BANGOR, Maine — The Bangor Humane Society shut down early Saturday after it ran out of adoptable animals for the first time in its 164-year history.
The Mount Hope Avenue animal shelter had planned to stay open until 8 p.m. Saturday and be open for six hours Sunday as part the national Mega Match-A-Thon Event sponsored by the ASPCA.
“This far exceeded our expectation,” Suzan Bell, executive director of the Bangor shelter, said Saturday afternoon. “I just want to thank the community for their support. Personally, I am overwhelmed. This is the best day in the history of the Bangor Humane Society as far as I’m concerned.”
The shelter was one of 55 around the nation to receive a $10,000 grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to participate in what was scheduled to be a three-day event. The grant allowed Bell and her staff to lower adoption fees and streamline the process so potential adoptees were matched with pets more quickly.
Bell said she won’t know until Tuesday how the Bangor Humane Society did compared to other shelters that participated in the event.
She estimated Saturday that of the 101 adoptable pets at the shelter as of Wednesday, approximately 50 dogs, 45 cats and a handful of small animals, such as guinea pigs, gerbils rabbits and rats were adopted.
Bell said there was no typical adoptee.
“We saw families, senior citizens, young single people,” she said. “They truly ran the gamut of the community. You name it, they were here.”
The first animal to be adopted was an 11-year-old dog and the last was an 8-year-old white cat that weighed 22 pounds.
The only animals left at the shelter Saturday were strays — animals that have been there seven days or less and are not yet adoptable, according to Bell.
best news I’ve read in a long time..
Indeed, and their adoptables would go more quickly all the time if the adoption fees weren’t so high. Many of us who would love a good family pet simply cannot afford the high fees they normally charge.
Better to have the animals in good homes than let them sit in cages because people cannot afford the high fees.
I wouldn’t pay $50 or $100 or $150 for a shelter pet; $25 seems more reasonable to me, even $10 or nothing in case of older animals or those who need medications/regular vet care.
Do you take your pets to the vets and have their shots and have them spayed or neutered? if so you will realize that it cost more then $25. In Augusta the price includes health check, shots, spay or neuter and a certificate for the first vet visit. For $150 that is a bargain. If you can’t afford the adoption fee maybe you can’t afford a pet. I took my dog to the vets for her routine visit and shots and it was over $150.
Well dam it cost $15 just to get their nails clipped.
If you can’t afford the adoption fee, you cannot afford the follow up care the pet will need. I cannot believe how inexpensive it is to get a pup from BHS whose been vetted for behavior, vet checked, spayed, and up to date on shots.
Cleanearth and Brewer both have good points. The whole point of the adoption process is to actually have the animals adopted. My understanding is that charging an adoption fee has two purposes. First and foremost the Society wants to vet the commitment and ability of perspective owners to provide a good home for the animal. Secondary is the recouping of expenses. As evidenced by this recent event, there are many good homes with folks who have the resources to provide for an animal but things are tight which, when one adds in a high adoption fee, tip the scales against adoption. It would be nice if there was another way of vetting perspective owners without charging high fees. Perhaps asking for donations at the time of adoption would help mitigate expenses. Regardless, I salute this great event and hope to see it happen again. Well done Bangor Humane Society!
I accidentally liked your comment – trust me I DON’T like it. If you are going to squabble about the cost of a pet then you don’t deserve to share your world with one.
I see his point though. Why pay a hundred bucks when the neigbor down the street has a litter of kittens that are old enough to be separated?
Yeah, but then they need to fixed, get their shots, and probably have a flea treatment. A free animal is never free if you are a responsible pet owner.
Those “free” kittens will end up costing a lot more than the $100 adoption fee at the shelter. You’re going to need to take your “free” kitten to the vet for a full checkup and vaccinations, and then you’re going to need to have your free kitten spayed or neutered. That’s going to run you well over $100.
You’re absolutely right. Shelter pets are a bargain.
If you are a responsable pet owner, you would then take that kitten to the vet for shots, worming, testing and spaying or neutering, the cost will amaze you. Upwards of $250 when all is said and done in the first year. And by the way your neighbor has kittens because they are not a responsable pet owner .
Just an FYI – If you click the “liked” button that appears after clicking “like,” it will remove your [for lack of better words] vote.
I bet that dogs growl every time you even come near them
that was a bit harsh. I’m not to wild about some of your posts either rusjan.
