By Christine Cowett Robinson
Special to the Aroostook Republican
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is full to the brim with animals! If you have ever considered volunteering in the past, we could really use your help now. There are so many different things you could do to help out at the shelter such as: collect and fold papers for cat cages, clean cat cages, clean dog cages, scrub floors, do laundry, answer the phone, walk dogs, play with and groom cats, run errands, greet customers or do dishes. Be creative, we are always open to new ideas.
There are also items that we desperately need such as: laundry detergent, paper towels, bleach, cat litter (non-scoopable), office supplies, toys, gift cards, money — and again, any other creative item you might think of. Now is the time to let our employees know how much their hard work is appreciated for the hard work they do by lending a hand or making a donation.
Halloween is almost here. Here are some tips to keep your pets safe:
• Chocolate in any form can be deadly and wrappers can easily get lodged if ingested;
• Pumpkins and decorative corn are non-toxic, but if eaten can cause intestinal upset or blockage;
• Keep the cords and wires from decorations out of reach to prevent electrical shock;
• Beware of open flames, such as candles in pumpkins — curious kittens run the risk of being burned or singed; • If your pet does not appreciate being dressed up, respect that and do not cause your pet unnecessary stress by putting them in a costume. If you do dress them in costume, make sure it is comfortable and safe and be aware of pieces that can be easily chewed off.
• It is best to keep your pet in a separate room to reduce their stress;
• When you open the door for trick-or-treaters, be sure your pet does not dart out the door; and
• Be sure your pet has proper identification; if they should dart out the door and are picked up, they can be returned to you.
Don’t forget to visit us at the Caribou Craft Fair on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22 and 23.
Toast for the Animals sponsored by Friends of CAHS, Momentum Aroostook and The Crow’s Next will be taking place on Nov. 10 from 6-9 p.m. at The Crow’s Next Restaurant and Event Center on Maysville Street in Presque Isle. 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.
If you are looking for a “friend for life” or a way to help the animals at the Central Aroostook Humane Society, please give us a call at 764-3441. We are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. If you would like to send us a donation, you may send it to: 26 Cross St., Presque Isle, ME 04769, or go to our website www.centralaroostookhumanesociety.org and hit the ‘donate’ button.
