News

A Christmas Card

Thank you, Kathryn Harnish, for creating this wonderful video.

 

Upcoming Fundraisers:

November - January: Calendar of Gifts. Starting in November we will be selling our Calendar of Gifts for February. Each day of the calendar will have a prize. Purchase the Calendar and you can win any of the prizes - even more than one! The drawing for all prizes will be on January 31. This will make a great stocking stuffer!

We will have more information on all of these events as the time approaches.

 

Holiday 2011 Newsletter

Our current newsletter is available for download as a printable pdf.

 

$1 for $1000 Challenge

We are launching a 2nd Annual $1.00 for $1,000 donation state-wide, world-wide competition for 2012. Last year we raised $3,000 for the future building and we hope to beat that this year. So please get your $1.00 dollar bills ready and your envelopes addressed and stamped. Hopefully enough people will send their $1.00 donation to beat last year's total. The City of Caribou wants HHPR to relocate from our residential site to a commercial area by Dec. 31, or they threaten closure of the current location. Where will these poor cats go as of January 1, 2012 and what will happen to all the frozen, frostbitten cats in January, February and March?

Please send your $1.00 to HHPR, PO Box 488, Caribou, ME 04736

Thank you all so very much. We will not be sending out thank you cards for the $1.00 donations, but please know that we feel blessed with your support. ~ Norma Milton, president HHPR

 

Past events

November 19: Dance for the Animals, Quilt drawing.

October: Arts & Crafts Fair, Caribou was a great success. We raised just over $1,000 from sales and donations.

Adoption Fair: Homes were found for 11 cats and kittens.

Sept 10-11: Judy Robertson hosted a garage sale at her home.

August 12: CARIBOU CARES ABOUT KIDS Chicken BBQ sponsored by the Sports Inn was a great success!

Thanks to all who came to support us!

Tammy Crouch of the Sports Inn (seen at right) provided her BBQ expertise and equipment that made our first BBQ fundraiser a great success.

Thanks Tammy!

August 6: was held August 6: Presque Isle. Tractor Supply Store. Below, Norma Milton (left, in blue) shows the cats and kittens available for adoption.

Kristine Harger comforts a tired kitten.

Kitten admirers having fun.

 

August 12: CARIBOU CARES ABOUT KIDS Chicken BBQ sponsored by the Sports Inn was a great success!

Thanks to all who came to support us!

 

Outreach Program

The Board of Directors of Halfway Home Pet Rescue recently voted to initiate an Emergency Outreach Program in response to many county shelters being filled to capacity. The emergency package plan aims to allow people who care enough to call the shelter for help with a stray cat to receive a temporary loan of a cage, litter box, scoop and a 3-day supply of litter, dry and canned food while being put on a waiting list for an available cat unit. As soon as HHPR has space available or knows of a county shelter having space, the cat will then be entered into a shelter system. This plan gives the temporary foster family of the stray cat help while allowing the shelter time to plan ahead for needed units. HHPR will assume the responsibility for having the cat vet checked for Leukemia/AIDS, spayed, shots while the cat is fostered so that it is ready for adoption on entry. Working at developing foster cat units for the program are, from left: Stacy Chapman, Jenny Chapman, Stephanie Chapman, all of Connor, and Robyn Smith of Caribou (member of the HHPR board of directors).

Congratulations to HHPR!

Halfway Home Pet Rescue is the 2011 recipient of the Spirit of Caribou Award. This award is presented by the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the organization that improves quality of life through its volunteer program. We are very pleased to receive this recognition on behalf of all the dedicated volunteers who make it happen every day. HHPR will be presented the award on April 1st at the Annual Recognition Dinner held at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center.

 

Cat Themed Quilt was won

This unique handmade quilt was created by Nancy Bosse of Caribou with materials donated by Sheri Vogel, also of Caribou. Nancy has donated this work of art to help our Building Fund. The drawing was held during our June 4th adoption fair and it was won by Patsy Malm.

 

HHPR on display at County Federal Credit Union

May 2011: The Caribou branch of the County Federal Credit Union has kindly allowed HHPR to set up a display about our programs and offer some free handouts such as bookmarks, newsletters, and pamphlets about animal care.

 

The display illustrates our Building Fund Project — $1 for $1,000 Challenge to reach $85,000 for a permanent building. The table has a donation box just waiting for your loose change or dollar bills.

 

HHPR Group at the Best Friends Network

Halfway Home has a Group section at the Best Friends Network. This is a great organization and the group section allows organizations to gain attention and support - and helps its supporters communicate and find friends from everywhere.

