LEWISTON — More than 150 local dogs and cats found new homes last weekend, part of a national effort to place pets with new owners.
Eighty-eight dogs, 52 cats and 11 small animals, such as rabbits, guinea pigs and rats, given up by their owners or turned over as strays were adopted at Greater Androscoggin Humane Society at 55 Strawberry Ave. The shelter's three-day ASPCA Mega Match-a-thon "Meet Your Match" ended Sunday.
The shelter nearly met its goal of 175 animals out the door. The pet push was funded through a federal grant that helped cover costs of spaying, neutering, advertising, leashes and collars, Zachary Black, the shelter's operations manager, said.
In all, 55 shelters across the country, including one in Bangor that found homes for 101 pets, participated in the weekend marathon adoption.
All pets also were vaccinated and equipped with implanted micro chips to make them easier to identify should they go astray after adoption, Black said.
He said everyone who attended the event was matched with an appropriate pet.
"Everyone left pretty happy," he said.
All adopters met with a counselor before signing formal papers in an effort to make sure no pets came back.
Fees for adopting adult cats and dogs were reduced during the three-day program.
Those looking to adopt came from all over Maine as well as New Hampshire and Massachusetts, Black said.
Max, a 10-month-old Rottweiler-hound mix, just finished being readied for adoption at the shelter Tuesday. He and five other dogs and 10 cats who weren't available over the weekend are ready to go now, Black said.
Another marathon adoption weekend is expected later in the year, Black said.
To learn more about volunteering or adopting an animal, call 783-2311, visit www.SavingPetsInMaine.org. or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gahumane.
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WOW
I could never imagine a better way of conveying to people that if or when something happens that drastically affects your ability to care for your pet, do the right thing.
A lot of humane societies have changed. They are a place where your pet will be treated very well. Everything will be done to find him or her a new home.
Right now there are 150 pets sleeping in the kitchen next to the stove with a big bowl of food waiting. Those same pets could have been scratching out a life in an abandoned building, burnt out building any where they can to get out of the elements. worst of all a lot of them are alone.
I used to have a male tabby. who at one time was abandoned in an old apartment building. It took me three days of gradually trying to gain his trust, mostly by just sitting there and talking to him. He was about as borderline Farrel that you could get. I finally coaxed him into a carrier and bought him home then to the vet. he was surprisingly in pretty good health. I had everything done, shots ect. and bought him home.
Didn't even see him for a week. Then there was the expected hissing and howling. with my other two cats. He eventually fit right in, he was a happy camper.
He did however come up with a really annoying habit. Sneaking out(he was strictly an indoor cat). Petingal Park is my back yard, so naturally that's where I'd go looking for him. That's when I found out something I didn't know. There were many ferrol cats living down there. Obviously cats abandoned over the years by people who couldn't take the time to take them to the shelter.
This is something I can't over emphasize. No matter how bad things get in your life, you don't have to compound it be throwing away your pet like yesterdays trash.Physically I can't do much to help, so I'll just make this plea. Take the time to take your pet to the shelter . They'll be comfortable and well fed until he can find a new home.
Just a quick note. Max is no longer with me. like all of us age caught up with him, but he had twelve years of happiness I don't think he ever would of had.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.That's fine and dandy. I just
That's fine and dandy. I just wonder how many of those cats and kittens will end up in some other shelter, or thrown outdoors when the new owners tire of it. I am no fan of these marathon give aways.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.Thats fine
I'd be curious to hear your alternative plan. As if I didn't know already
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