www.houltonanimalshelter.com
by Heather Miller
Well, it seems our fund-raisers have slowed down for the time being … I think we are all worn out. And it’s Christmas, so we are all spending time with our families. So this Pet Talk I have decided to talk about a few things, not related to fund-raisers.
First, of course, is our over abundance of cats. It is the most cats I have ever seen us have at one time. I feel so bad for them out there. No mind you, I know, they are being fed and they are warm, so that’s a plus, but who wants to spend the holidays in a cage? Who doesn’t want a forever home?
You go out there and see them and it breaks your heart. Most are in cages, just sticking their paws out at you, trying to get you to pet them. All they want is some attention, some love. It seems for every person, there are three cats. That’s outrageous. I wish I could get them all home, but I can’t. That is why I am asking you to help.
Now I know every time this column comes out, we are asking you to take a cat, give it a home. So this is no different. But I don’t want you to just read this and dismiss it, I want you to go see for your own eyes.
Go see them and see how it tugs at your heart strings. See how they need you. And after that, if you still can’t take one for one reason or another, I understand.
But if you want to help, like Cathy said last week, we need litter. We go through so much and could always use more.
Now with that being said, I have one Christmas wish, like Cathy had last week. My only wish would be for people to bring their pets inside! Everywhere I drive, it seems I see a pet outside, tied or untied, in this freezing cold and it breaks my heart. They are so cold. This has been the coldest winter yet in a long time and just think how you would feel outside, with no coat or shoes, for that matter, for let’s say 10 minutes … which is nothing compared to some of these animals.
Now tell me, how would you feel? Cold I bet. Freezing would be more accurate. Now why do that to your pet? People think because they have fur and “paws” that they don’t get cold. Boy do I have a news for you. They get just as cold as we do — their feet get frost bitten, their head gets cold, their whole body gets cold, just like ours would. So please, bring them in and keep them warm. They don’t deserve to be tied outside.
Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year.