 

We don't have much up on our pages yet, but we're hoping this will be another way for us to reach out to more people.

 

Best Friends Network Charities Affiliation

HHPR has been approved by Best Friends Animal Society to participate in the Network Charities Program. We have a Group Page at the Best Friends Network where you can show your support. This affiliation will allow us to increase our exposure and participate in the many benefits of the program. We are very excited about this affiliation!

 

Memorial Donation Presented to HHPR

	Barbara Thompson

April 2011: Members of the AFGE Local 294 union recently donated a memorial gift of $500 to Halfway Home Pet Rescue (HHPR) in honor of their co-member Barbara Thompson who died unexpectantly on April 18, 2011. Ms. Thompson was a dedicated animal welfare advocate. AFGE President, Mark Durinski gave the gift in her memory. Pictured below are (from left) Warren Houlette, HHPR volunteer, Norma Milton, HHPR president, Anne Price, HHPR secretary, Kathy Tamburello, AFGE union member, and her son Jasper Tamburello. The memorial funds will be used for the spay/neuter voucher program.

 

2011 Board of Directors

Norma Milton (Caribou), David and Ruby Bickford (Etna), Sandra and Garrick Milton (Caribou), Anne Price (Presque Isle), Julie Damboise (Connor) and Gerald Nelson (Stockholm), Sharon Watson (Fort Fairfield), Robyn Smith (Caribou), Mike Loux (Caribou), Kelly LeBlanc (Caribou), Verna Johnson (Stockholm), Zachary Earl Smith (Presque Isle).

Be My Cuddly Valentine Event

Our "Be My Cuddly Valentine" Kitten/Cat Adoption Fair was held at the Tractor Supply Store in Presque Isle February 12th and 13th. We met a lot of nice people there. Cats were adopted, money was raised for the animals, door prizes given out, balloon animals made, and more. Thank you all for coming to see us!

 

The Tractor Supply Store in Presque Isle recently donated a full pick-up truck load of pet food to the Marie Joyce Allen Free Pet Food Pantry which is managed by volunteers at the Halfway Home Pet Resue in Caribou.

 

2010 Statistics

214 cats came through HHPR. 73 were strays, 86 owner surrender, 31 ferals, 15 from low income, 9 born at HHPR.

 

 

 

153 adoptions, 20 kittens died of disease, 6 required euthanasia due to extreme illness, 8 were returned to owners, 8 became barn cats and the 15 low income received assistance.

 

Toby's Treasures closes January 2011

We regret to announce that our thrift store, Toby's Treasures, is now closed. We will announce future plans as soon as determined. Thank you all for your patronage.

 

News

Dancin' for the Animals

Saturday, November 19
Crow's Nest in Presque Isle

We had a small crowd out to the Dance for the Animals - but a good time was had by all. Thanks for coming to support us! We want to thank our volunteers for their hard work to put this together, the Crow's Nest for the venue and Steve Boddy of DJ KC & Company for providing a great music mix. Below and are some snaps from the event.

Some of the prizes won by attendees:

 

Homemade Quilt raffle

This lovely homemade quilt by Carolyn Hayden of Caribou, ME was drawn for a winner on November 2011. The winner was Judith Thomasson of Caribou. This is suitable for a queen size bed and is beautiful on both sides. The tickets were $1 each or 7 tickets for $5. This is another way that HHPR tries to raise money for the fantastic medical program we have for our homeless cats. We invest between $150 to $200 of medical work per cat and then we adopt them out for $25.00 for an adult or $50.00 for a kitten under the age of 5 months. Tickets for this beautiful quilt can be purchased from any member of the board of directors or from the Caribou Chamber of Commerce. If you wish, you may send a check or money order to HHPR, Norma Milton at PO Box 488, Caribou, Maine 04736 and we will mail you back your tickets.

Building Fund

Thanks to all who continue to support us. We've been receiving donations for our Building Fund, which grows every month. We have seen some interesting properties but have made no final decisions at this time. We encourage anyone with commercially-zoned property for rent, lease or sale to contact us. Our funds are limited but we want to explore all options.

Special Care for Little Lily: Update

Lily (nicknamed "Paddles" by the Presque Isle Animal Hospital staff) is back home after having her leg splints removed. Her legs are doing her proud. We were delighted when the Presque Isle Animal Hospital called that she is doing so well that she could now come home.