Actually, animals and I get along fine. See my other comment here about how I’ve taken in cats that ignorant city people drop off at rural homes, and a 10-year-old Golden Retriever whose owner couldn’t take care of her anymore. We’re all happy and healthy, all go for walks in our fields, and talk to one another all day.
Don’t make silly judgments about people don’t have large incomes; it’s simply true that more animals would get adopted to good homes if the fees were lower. Obviously.
My animals are allowed to run freely around my property (Oh! the Horror!) and in and out of the house, as is natural for them. I also don’t poison them with flea/tick sprays or pills for heartworm.
Since my animals like to go out even in the cold (they grow thick coats by being outside), fleas don’t get the upper hand. Fleas don’t breed out in the cold, and being a thrifty rural person, I keep a cool house so they don’t like it in here, either. I’;ve also found using the vacuum cleaner quite effective keeping flea numbers down when they start to appear in late summer.
All of the flea and tick and heartworm substances are poison; they’re pesticides and they poison your animal to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the dosage you administer.
Feeding your animals raw garlic will get rid of worms, and will discourage fleas, ticks, and other parasites. Not everyday, but about once a month give your dogs and cats some raw, chopped-up garlic in a bit of nice chopped meat. Helps their general health.
I’ve had many pets over the decades, and they’ve all been healthy and happy until their last days, which have always been many long years.
Cleanearth, I love hearing about you taking walks with the dog and cats. Years ago I had a cocker spaniel and five female cats – a grandma, her daughter, and her three daughters that we didn’t expect but when we adopted her from a newspaper ad we didn’t know she was pregnant. I loved those five females and considered them my tribe – and so did the dog. We would take long walks out in the fields that were once there (now gone to student housing – sigh) and just have the most wonderful times together. The last one – my Luna kitty who was 19 and just the most wonderful cat – just recently passed away.
I also agree with you about the poisons. I gave her a flea treatment once (Luna, who was a smallish cat) and it was horrible! She became so sick I never did it again. The cats would go out and roll in the dirt and were pretty successful in keeping themselves free. They had a kitty door and I can’t count the number of birds, frogs, mice, etc. brought in the house. My daughter got really good at catch and release!
The cost of veterinary services was so very high that I probably won’t be able to afford another pet for a while. And I do think the shelter could charge less – maybe a sliding scale for those who really have tight finances but would be good pet owners.
Thanks so much for your stories about your animals. Much appreciated.
Common sense is what’s needed in charging fees for adoption from shelters. I agree with you that a sliding scale would be helpful. People who love and take good care of animals come in all income brackets, and a higher income is no guarantee of better care or more love, sometimes just the opposite.
Money isn’t what’s important to animals; what they need is love and treating them as the natural animals they are. Think like (do some research) a dog or cat or fish or gerbil–what is it they do in their natural lives that they enjoy? Then provide that as much as possible.
“My animals are allowed to run freely around my property (Oh! the Horror!) and in and out of the house, as is natural for them.”
Yes, the “horror.” That’s irresponsible. Would you allow a 3- or -4-year kid to do that? Not likely. That’s about the human mental age of a well-developed cat or dog.
If you live in the country, cats are prey to coyotes and fishers, along with hawks.
No matter where you live, vehicles pose the biggest threat. I’ve removed a dead cat from the middle of the street near where I live. I’ve rushed to the vet a cat whose internal organs had been crushed by a car whose driver didn’t even stop.
The outdoors is infested with parasites and other maladies — including other cats who will fight for territory.
Cats are quite adaptable to living indoors. The 10-year-old I adopted showed no interest in going outdoors, even though her former owners had descibed her as happiest outdoors. She was quite content to nap on the bed, the futon, or my lap. The 6-month-old I adopted was a wild one (he still is). But he took to wearing a harness and put on a leash like it was second nature.
Indoor cats have a much longer lifespan than cats that go outdoors.
Yes, ryanrobbins, perhaps a do-nothing cat that sits in the window looking longingly outside its entire life might live longer…….but at what cost to the cat’s natural nature?
How would you like to be confined to one house your entire life and not allowed out the door? You aren’t afraid to leave the house for a bit of an adventure; empathize with your cat.
Poor cat. Such a sad, nothing life.
Puppies and kittens cost more to adopt. Of course, you never bothered to check BHS’s web portal or FB page before shooting off your mouth?
