The number of homeless pets is at an all-time high -- as the economic situation in northern Maine continues, many families are unable to keep their companion animals. This results in an influx of cats and dogs to shelters throughout Aroostook county, as pets are surrendered to care facilities or abandoned on the streets.

Halfway Home Pet Rescue is a "last chance" for many cats in Caribou and surrounding communities. When other shelters say "no", HHPR says "yes". As a result, they've rescued hundreds of cats in the past year -- providing veterinary support, spaying/neutering to prevent new generations of unwanted pets, and securing loving  "forever" homes for the animals in their care.  Without HHPR, these animals would have faced very uncertain futures.

In July, the City of Caribou informed HHPR that it must cease operations at its current location; in August, the City requested that the State of Maine Animal Welfare Program not renew the organization's shelter license when it expires on December 31. You can read the details of the situation at http://bit.ly/normSR

This action by the City may force HHPR to relocate by December 31, 2011 -- the shelter will have had less than four months to do what it had planned to do over the course of several years.

We ask the City of Caribou to work in good faith with HHPR as the rescue continues its search for a new, permanent location in the area. The organization has a growing building fund and has been actively searching for an appropriate facility since the City first raised concerns about its current location.  As the end of the year approaches, we respectfully request that HHPR be allowed to operate in its current location at 11 Pioneer Avenue, where it can continue its service to the communities, adoptive families, and homeless animals of northern Maine until a permanent facility is found.