To the editor:
Last week the Aroostook Republican ran a story about the city of Caribou wanting Halfway Home Pet Rescue to relocate because of a zoning ordinance dispute. For the past week our building committee has devoted considerable effort toward finding a solution and feel the need to bring everyone up to date. In addition to meeting with and talking to various city departments, we do not seem to be any closer to our goal.We have not yet been given any substantial assistance from the city toward a solution and we feel disappointed, discouraged, and worried about our animals. We continue to dispute the ordinance interpretation with the city planning board. The Planning Board will hold a working meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. to address the ordinance because it impacts all Caribou pet owners. If anyone owns more than two pets in Caribou they could face ordinance violation action in the event someone complains about them. The meeting is open to the public and we encourage concerned citizens to attend.
Halfway Home Pet Rescue continues to be overwhelmed with requests for assistance and have had to turn many people away. This is very difficult as some calls are from human welfare agencies working with clients who can’t get help and we, like other shelters, are just too full to take on more at the moment. We try to work out time frames in order to work in a few cats at a time — fearing that these animals will just be turned out on the street.
We need financial help to relocate, build or renovate a new site. Time has been too short for us to raise enough money to acquire suitable property that would pass inspection and get planning board approval or Maine Animal Welfare approval. Now that winter is coming, time to build or renovate grows even shorter so we are considering a temporary relocation within the business area for cats only.
We encourage anyone with commercial property for rent or sale to contact us as soon as possible. We encourage anyone with land outside of a residential zone who would like to sell or donate a parcel to contact us. Our funds are limited but we want to explore every option. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
HHPR will continue its mission and appreciates a show of public support across the state. Thank you for anything you can to do help with our relocation whether it is donation, fundraising, temporary fostering, or assistance with our fundraisers. HHPR,
We can be reached at: PO Box 488, 11 Pioneer Ave., Caribou, ME 04736, via e-mail at norma@halfwayhomepetrescue.org or call 207-492-1722. Our website is www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org
Halfway Home Pet Rescue
Norma Milton, president
Robyn Smith, building chair
