Efforts made to find the best homes
By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Star-Herald
Do you remember last year’s “Toast for the Animals?” It was a great time and so many great people attended.
This year our Toast for the Animals, which is sponsored by Friends of CAHS, Momentum Aroostook and The Crow’s Nest, will be even bigger. Yes, this year’s event will be taking place on Thursday, Nov. 10, from 6-9 p.m. at The Crow’s Nest Restaurant and Event Center. There will be a variety of wines to taste, along with food pairings, lots of exciting items to bid on at our silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, door prize drawings and good cheer for a great cause! Mark your calendar. Tickets are $15 at the door or you can buy them in advance at the Central Aroostook Humane Society or at The Crow’s Nest. For more information, contact Rachel Rice at 768-9452.
I am shaking my head at some of the comments I heard this weekend: “It is easier to adopt a kid than an animal from your shelter,” or “You would rather kill cats than let them go to homes.” Sorry for your confusion; please allow me to set you straight. The Central Aroostook Humane Society gives people a place to adopt animals and a safe place for unwanted animals to go – all of this costs money. Yes, if your animals are not spayed or neutered or up to date on shots, you will not get an animal from the Central Aroostook Humane Society; it is about being a responsible pet owner.
If people are not going to get their current animal fixed or vaccinated, then the chances of them getting a new pet fixed or keeping it up to date on shots is also slim. We promote responsible pet ownership and are desperately trying to keep the pet overpopulation issue in check. We are not going to give an animal to the first person through the door with money; we have not put heart and soul into animals only to turn them over to a situation as bad or maybe even worse than they came from.
As for euthanizing animals, there is no set time limit that we keep dogs and cats; we have had animals with us for over a year, until we find the right home. We do not euthanize because of space. We will, however, euthanize animals that are not safe or are broken beyond repair; that is the responsible thing to do.
Funny how people are quick to point out what they feel we are doing wrong, yet they have not set foot in our shelter before, nor do they really know what is going on there, or they have never even lifted a finger to help us. These people are running on misconceptions and continue to spread the ignorance. That is not being part of the solution of helping the animals in the County; it is part of the problem!
I f you would like a representative from the Central Aroostook Humane Society to come speak to your group or would like a tour of the shelter, give us a call at 764-3441 and we will make arrangements.
This weekend’s craft fair at the Northern Maine Forum was again a huge success. We sold many tickets on our dollhouse and our ‘welcome’ sign. Lots of people left us donations and bought biscuits, dishcloths and T-shirts. It really is fun for us to get out in the public and visit with other animal lovers. We will be in Caribou at their Fall Arts and Crafts Fair on Oct. 22 and 23. We have been busy beavers making all sorts of goodies to sell. Please stop by and say hi. This is our first time at this show; we hope to make it an annual event.
If you are looking for a friend for life, visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. You can visit us online at www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org or at www.facebook.com.
Please have your pets spayed and neutered.
