I have recently encountered a disappointing and frustrating problem primarily because I live in the town of Cumberland.

I was attempting to fulfill a promise I made to a Yarmouth friend who died in February. I assured her that I would see that her beloved cat, Buddy, either would come to Cumberland to live with me and my two 14-year-old cats, or I would see that he would be placed in a good home.

After a month in my home, it became clear that 4-year-old Buddy needed to be an “only cat.” My elderly cats could not tolerate this intruder. So I went to Plan B and sought help from my local town to contact a shelter that would provide a safe environment where Buddy could be put up for adoption.

What came next was both surprising and disappointing. The Town of Cumberland, unlike our neighbors of Yarmouth and Falmouth, has no contract with a local shelter. ( Yarmouth was unable to help since by doing what I thought was the right thing, I had taken Buddy to try out my home in Cumberland for a month.)

I urge Cumberland officials to sign a contract with a local shelter to prevent the problem of animals being abandoned on the side of the road when there are no other options available, and to prevent others from having to deal with this heartbreaking situation.

Carolyn Penrose
Cumberland


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