 

Dr. Andrea (pictured at left with "Paddles") did a super job helping this little girl develop well-formed legs and recover so that she can now have a normal life. Her straightened legs are working perfectly.

 

Lily's first interest was to run around the living room and jump, jump, jump. Then I took her up to the kitten room and she made a mad dash to smell everyone, especially Momma Danielle. Danielle, who has mothered 18 kittens - 8 of her own and 10 orphans, started right in cleaning Lily and then laid down to nurse. Immediately, 8 or 10 other kittens came running for a taste -- but you will notice Lily aka Paddles does not take second place. She found her favorite nipple in the pile and later, her place at the dish even though she had to shove under a kitten twice her size. You have to adore this little baby. She is so gutsy.

 

Dinner time at HHPR

Momma Danielle

 

Special Care for Little Lily

Lily is a torti female, about 4 weeks old now. She was rescued by HHPR at about 10 days old in desperate need of care and we soon realized both her front feet were deformed. But she's a fighter! She started out with syringe feedings until she was declared otherwise healthy to be placed in the pediatric room with a nursing mother. HHPR has other nursing mothers and two were willing to provide Lily with a good milk supply. Danielle, mother of 8, simply looked up at her caregiver and said "Well, after all, what is one more." Marsha, mother of 4, noted that she had "paid her dues and was not taking on anymore youngsters, but thank you for asking." Rosie, a very young mother of 3 barely weighing 4 pounds herself, was determined not to have sufficient milk supply for another baby. Our dear little Meg, a Maine Coon-look young momma, took a glance at little Lily and lost her heart.

 

We wanted to give Lily a chance to grow up healthy and Dr. Andrea Pesut agreed she was well worth it - so precious Lily is in leg splints. We don't know if it will work, but we have to try. She is adjusting to her big legs and is getting stronger every day. She still requires personal attention to be sure she is fed, can relieve herself, and doesn't stumble and get into trouble. One thing is for certain - she's stealing a lot of hearts around here.

 

 

Spring 2011 Newsletter

Our current newsletter is available for download as a printable pdf.

 

Winter Shelters for
Feral/Stray Cats

Caribou, Dec. 11 - Robyn Smith and Verna Johnson came to HHPR and created 3 warm portable winter shelters for stray or feral cats. They took some old large carriers with no doors that are no longer in use, did a layer of styrofoam on the inside bottom, covered all window sections with gorilla tape, attached drapery plastic to the door opening; put in a smaller carrier, surrounded it with straw, placed straw bedding inside. Then covered the top of the inner carrer with straw and put the top on the larger carrier. Now there are two layers of straw, plus a styrofoam base. Then they cut the drapery plastic for a see-through entry. Pretty great, huh, and very portable. Cost of all 3 was about $30 with lots of left over materials for more.

The next day, Norma received a call from an elderly lady who is concerned about a new feline face hanging around her neighborhood. She has been putting food out every day for the young cat but she was worried about the cold because the cat doesn't want her to come too near. Norma brought over one of these winter cat houses and set it on the porch beside the food dish. Just in time! (photo: Verna Johnson and Robyn Smith - had a great time doing this despite the nippy temperature.)

Want to build your own shelters?

Read how we did it or how to make one from plasic storage tubs. You will need Adobe PDF Reader for these documents.

 

$1 for $1,000 Challenge

Our new $1 for $1000 Challenge was recently announced in the Bangor Daily News by Joni Averill (read the article HERE.) To participate in this challenge, simply put a $1 bill in an envelope and mail to HHPR, PO Box 488, Caribou ME 04736. Include a note with your email address so we can thank you. We will be providing more information about this and other projects very soon.

 

The Voting is over - the results are in

The Animal Rescue Site's Holiday Shelter Challenge votes have been counted and the winner is the Maine Greyhound Placement Service of Augusta. Congratulations go out to them.

 

We want to sincerely thank everyone for taking the time to help us in this contest. It's been so exciting to learn what great friends we have all over the state of Maine, across the U.S. and Canada.

 

Happy Holidays

We have had many cats and kittens come through our doors this season. We want to give a special Thanks to our outreach support at Tractor Supply Company, 23 Houlton Road, Presque Isle. They have generously allowed us to display some of our adoptable cats and kittens which has increased our adoptions and made the holidays happier for all.

 

Simon's Cat

If you're a cat owner and have not seen Simon's Cat cartoon videos - you're in for a treat. The video that started it all is Catmando - a familiar situation for many of us cat lovers. Does your cat love to hide objects? See what Simon's cat does in Hidden Treasures.