Some were *free*.
http://www.bangorhumane.org/news.php
In December 2006, I adopted two wonderful cats: a 6-month-old kitten and a 10-year-old adult. The kitten cost me $100, and the adult was free. My family thought I was taking a big risk adopting Ayla, the 10-year-old. They thought there had to be something wrong with her. She was the most mellow, polite cat you could ever meet. She died only a few days shy of our four-year “anniversary.” I wouldn’t have traded those four wonderful years for anything. Her step-brother still perks up when he sees videos of her.
I never adopt kittens–always adult cats. Props to you for adopting a senior pootie, Ryan!
BHS was very clear, re: what types of pets would be available (via their web portal and FB page). Some were from out of state “kill” shelters.
If there’s *anything* that irritates me, it’s people who are too lazy to read before shooting off their mouths.
In addition, BHS’s available pets are easy to locate on their portal, via Petfinder.com; and on FB.
Depending upon the pet, the fees may indeed be lower; and discounted immunization clinics are also available.
….of course, that’s for folks who can read & comprehend.
Play nice, mainefem.
You said, “Some were free.” Thereby proving my point that when fees are lower or non-existent, more animals will go to hopefully good homes. And there would be less chaos at these special events where animals are “free.”
Wrong–you obviously didn’t check either BHS’s web portal or FB pages before running your mouth!
Some of the pets yesterday were indeed from out of state “kill” shelters.
Of course, hardly anyone who’s whining & moaning on this thread bothered to read either one.
Furthermore, BHS does offer low-cost immunization clinics, etc.
Where would one be most likely to *find* said info?????
Puppies and kittens certainly weren’t free. It’s the special needs and/or senior pets whose fees are lower (sometimes free, but what fool wouldn’t leave a donation, if given a free pet)??
We adopted our Yorkie from an elderly woman that was no longer able to care for her. She came to us without having any up-to-date shots and without being spayed yet. We tried the shelter numerous times but were unable to find a good match (and a dog under 15 lbs as that is all our landlord allows) – trust me, I would have gladly paid the adoption fee at the shelter as they get a check up, their shots, and spayed or neutered for the $75-$160 price they charge. We have spent triple that just to get what the shelter offers.
Those fees help to offset the costs required of the shelter to provide for the animals. Without those fees, there would be no shelter, and many animals would be needlessly euthanized. Also, someone who is willing to initially invest $100 in a young kitten is much more likely to be a responsible pet owner. These are living beings, not toys.
Fees help however they are not the only source of operating income for the shelters.
Don’t be arrogant, elitist, and insulting, ryanrobbins. There’s no need of that.
Of course we all know those fees help pay for the shelter. Obviously. Clearly. BUT, $100 for a kitten? Please.
Should only people with hefty incomes be allowed to rescue pets from the shelter?
I submit many more animals would find good – yes, good – homes if the fees were lower. I know that’s true in my case.
I have several cats which “found” me (ignorant city people drive out to rural areas and drop off unwanted pets at farm homes), and one 10-year-old Golden Retriever I have taken in because her owner was no longer able to take care of her. She’s lovely, goes everywhere with me, and loves everybody, including the formerly-abandoned cats who go for walks with us.
All eat very well, are healthy and happy, and get plenty of attention. But I have only a modest income so I absolutely would not have acquired them from a shelter that charged me $100 or more for other people’s throw-away animals.
If shelter costs are really that high, even with lots of donations, town subsidies, and much volunteer labor, perhaps shelters need to advertise for more volunteers, ask food suppliers for more donations of animal feed, (which they likely already do), and look for other ways to cut costs.
Then they could get more animals into good homes sooner. That is, of course, the reason shelters exist, yes?
