Shelter News: February 2019
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We're excited to bring you the newest edition of our email newsletter, revamped based on
your
survey responses. See the very first article to learn about the changes we're making.
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Newsletter Updates: Trying Something New!
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You'll be hearing from us more.
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The results are in from the survey we sent out in mid-January. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey! Your responses were very helpful.
The overall conclusions we've drawn from the survey data are: that you want to hear from us more often; you want to hear more about our adoptable animals/adoption success stories; and you want to hear more regularly about the ways you can lend us a paw. We are so glad to hear that!
Changes We're Making:
- Monthly Newsletter: We used to send out our newsletter seasonally/quarterly, but we're switching to monthly for 2019.
- More Adoptable Animals: We typically included only one or two current shelter animals, but you want to see more of them, and we're happy to oblige!
- Shelter Updates: We used to primarily tell you about big events, such as our annual Wine & Whiskers, but we'll be telling you about smaller events, shelter updates, and urgent wishlist needs in each newsletter now.
- Extra Goodies: Many of you indicated that you'd like to hear from us twice/month or more, so in addition to our Monthly Newsletter we're offering extra updates mid-month (including the Shelter Success Stories we've had so many requests for!).
To receive these extras each month, click the button below to opt in!
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Featured Adoptable Animals at the SPCA
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These animals are currently available for adoption and located at our facility at
141 Bar Harbor Rd., Trenton, ME 04605.
Adoptions can happen fast, so we recommend calling ahead to check current availability.
(207) 667-8088
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Chumley
Quick Stats:
10+ years old. Winner of the Can Nap Anytime, Anywhere Award. Chumley was found outside, and couldn't find his way home again. He's now safe and warm at the SPCA and is looking for a home.
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Kittens!
Kitten "season" actually continues through the winter, even here in chilly Maine. We still have one or two litters at a time through the coldest months. Mama cat B'elanna arrived at the shelter with her three newborn kittens, who will be available for adoption at 9 weeks of age.
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Gus
Quick Stats:
1 year old. Wicked smart. Gus is slow to make new friends (either human or canine), but loves hiking, playing, and learning new tricks once you've gained his trust.
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Talon
Quick Stats:
2 years old. Acts tough, but is soft and mushy on the inside. Talon knows what it's like to fear for your safety at every moment, but under that fear he knows how to love with his whole heart, too. He's looking for someone to help him heal his mind and soul.
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Gia
Quick Stats:
3 years old. A+ Snoopervisor and sunbeam tracker. Gia comes out to see what you're doing when you talk to her, and usually her opinion is: "purr purr purr!"
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Izzy
Quick Stats:
6 years
old
young. Laughs at all your jokes, even the bad puns! Izzy loves to snuggle and loves to go exploring. Meeting new people and dogs is hard for Izzy, but a patient and gentle handler (and a safe and quiet home!) can help her overcome this.
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Lillian
Quick Stats:
3 years old. Special talent: making faces. Lillian has an amazingly expressive face. While a tad cautious at first, Lillian is curious and affectionate. She's looking for a home where her special talent will be appreciated.
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February Wishlist Items
Looking for a way to help the shelter? These are items we particularly need this month.
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KMR: Kitten Milk Replacer.
It's only February now, but we'll be seeing more kittens and pregnant cats before you know it! We use KMR both for orphaned kittens and as supplemental nutrition for nursing moms. We can use either powdered or canned.
EasyWalk or Sensible/Sensation Harnesses: Medium, Large, and X-Large.
We walk the shelter dogs in these front-clip harnesses, which are comfortable, safe, and encourage good leash manners. Most of the dogs who come through our doors are medium-large dogs, and our harnesses in these sizes are getting worn out.
Dawn Dish Soap.
We know it's not glamorous, but we have a lot of cleaning needs around the shelter. Dawn is animal-safe and we use it to wash approximately 100-150 dishes/day. We take pride in keeping the shelter squeaky clean! You can help us with this goal by making sure the closet is well stocked.
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Bangor Savings Bank: Community Matters More
Voting open for the month of February!
The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation gives away $140,000 to 55 local nonprofit organizations each year. Organizations are chosen by
you
in an online vote that lasts through the month of February. This year, the SPCA of Hancock County is honored to announce that we are on the multiple-choice list - you don't have to write us in anymore!
How to Vote:
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This project's for the dogs - the ones at the shelter, we mean!
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Coloring for the Dogs is a fundraising project to install garage-style overhead doors to protect the shelter dogs’ outer kennel areas from the weather. These doors will replace the old, damaged winterizing plastic that is currently in use for these areas. The doors will be more durable, better sealed, and easier to maintain in the long run than the plastic. This will allow us to regain the use of these areas in the winter as well as the hottest days of summer.
How are we raising the money?
The SPCA staff all agree - none of us ever quite grew out of coloring. After a stressful day at the shelter, we love to go home and pull out our favorite pens, markers, or colored pencils and make something pretty happen. And our favorite subject to color? Animals, of course!
So we’re making a coloring book fundraiser! It’s going to be a very special coloring book, and we’re going to need
your
help to create it. The pages will come from photos you send us through an
online photo contest
that will run from
St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) to May 1
, as well as photos of some very special shelter alumni. A handful of artists have volunteered to transform these photos into line art for the coloring book.
The photo contest itself is a fundraiser: enter for free, but to win a spot in the coloring book your photo must win enough votes. Each vote costs one dollar, and anyone can vote. The funds raised will go toward the cost of the doors and the work necessary to install them. Once the contest has ended, the artists will create the coloring book from the winning contest entries and it will be available for sale mid-late Summer 2019.
Shelter dogs have few choices available to them, but one choice you can help us make sure they have is whether to be “outside” or “inside” without being exposed to the weather. They’ll have more space, and they’ll feel less stressed during their stay.
So get out your cameras, collect your favorite photos, and stay tuned for the start of the contest!
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Kennels Sponsored:
These community members have chosen to Sponsor a Kennel at the SPCA. Kennel Sponsors receive email updates about their kennel's "tenants" throughout the year as well as our gratitude!
Virgina Reams, Lobby Cat Condo
Cheryl Curtis, Canine Kennel #2
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Pets Sponsored:
These sponsorships contribute to the care of the animals at the shelter. Can't adopt? Sponsoring that adoptable pet you love is another way to help!
Romeo, Adopted Cat
Melissa Anderson
Sarah Baker, in honor of James Ketchum
Rusty, Adopted Cat
Joanne Burke, in honor of Glenn Baker
Layla and Jemma, Adopted Dogs
Mrs. Barbara Roth, in memory of Skye and Storm
Anonymous Sponsor
Freida, Adopted Cat
Anonymous Sponsor
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Business Sponsors
Thank you to these businesses! Their generous support helps us help the animals.
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