By Connie TuckerSpecial to the Aroostook Republican
I have been hoping to restore my faith in humanity, trying to ignore the nightly news with its tales of murder and mayhem. I don’t need that kind of daily grief when I can get all I want listening to stories about how many animals ended up at Caribou Pet Rescue (CPR). Sadly, many of us who call ourselves human don’t remotely qualify.
Contributed Photo
This eight-week-old kitten survived abandonment in a cardboard box along Rt. 161 early in November. Rescued by a Good Samaritan, Buffy is healthy, frisky and ready for adoption at Caribou Pet Rescue. Three of his siblings died from exposure. Three more siblings will be released for adoption in about a week.
Here’s one example. About six weeks ago a Good Samaritan brought us a cardboard box found on the side of the road. Inside were seven tiny kittens about two weeks old. It was so cold that week, and these kittens were dropped into a box and set out on Rt. 161 to die.
What goes through the mind of an animal abuser? Did he or she think it was in the kittens’ best interest to freeze to death by the side of the road? Or to be crushed to death by a passing car? Did the abuser care how long the poor mother cat searched and cried for her babies? How heartbroken she was? How uncomfortable she was, so filled up with milk that would never be suckled? How long did it take her to forget?
We cannot forget. At CPR, we regularly see animals that have been neglected and abused. We write this weekly column to help our readers understand how to take action to prevent inhumane treatment or to intervene when they witness abuse. We visit area schools teaching children about pet care and animal rights. Knowledge is power!
Here’s what that cat owner could have done. He could have picked up the phone and called us. If he could no longer care for them, he could have brought the kittens and the mother in to us. He could have called the animal control officer to pick up the kittens. It would have cost him nothing to act humanely. He did not have to abandon them.
Three of the seven kittens died from exposure-related illness. Three others remain in foster care, held back from adoption because of a late start in physical development due to extreme exposure and too early separation from their mother. We’ll give these three about one week of extra foster care to catch up with other eight-week-old kittens. Only one littermate of the seven managed to rally and thrive on schedule as a normal, healthy kitten. We’ve named her Buffy. She’s eight weeks old, beautiful—gray, white, and buff—happy, healthy, and full of fun. She is now up for adoption at CPR.
If the abuser doesn’t want his mother cat to have any more kittens, he can, if eligible, apply for a grant through the HELP FIX ME program. HELP FIX ME is a low-cost spay/neuter service of AWP. If he receives or is eligible for Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Maine Care (Medicaid), he can have his cat fixed for $10 or his dog fixed for $20. The toll-free number is 1-800-367-1317. Be advised that funds are encumbered on a monthly basis, so the best time to call is 8 a.m. on the first business day of the month in order to qualify for this wonderful grant.
We have many wonderful pets waiting for a home. We adopted out about ten pets during the holiday season but we need many more adoptions to help reduce our population.
One cat we’ve named Blackie was obviously separated from his family. He is a beautiful, all-black, adult kitty with double paws. He was already neutered and wore a blue collar with a bell on it when he was brought in to us as a stray by the Limestone Police. Is this your cat? He was someone’s cat! PLEASE call us to claim him!
If your pet goes missing, DO CALL US FIRST to check if it was brought in to CPR by the animal control officer or police. We get many pets that are obviously well-loved, not stray, and desperately miss their families.
Thank you for your support through donations and volunteerism. Our shelter is located at 6 Richards Road in Caribou. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736. Our telephone number is 498-3800. Caribou Pet Rescue, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.
Visit our Web site, www.cariboupetrescue.org, for shelter news and photos of our adorable, adoptable pets. Remember—Neuter and Spay! It’s the ONLY way!
