Remember to mark your calendars for the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20. The Caribou Arts & Craft Show is always a popular fall event to enjoy, and we at the Central Aroostook Humane Society are excited to be participating once again.
Last year our bake sale was such a hit that we will be returning with lots of tasty treats for humans and your pets. We will also have our fun “lottery board” raffle along with some other surprises. All of the proceeds will continue to support our new shelter project.
As cooler weather approaches, there are some things you can do to make sure pets remain safe.
As the outdoor temperatures start to drop, cats will hide under car hoods for protection and warmth. Use caution when you start your car in the cold winter months ahead. If cats are left outside, they may climb under the car hood. Before you enter the car, slap the hood or open it for a quick look around.
If you have an outdoor cat, it’s important to provide your kitty with a cozy space free from drafts, including a warm bed and blanket. If possible, when the weather is bitter cold, the best solution is to keep your cat inside.
Providing extra food and water during the winter will help to boost their energy. Canned or wet food will be easier to digest.
Supervising the area around your heat sources is important, especially if you use an open fire or oil heater. Our little cat Willie years ago jumped up on our woodstove. We panicked because we knew how hot it was. Well, he didn’t stay up there long, but did have some burns to his paw pads, and thankfully never attempted to do that again.
If your kitty is whining, anxious, shivering or looking for a warm place to burrow, they could very well be showing signs of hypothermia. This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a cat’s body temperature drops below 98 degrees. A cat’s normal body temperature is between 101–102 degrees F.
Move your cat to a warm area, dry your cat and wrap them in warm towels or blankets if they are wet. You can also use hot water bottles to help warm your cat, just make sure it’s not too hot. Take your kitty to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
One last important tip: Snow can sometimes affect a cat’s sense of smell and ability to find their way home. Microchipping and having an identification tag will certainly help if your cat is lost.
Stop by the Central Aroostook Humane Society or check out our Facebook page. We are open Tuesdays from 12 to 4 p.m., and Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closing for lunch from 12 to 12:30 p.m.
Please be responsible: spay and neuter your pets.
Gloria J. Towle is the secretary for the Central Aroostook Humane Society board of directors.
