OXFORD — The Allen Hill Animal Shelter notified surrounding towns that it’s closing, although the owner’s son said it’s not definite.

Charlotte Landers, the owner of the shelter, said she can’t run the shelter anymore since her husband passed away last March.

“It’s just come to the point with the new state guidelines and getting washed out again, there’s just no way I can keep going,” she said.

Robert Larrabee, the animal control officer for Oxford and Landers’ son, said there were no animals at the shelter and they’re not accepting new ones.

“We’ve got a lot of kinks we’ve got to work out,” Larrabee said Wednesday, but added that reopening was unlikely.

He said the shelter is legally open until April 21 and the shelter has filed a 30-day notice of closing, as the state of Maine requires.

The shelter is downhill from Allen Hill Road, and every time the water washes down, Larrabee has to move the animals, Landers said.

Larrabee said it’s up to the towns to decide where they want to send stray animals. Responsible Pet Care in Norway takes cats, but dogs may have to go as far as shelters in Lewiston or Fryeburg.

Larrabee said it was common to have 10 to 15 animals staying at the shelter.

The shelter won’t be taking strays, he said. Anyone who finds a stray can contact Larrabee or their local town office for answers.

[email protected]