That $100 for a kitten may seem high when you think it is for the kitten only, but it not only helps to cover the cost of the spay or neuter and vaccinations (and possible upper respiratory infection, worms, etc), it has to help cover the cost to heat the shelter in the cold Maine winters; the cost of insurance, the cost to pay staff (which is usually minimum wage or slightly over). I volunteer over 500 hours a year at an animal shelter in Maine and believe me, that shelter is in dire need of more volunteers, which it is ALWAYS advertising for in one way or another…but somehow the same few people week after week volunteer. Occassionally a new volunteer comes on, but usually after 1 or 2 times volunteering, they stop coming, for whatever reason. This is how it is at all shelters. It is NOT that easy to get volunteers to come on a regular basis. You make it seem like asking for more volunteers or more donations means getting more of each. It is just not that simple. Town subsidies??? The shelter I volunteer for only gets money from the towns it takes in strays for….strays that need food, heat, and evenutally vetting if they are not claimed (which I’m pretty sure is close to 75% of the time)…and those “town subsidies” are not all that much for a year’s contract. Lots of donations??….well, donations are down everywhere simply due to the economy…this is understandable…and even food donations are down and what people can afford to donate, unfortunately is mostly low quality food like Ol’ Roy, which has no nutritional content (it is filled with dyes and other crap that causes dogs to have diarrhea more than it does anything else). The shelter I volunteer at is constantly having to buy higher quality foods just to make the dogs feel better (grain free, sensitive stomach, ED, etc.)…and sometimes they can get a discount on this food, but even 20% on a $50 to $70 bag of food is not all that much. I don’t think there was anything insulting or arrogant about what Ryan Robbins posted…he is obviously more informed than you are with what shelters are going through. Kudos to you for taking on animals and seeing to it that they are cared for, but there would be no shelters without the fees they charge for the animals and the world would be inundated with stray animals as a result of no shelters. Maine shelters and shelter staff are not getting rich, and is it wrong to want the animals they care for and bond with to go to homes where they can feel comfortable that they will get the proper care they need??
Thanks for a reasoned response. Of course shelters need money, but, clearly they had too many animals with not enough of them being adopted which is why they had to hold this special event where some were free.
The problem is that many people who would love to have a pet simply cannot afford those high fees, even though they could and would take excellent care of the animal.
Most of us rural people are offered free animals frequently, and I take care of as many as I can, including feral cats which occasionally show up half-starved, but which cannot be approached or touched. One does what one can.
Lower fees = more animals adopted to hopefully good homes. This is obvious.
How to lower the fees so the shelters can stay open? $70 for a bag of dog food? Stunning.
I buy bulk fresh chicken when it’s at a good price at the supermarket and cook it slowly in water, which becomes gravy, then I cut up some chicken and put it and some of the chicken water in with the good quality dog and cat food I get from Hannaford’s. This makes the animals healthy and happy without costing me too much.
Yes, shelters are stretched, but keeping costs down has to be the answer, rather than charging high fees for animals looking for good homes. That only delays their chances of getting a good home which may not be high-income, but which will love them forever.
How to lower expenses further? I’m not in the shelter business so can only make possible suggestions, but lowering costs is clearly the answer to getting the animals out to hopefully good homes, not by charging high adoption fees.
“Lower fees = more animals adopted to hopefully good homes. This is obvious.”
No, it’s not. Lower fees means the shelter would have to skip on providing basic health care for the pets. People looking to adopt who have no concept of what it means to own a pet would be more likely to forego taking up the initial slack in health care. Right off the bat, the animal is at a disadvantange.
But there’s an option for those who say they can’t afford $100 for a kitten: adopt an older cat. Older cats aren’t as active or as physically demanding as kittens. When I adopted from the Bangor Humane Society, I not only got a 6-month-old kitten, I got a 10-year-old who had been at the shelter for two weeks after her owners had decided she wasn’t worth taking with them when they moved.
What a wonderful and grateful girl Ayla turned out to be! I had her for only four years, but I don’t regret that short time one bit. Nor did she.
Even if someone is struggling financially, it isn’t impossible to save a little at a time (called preplanning vs an impulse) and have that money available. The next question I would have is why would someone who is struggling financially want to take on the expense of an animal? We have dogs and between feeding, vets and grooming, it is not inexpensive but we can afford it. We would not have them if we could not. Though it may not be the answer someone who is struggling wants, it doesn’t make sense to take on an expense one cannot afford. That seems irresponsible at best.
I never said I was struggling financially, but that I have a modest income. It’s pretty arrogant and elitist for you to tell me – whom you do not know – how to manage my money.
Can hardly believe you’d dare speak to me with such condescension. You definitely do NOT know very much about how to treat other people. I am concerned about your animals, if this is how you treat people.
I don’t buy my pets; they come to me one way or another over the years: strays, neighbor’s dog or cat accidentally had puppies or kittens, older people can’t take care of their pets any longer, found one good dog on the side of the road where she’d been for days the neighbor said, another was about to be shot because people couldn’t take care of her anymore, etc.
