Dexter library hosts spay and neuter clinic
DEXTER — For the first time in its 125-year history, a cat spay and neuter clinic was hosted by the Abbott Memorial Library. “I think this is the first such clinic to ever be held in a Maine library,” commented Liz Breault, Abbott Memorial Library director.
The need for such a clinic was brought to the librarian’s attention by Lee Palmer of Spirit’s Place, a cat shelter located in nearby St. Albans. On April 24 Palmer was contacted by the Dexter animal control officer regarding a mobile home which he had just entered in which 35 cats and kittens were living in a state of filth.
FELINE CLINIC — Vet techs work on a cat at the Abbott Memorial Library during a recent spay and neuter clinic. Three dozen cats rescued from a home in town will be in need of homes.
Palmer and her volunteer assistants, Tina Santos and Hayley Greenlaw-Morrow, arrived with cat carriers and were able to collect 27 of the cats which were transported back to the shelter. They returned the next day to collect the remaining 10 cats. Many of the animals were in very poor health due to the squalid living conditions and not being cared for.
Needing a facility in Dexter to spay and neuter the animals, Palmer asked the Dexter librarian if they could use the library. “I was rather taken aback at the request because it seemed to be a very un-library activity, but I knew that the town had a responsibility in this matter so I agreed to the use of our basement meeting room,” Breault said.
It turned out to be a two-day clinic. Dr. Beth Sperry and her four assistants drove up from southern Maine bringing all the surgical equipment required, setting up lights and anesthesia machines, tables, towels, sheets and securing the area from any possible escaped cats. In two days all of the Dexter mobile home cats were spayed and neutered plus another 50 from the larger community.
Spirits Place has a long rehabilitation process ahead for these cats. They are on an intensive protocol for the next 10 days and many have severe dental disease due to poor nutrition and neglect. Almost all will require dental work in the immediate future. Once the rehabilitation process is complete these cats will need forever homes. Nearly all of them are black and white shorthair cats with a very few being gray and white.
“They are all timid, but not feral,” said Palmer. “They need homes. I hope the people of Dexter will find it in their hearts to adopt one or two of these beautiful animals who have suffered such neglect and abuse.”
Applications for adoption are available at the library, for more information please call 207-924-7292.