Shelter prepares to host Spay Day
By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald
February is here and February 22, is “Spay Day,” The Central Aroostook Humane Society is really trying hard during the month of February to raise $5,000 to go towards spaying and neutering shelter animals before they are adopted. We are asking you to take the time this month and generously donate. You can go to our website www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org and we now have a “DONATE” box and you can donate right online! We are trying to make it as convenient as possible to give. If every person who reads this article donated $1, we would be way ahead of the game!
To celebrate Spay Day, the Central Aroostook Humane Society will be having an adoption fair at the Tractor Supply Store in Presque Isle on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by Tractor Supply and meet some of the wonderful animals who are available for adoption. There will be a donation box, so that anyone wanting to can donate items to the shelter. We currently use Purina Dog Chow and Purina Cat Chow. We can use non-scoopable litter, cleaning supplies, bleach, paper towels, newspapers, toys, old blankets and towels, etc. We will have special adoption prices as well! Thank you in advance for supporting CAHS; we work hard to serve the people and the animals of The County. We couldn’t do it without your support.
Last week, five dogs were dropped off in the night in our outside pen. We were so outraged that anyone would leave these dogs out in the cold, but I guess it was better than dumping them in the woods and leaving them to fend for themselves. Abandoning an animal is illegal, and the worst part of it is now we have to hold these dogs for seven days before we can put them up for adoption. If the owner had just come to us and spoken to us, we would have the dogs legally signed over to us and they would be able to be adopted ASAP, instead of waiting for seven days in a cage.
Times are tough, the economy stinks, and yet there are those out there still breeding — why? And what are they breeding? Mix breed dogs like: “Pom-poos,” and “Boxermans,” for example. It doesn’t matter that the parents were purebred Pomeranians and poodles or boxers and Dobermans, they are still mix-breed dogs and anyone can come to our shelter and get a mixed-breed dog that won’t cost them $400; heck, sometimes you can come to the shelter and get an AKC registered dog! And how many of these puppies will end up at the shelter? Lots, unfortunately. If you are breeding your dogs to make money, then you are doing it for the wrong reason.
And cats — our shelter is full to the brim with cats. Have them altered! It is that simple. It makes me sad to walk into the shelter and see every cage full. Will we be able to find a responsible loving home for every one of them? We sure are going to try.
We are happy to announce Francene, our mama Rottweiler, has found a loving home. She came to the shelter very ill and scared to death. We were very worried about her. After a trip to the vet and weeks of meds, she was well enough to be adopted out, but she was so scared in her cage. It took time, but someone has seen her for the wonderful animal that she is. We are so happy for Francene! Her two daughters are both waiting for loving homes, so please visit them at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
