To the editor:
Thanksgiving Day. We continue to look at our miracles. This past month presented us with more than $1,500 in veterinary bills. I am grateful each time I go to 88 Bennett Drive Redemption Center for the bottle money and to several donation boxes around town. People are kind. They are generous. They care about cats and the work we try to do to help them. I am grateful for the volunteers who make this work possible and that I do not have to try to sweat out ways to raise money for a payroll. I am grateful for the lovely people who come to adopt cats/kittens from us. I am grateful for the tug of sadness I feel each time I kiss a kitten and hand him over to his new owner. My mind is happy for him, but my heart is sad because I know I will miss him. Each time is difficult, but giving up this baby means that we are able to help the next one. It is not a time to be selfish. So we move onward.
Little Bert, Bobby, Betty, Flash, Tasha, Simon, Susie, and Sam have all been adopted. We will work hard now to place our sweet adult cats, Amos, Trudy, Carlie, Velvet, Tiger Lily, and Chi Chi. Janice and James are still too scared of people, but they are fairly young (5 to 7 months) and we will continue to work with them this winter. We were able to help six adult feral cats this month by spaying/neutering and placing them with area farmers. We plan an adoption fair each month, but if you miss it, call for an appointment. We want to meet you and have you meet our darlings.
Please be sure to check out our new Web site created by Robyn Smith. It is fantastic and we have received many positive comments about it, go to – www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org
I am grateful for the many friends and volunteers who pitched in this last month to help me get the new cattery ready and make the transfer as relaxed as possible for our kitties. It is light, bright and homey.
Our bringing kitty home baskets are very popular. Volunteer Anne Price has spent a lot of time creating a basket with a litter box, litter scoop, toys, dry food, canned food and whatever else she can find that help each new adoptive family get through the first 48 hours without rushing out to a store. The “going home” needs to be as relaxed and fun as possible so that kitty can feel the love and good will.
We are fortunate to have a friend in Carolyn Hayden of Caribou. Carolyn donated a beautiful homemade cat quilt to us for us to sell tickets on to raise money for our kitties medical bills. It is a very special blanket and has a couple of mice sewn in around the bottom of the quilt. We will plan the drawing on February 14th during the Caribou Winter Carnival Week. Tickets are $1 each or seven for $5. You can buy tickets at the Caribou Chamber of Commerce or call me at 492-1722.
We are an all volunteer shelter. Your donation goes directly on the needs of the cats. When leaving a message on my answering machine, speak slowly and repeat the telephone number twice. Our friends at 88 Bennett Drive Redemption continue to turn over your returnable bottle money. Please e-mail me at Milton@mfx.net if you wish to be on our newsletter mailing. Our Web site is www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org Our correct legal name is Halfway Home Pet Rescue, Inc. Our mailing address has changed to Halfway Home Pet Rescue, PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736.
Thank you for being our friend.
Stockholm
