Contributed photo
“The Kitten Season just doesn’t seem to end this year at Halfway Home Pet Rescue (HHPR) and the little ones continue to arrive even by the boxful,” said Norma Milton, president of the shelter. “The kitten season started at the normal predictable time, but it just seems to go on and on this year.” Milton said that even though more people are spaying and neutering, she feels there are others who depend on the state Help Fix Me Program and these people are finding that there is just no money left on the animal welfare tree. “The Upside,” Milton added, “is that people have become aware of the fact that it is just not right to dump a litter of kittens in the woods or in a box by the side of the road; The downside being that all shelter are working over capacity and have to put anxious families on their waiting list for space to be available.” Milton asks that people not get discouraged, to keep trying the 1-800-367-1317 for the Help Fix Me program especially on the first business day of the month and best results are often obtained on calls between 9 a.m. and noon on that first day. After that, the shortage of money rears its ugly head again. Milton urges pet owners to keep connecting with the area shelters so that their name is on the list when a space is available. HHPR volunteers will host a Cat/Kitten Adoption Fair at the Tractor Supply in Presque Isle on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Houlton Humane Shelter will also be there with several dogs and cats. On Friday, Aug. 12, at 4 p.m., the Caribou shelter will host a chicken barbecue with roll and salad in front of the Sports Inn on Bennett Drive. Cost is $5 per adult and $3.50 for children under 10 years. “We will have a table of lovely homemade cloth purses on sale at both occasions and at an extremely reasonable price,” Milton said. “Thank you for your support of returnable bottles and donation in the area business collection boxes — it keeps us going.” FMI: call 492-1722, view the website at www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org or e-mail Milton at norma@www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org
