Help Me Hank: Help Me Hank! Animal shelter door

We never pass up a chance to show you kitties, and cute puppies are just as good.

These tiny treasures are in a shelter now, just waiting for you to take them home.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"We have, on any given day, 20 dogs, and you know, 20, 40 cats and kittens that need help."

To get inside with these cute and cuddly furballs, you have to walk through this door. Trouble was the door wasn't doing a good job.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"The top hinge was broken and our lock set, so the door was pretty much just open."

The shelter cobbled together a temporary fix, but with cold weather upon us, they worried about their pets and their heating bill.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"We were losing heat."

So they called a contractor, who took a $500 deposit and told them to hang on.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"It would take between two and six weeks for the door to come in."

But weeks and weeks and weeks went by, with lots of people and puppies passing through, but still no new door.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"We were very scared we were going to be out the $500 without a door."

Annie called the contractor. Where was the door? A bigger question, where was the contractor?

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"He stopped returning my calls."

The shelter knew these fuzzies and their caretakers needed to stay warm.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"So I decided to contact ‘Help Me Hank!’ for help."

We know the state has a program set up to protect people from no-show contractors like this, but the shelter had a double whammy.

Mass. records show the contractor was not registered with the state. Uh oh! But even if he was, the state’s contractor program only covers homeowners, not businesses.

Still, the shelter had a contract and a cashed and canceled check. And you just can't put these pups on hold!

So we called the contractor and reminded him of his legal responsibilities, and suddenly he had a change of heart.

Ariadne Brill, Baypath Humane Society
"The contractor sent us a check with the $500 as well as a donation of $50 and an apology."

And coming soon is a new door from a new contractor to keep the cold out and the cuddlies in, until of course, you come to take them home.

Got a problem with a no-show contractor? Homeowners should check out the links below for information on how the state may protect you and for more information on adopting those potential pets.

(Copyright (c) 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)