As I said earlier, ignorant city people drop cats, especially, sometimes dogs, too, off in front of farm homes assuming we’ll take care of them. Many we do, but others simply perish from starvation or cold or from the many predators running loose in the woods.
I’m laughing because “grooming?” Please…………..{~;>
I brush my dog and cats (those which aren’t feral so I can touch them), and do my own bathing of the dog.
Bringing your dog(s) into a place where many other dogs have been seems to me putting your own dog(s) in harm’s way because of parasites or heartworm contagion. Or, at the very least, exposing them to toxic chemicals those places use to try to keep parasites out.
My Golden Retriever doesn’t need professional “grooming;” she just needs lots of love, good food, and a comfy puffy bed to sleep on. Besides lots of walks and visits to the neighbors who also have dogs treated as lovingly as mine.
You are a really rude person with a bad case of superiority complex. Get over it. Grow up.
As much as I respect a portion of the things you are saying, I do find it off-putting for you to continue to say things like “ignorant city people” along with calling anyone with an opinion differing from yours an “elitist”. Have you seen all these “ignorant city people” driving out in their fancy city cars heaving pets onto the lawns of “country folk”? I can’t see that being the case. And as you said, these people replying to your comments “don’t know you at all” so maybe you’d consider not judging those who you do not know. Not all city people are ignorant. And bytheby, I am not from the city.. so this is not a personal defense.. just an observation.
Hi – Didn’t mean all city people, only the “ignorant” ones who drive out and drop their unwanted animals in rural areas near our homes.
Yes my fellow rural people and I have seen people drop off animals. One guy from a nearby town dropped off his wolf dog hybrid right at my driveway – and the wolf dog headed straight for my ducks, which were visible from the road. I chased the wolf dog temporarily but it kept coming back. Free food!
The guy didn’t know I saw him, but I called his uncle and his uncle made him come back and pick up the wolf dog. I was sorry because he probably killed it, but I already had three large dogs at that time.
I could not have kept the wolf dog because it’s almost impossible to train them out of attacking and eating prey creatures, of which I had many, including sheep, chickens. etc.
I’ve caught several dogs wandering down the road looking for their owners. The dog catcher makes an effort to find their people, only to discover that they’ve left town.
Sometimes summer people don’t want to be bothered taking an animal back home – perhaps they got it for their children while they were up here – so they just leave them to fend for themselves.
So it’s either feed them or watch them starve, which isn’t an option for anyone of decent conscience.
That’s how I’ve acquired most of my cats and dogs over the years, all of whom are beautiful, of course…….{~;>
cleanearth, about the only thing you and I agree on is that you do seem to provide the pets in your care affection. But that’s only a portion of what pets deserve. And I just wanted to point out that “grooming” includes trimming nails in a way that doesn’t harm the “quick”. And oh yah, expressing anal glands. Ya gonna do THAT?
Yes, I have a special nail trimmer for my Golden Retriever’s nails, which rarely grow too long because we take lots of walks. Re anal glands – don’t have boy dogs and have never had a dog that had that problem.
However, since I’m an organic farmer who has raised sheep, chickens, geese, turkeys, etc., etc., I have done many things others might consider “icky.” If my dog’s anal glands needed expressing, of course I’d do that, too. No big deal.
So there, my dog is happier and better taken care of than your dog, nyah,. nyah………isn’t that what your posts are about?
Grow up.
I can’t argue with your “logic”. No really. I can’t because my head will blow up. Thanks for letting me know to grow up. An adult leaves a conversation & refuses to have a battle of wits with someone who is unarmed.
Hey, I like that quote “battle of wits with someone who is unarmed” It isn’t original with you, though.
Here’s the thing: which would you choose: life in the prison of a house with people caring for your every need? Or life in the great outdoors, despite all its risks, with people caring for you when you choose to be home?
You ought to let your cat decide which s/he would like, too. Fair is fair.
I had only ever heard of the glands thing with one dog I had, an Australian Cattle-Mix…is this common with all dogs?? Never had a vet mention it yet besides her.
Insulting? Not in the least.
I’m not exactly rolling in money, either, but I had no problem writing a check for $100 to get my kitten back in 2006. Just the other day, I told him that was the best $100 investment I have ever made.
