Shelter building in need of upgrades

16 years ago

Pet BULLETIN
‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane Society

 

By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald

    We all lover our pets, but can pets be too pampered? They sure can be; we tend to pamper ourselves and our pets with food. Obesity is a problem with people and with animals. According to ThePetCenter.com, a recent survey indicated that 40 percent of America’s pet population is overweight. Obesity can adversely affect a pet’s health just as it can our health. It can exacerbate problems with the cardiovascular system and other major organs as well as aggravate existing health problems. 

    How can you tell if your pet is becoming obese? Do the rib check. If you cannot feel your pet’s ribs or feel them only with heavy pressure, it’s time to consider a weight reduction program. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before beginning any weight loss program with your pet; rule out any serious illness and start in small steps. Along with changes in its diet, increase the amount of exercise your pet receives. This can simply mean regular walks with your dog (good exercise for both of you) and more play time. Cats tend to do their own thing, but you can take time to discover your cat’s favorite toys and encourage it to play. A little effort can go a long way in saving your pet’s life from obesity and the complications that go along with it.
    The weather is still nice, so get out there and take your dog for a walk. Don’t forget, if you are going into the woods, outfit yourself and your dog with some sort of blaze orange, just in case. I would rather be safe than sorry.  
    Have you had a chance to go to Zootoo.com yet and sign up? How about searchandgive.com? Both places allow you to help the Central Aroostook Humane Society; they cost nothing but have the potential to help us a lot.  
    Our windows leak and our doors need replacing; we have water coming down between the walls at places. That bit of driving rain we had recently really did a number on our building. It costs a lot of money to care for the unwanted animals of the county, but if we don’t have a building, we can’t care for them. We have patched and caulked the windows, we have had the power company come and do an energy evaluation and had the furnace cleaned, but still there are maintenance issues that need to be addressed, so earning points on Zootoo.com and winning a makeover would be awesome!
    You can see the animals we have available for adoption at www.petfinder.com/shelters/ME14.html.
    October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, so please stop by and visit the wonderful animals we have for adoption.  
    Please have your pets spayed or neutered.