheney
The Central Aroostook Humane Society Board of Directors is thankful for many individuals, organizations, businesses and service groups who help us with monetary donations and goods.
This generosity helps us maintain the animal shelter located at 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle. It has always been obvious that folks in the central Aroostook area care about their pets and animal welfare in general.
We are thankful for our wonderful, hardworking and caring employees. They do not have an easy job as they witness a lot of sad situations. They do their very best to care for the animals we are entrusted with. Not only is their job physically demanding, they are very busy with the number of animals in their care. “Our Ladies” are very special, and we are thankful for the important role they play in getting the animals to good adoptive homes.
We are most thankful for our volunteers who spend time walking the dogs and socializing with all of the animals. With the limited staffing we have, volunteers are a most important part of our organization. They are always willing to do whatever is needed.
Being located in Presque Isle, we thank the P.I. Police Department for making frequent passes by the shelter, especially at night. And now with our new security system being installed (thanks to the Rotary Club of Presque Isle), we feel safer.
State of Maine law dictates that all towns and townships must provide for stray animals, and we are pleased that almost all of the communities in central Aroostook contract with us. The contract stipulates the individual towns pay a per capita fee. These fees provide the backbone of our budget; however, it is not sufficient to run the shelter, pay the employees, the insurance premiums needed, and all of the other necessities of running a business.
I mentioned the various individuals and groups who support us; if we didn’t have those donations of money and goods, we couldn’t survive. Donations range from small to large amounts, and every one of them is very important to us. We greatly appreciate the donation of goods and use everything. Cat and dog food is always a plus, and due to some cats being fussy about dry food, we appreciate the canned cat food donations.
The budget does not allow for a lot of special medical care for serious situations, and that is where the generosity of folks really comes in. Throughout the years we have had some extremely sick and abused animals, particularly dogs. We have asked for your help and it has come forth.
The last animal that required extra medical care, and that you helped, was Lila, a dog who was turned in to us in very bad shape. She had a number of medical problems including infections, etc. and was so very thin. After vet care and over a month of our employees working with her, she was well enough to go to her forever home last week.
We have had a number of dogs like Lila, and you have all helped with the financial donations. We have found these dogs are so appreciative of the help they receive; they make wonderful pets to the adoptive families.
The board of directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society meets monthly. In addition to meetings, the board is a working board. Often we volunteer at the shelter; we hold fundraisers including having stands at craft fairs. Our two biggest events are the Toast to the Animals, which is held in November and the fundraising walk held in the spring at the shelter.
Anyone who might be interested in serving on the board, please contact me for an application.
On behalf of the board, thank you for all the help. I do have one request: Please spay/neuter your animals.
Carolyn Cheney is a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
