Special to The Star-Herald
So, have you gone to www.zootoo.com yet and signed up? We need all the help we can get to win this shelter makeover. It means a lot to us so please go on often and earn points!! Currently we have 53 members working hard to earn us points and are ranked 41. Thank you in advance. I know that I talk about this all the time, the importance of spaying and neutering, but I am going to do it yet again.
Here are the facts for cats:
• Number of litters a female cat can produce: up to 3 per year;
• Number of kittens per litter: four to six in an average litter; and
• Age at which a female cat can first produce a litter: 4 to 10 months.
Here are the facts for dogs:
• Number of litters a female dog can produce: up to two per year;
• Number of puppies per litter: six to 12 for medium or large breeds, four to eight for smaller breeds; and
• Age at which a female dog can first produce a litter: 7 to 9 months.
On average, what it will cost to be a dog owner: adopting a dog from a shelter $55; first year vaccinations $200, each year thereafter $65; initial training $50-$100, each year thereafter $50-$200; other annual veterinary care $135; annual feeding $155-$400; annual toys and grooming supplies $160; grooming per visit $50; annual flea and tick care $80; and daily boarding $21-$30. Source: Humane Society of the United States, 1991
On average, what it costs to be a cat owner: adopting a cat from a shelter $25; first year vaccinations $200, each year thereafter $27; other annual veterinary care $80; annual feeding $145; annual kitty litter $78; annual toys and grooming supplies $160; and daily boarding $10. Source: Humane Society of the United States, 1991
Pet ownership is a huge responsibility and expense. Please consider this carefully before adopting a pet.
I would ask that each and every time you visit or call the shelter, please thank the staff for the great job they do. They are the shelter, they are the reason that you are able to adopt social and well cared for animals. They treat the animals as if they were their own and put heart and soul into each and every one of them. Please remember that the next time you visit or call the shelter.
One last issue I need to address: If you visit the shelter and decide to be verbally abusive to the staff, it will not be tolerated. It is our right and obligation to be sure the animals from our shelter go into a safe home. If you will verbally disrespect and abuse a perfect stranger, you will probably do the same to the animal. These animals belong to the Central Aroostook Humane Society and we decide who is worthy of adoption and which home we feel is appropriate for the animal. Being disrespectful and vulgar will not make your adoption of one of our animals any more likely. Treat the staff with the respect that they deserve. There are some things we just have no control over.
The weather is getting colder, and it sure has been wet and windy. Please be sure your pets have a dry place to stay warm. The temperatures at night are chilly and as they get colder, I actually lose sleep thinking about the animals who are left in the cold. It is very important to provide clean warm bedding and to increase their food intake. It isn’t fair that they struggle to stay warm and to find food.
If you are looking for a ‘Friend for Life,’ please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We have many wonderful animals to pick from. If you see an animal at the shelter, but not on our Eeb site, it may be that that dog already has a home but is waiting to be altered. So check with us often, you can even give us a call at 764-3441 to inquire about the animals at our shelter.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered!
