As I’m sure you’ve heard, Houlton Humane Society has been blessed recently, having been awarded two $10,000 grants for spaying and neutering programs. Recently we received word of a third grant of $5,000 and we are forever grateful for the funds to continue our work in this area.
Each of these grants have specific guidelines — for instance, the $5,000 grant is specifically to spay and neuter animal shelter pets to help them find homes faster — the cost of vetting shelter animals, from initial checkups and vaccinations, worm and flea medication, and the spay or neuter surgery, is passed along to adopting families. Being a non-profit, there is no way a small shelter can absorb these costs.
The donations and town funding we receive covers building and operation costs, heat, insurance, trash removal, salaries, cleaning supplies, repairs and maintenance. The cost of medical care is far over and above these funds.
If you were to take a “free to a good home” cat, and then take that cat to the vet for shots, surgery, the cost would be considerably more than what we can do the same thing for at the shelter so when we do pass those costs along, a pet adopted from a shelter or rescue is still very much a “bargain”, but for some, that fee could be prohibitive for one reason or another.
Yes, we do believe you need to be cognizant of the costs of raising a pet, future veterinary costs, and have the means to handle those down the road. But there are good homes out there that might want two pets, or who just can’t afford the adoption fee right now, and this $5,000 grant will allow us to pay for the spay/neuter surgery and reduce the adoption fee to help these animals go home.
Not all of our shelter animals will go through this program, this will be used for those who may be harder to place — kittens, after all, go like wildfire, everybody “oohs and aaahs” over the cuteness and fun of a sweet kitten. Older felines might linger for months, or even longer, while being overlooked for their younger companions. This grant will allow us to spay or neuter those harder to place, reduce their fees, and encourage adoption.
The other grants have their own limitations and restrictions and cannot be used for operating expenses either, and programs are being driven directly by this funding to help spay and neuter animals and help put an end to the overpopulation problem in this area.
Coming up this weekend is another spay/neuter clinic, one of many, with hopes to surgically alter 100 cats. We encourage you to mention these clinics to your friends and neighbors. I ran into an Animal Control Officer the other day and mentioned this, asking her to spread the word, as the Animal Control Officers know who needs this service and who has a growing clowder of cats. “The problem is”, she said “ they won’t come” and I know what she means, those who need it most, often refuse to do it.
So it’s up to us to educate and encourage — if you have a neighbor with 30 cats, maybe offer to help her set up an appointment and take a few in to be fixed. If you do nothing, nothing gets done. It’s up to all of us, whether we own animals or not, to take responsibility for the health and welfare of our neighbors and their animals. Step up, step out of your comfort zone, and let us know who we can help next.
The Houlton Humane Society is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is located on 263 Callaghan Road, Houlton, ME. Officials can be reached at 532-2862 or via email at HoultonAdoptsAPet@gmail.com.
