Seven kittens — Bonnie, Bobby, Autumn, Lily, Lucy, Oliver, Louis and six-month old partially-tamed feral cats June and Sadie— found homes today during the Saturday Adoption Fair located at Tobey’s Treasures on Sweden Street in Caribou. “We were very pleased with the interest by the number of people attending the adoption fair,” said Halfway Home Pet Rescue President Norma Milton. During the event, the store sold $100 of merchandise and received about $50 in donations. Volunteers said that it was great to have found new homes for nine cats, as there are still 30 HHPR kittens and adults cats in need of new homes; until their adoption, many of the animals reside in foster homes. According to Milton, it’s been a rough fall for the volunteers. “The fall cats and kittens are all coming in either very sick or very infested with ear mites, worms, and fleas; we are having bigger vet expenses in getting them cleaned up in preparation for their surgery before we can even then move on to the adoption level.” Among the sick animals rescued by HHPR volunteers this fall were 13 kittens from a Presque Isle site last week, which proved to be a challenge and a heartbreak for those who’ve been trying to keep the kittens alive. “The litter had a very heavy flea infestation that caused severe anemia, which is especially dangerous for the young kittens,” she explained; the litter also suffered from eye infections and upper respiratory infection. According to Milton, there are still 15 adults at that same Presque Isle site that need medical help and spaying. “We are grateful for the kittens that we were able to save and for the opportunity to give medical care, comfort and love to those kittens who came to us too late,” she said, mentioning that Saturday’s successful adoption fair really helped pick up the spirits of HHPR volunteers. HHPR has several adult volunteers who are working faithfully to keep the rescue going both for the animals and at the store which helps the organization maintain a balanced budget, but volunteers agreed that it was wonderful to hear from their teenage volunteers for help, which is so gratefully appreciated. HHPR currently has a declawed Maine Coon, Claudia, who has not been claimed in several weeks. Claudia is very shy and will need a quiet home with someone willing to give her time to adjust to her new environment. “Being left outside with no claws to protect herself or catch food was very difficult for her and she will need time to relax and come out from behind your door,” said Milton, “but she is so loving when she knows you are keeping her safe. Claudia is free to the right family.”
