AUBURN – Mathew Fortin, a student at the Pettingill School in Lewiston, presented Greater Androscoggin Humane Society Shelter Manager Kathi Grenier with donations from his 11th birthday party recently.

In lieu of birthday gifts, party guests were asked to bring a donation for the Humane Society’s Capital Campaign for the new shelter. A total of $275 was donated.

In the win ter of 2001, the society purchased a parcel of land on Strawberry Avenue in Lewiston, which is the site for the new shelter. The current Humane Society, located in Auburn, was built 30 years ago to care for 1,000 animals a year.

Between 3,600 and 4,000 homeless, abandoned and abused animals come through its doors each year. The new shelter will be larger, more people- and animal-friendly and centrally located so adoptable animals will have a better chance at finding the perfect family. The shelter serves 11 municipalities, including Lewiston, Auburn, Turner and Greene, and a total population of more than 90,000 people.

If interested in learning more about the plans for the new shelter, call Steven Dostie, shelter director, at 786-4713. Anyone interested in volunteering at the shelter or adopting an animal can visit the shelter at 3312 Hotel Road or visit the Web site at www.gahumane.org.