A lower adoption fee would mean more adoptions to people not fully committed to owning a pet, and greater expenses to cover things that the current fee covers: a physical exam, vaccinations, spaying or neutering.
I’ll say it again: These are living beings, not toys. That means not skimping out on basic health care for them. If you lower the fees, you’ll have to make up for services that would be cut at the shelter. That’ll end up costing you MORE.
So pretty much what you are saying here is if the adoption fee is “high” like $100 for a cat it has a lot better chance of going to a well deserved or committed family and home, so what about all the animals that went out the door for free this weekend? Are you saying they are with undeserving families considering them owners didn’t pay a dime?
Not at all.
Kittens are in high demand; seniors are not.
“Everyone” wants a kitten, but not everyone understands the commitment of owning a cat tat is such an early age.
Unfortunately, few people are interested in adopting much older cats. That’s why the 10-year-old I adopted in 2006 had been at the shelter for two weeks. The trade-off for offering senior cats for free is that whoever adopts a senior cat is probably more likely to understand the care and commitment needed, not to mention the fact that a senior cat surrendered at a shelter has already been spayed or neutered.
We adopted a 5 yr old last year and he is the sweetest,smartest ,best cat ever!!!! Adult cats rock!
Ridiculous arrogance. I know many people of modest means who own pets, often more than 1. They love them and take care of them as well as, often better than, people with more funds available.
Everyone gets rabies shots for their animals, of course; that’s the law. And if an animal is well-fed and well-loved and well-treated so they get plenty of exercise, they rarely get sick. I think it’s the animals stuck inside houses – an unnatural environment for them – their whole lives are the ones that get sick.
I feed four feral cats who live in my barn – they have wool-lined boxes with half-tops and they live out there year around. Predators can’t get in. They won’t come in the warmer house.
Two have been there for 7 years. Another appeared this past winter. Another stray who had his leg pulled out from his hip appeared over 12 years ago – he was obviously at least part Siamese – quite beautiful but not young.
Fortunately, with good food and comfortable bed, his leg healed – kind of amazing – and he lived happily, although I stillcouldn’t touch him, but he’d talk to me, around the house for another 12 years.
I think it’s stunning that people with more money than others should think they can tell those of modest means how to manage our money, and that we shouldn’t even be allowed to have these shelter animals! Absolutely stunning. So very wrong, and so very rude.
Sorry, but you’re wrong about diseases and so forth. It is a fact that indoor cats are less likely to develop diseases and more likely to live longer than outdoor cats. In fact, the Bangor Humane Society requires that you agree to keep your cat indoors.
Call it arrogance if it makes you feel better, but I am stating the facts.
Locked in one house for its entire life. How would you like that? Have some empathy for your cat.
I saw one laying on the side of the road just last week.
I wondered the very same thing.
Yup, things happen when any of us ventures outside. Weigh the chance to live a full life outside in Nature’s world, versus sitting in a window your entire life looking longingly at the great outdoors.
Any cat, given a chance, would prefer to be outside roaming around, and then come in again when it’s uncomfortable outside.
Let them choose inside forever or inside/outside their choice. You know which it would be, same as it would be for you.
Freedom.
I keep my cats inside… they have NO desire to go outside. Both were living outside in HORRIBLE nasty conditions. How DARE I bring them inside and give them a good home, spoil them and pay out the WAZOO for their vet bills. They must be soooo miserable.
You are a good person but not at all like what usually happens.
How do you suggest the shelter pay their expenses and stay open if they charge only $25 for a vetted animal?
Cheesus!
Don’t get her started !
First, the animals will have to start their own organic farm, living off the land and doing communal service for the privelege of staying free range …….etc.
Love it.
The shelter pets are a bargain, they already have their shots and they’ve been spayed/neutered. And they’ve had personality screenings that test possible scenarios in a home, that keeps many of them from being returned. Shelter pets are a bargain! And I wouldn’t think of getting a pet anywhere else.
I prefer the ones that come to me. Whether from neighbors or from ignorant city people who drop them off in front of rural homes where they would starve without someone feeding and taking them in, and so on.
Plenty of animals out here hungry and cold without shelter. My barn has boxes with wool lining so they can sleep comfortably and can come and go at will, along with food and water so they can eat even if they’re afraid of people because of mistreatment.
This inane prejudice against people of modest means – as if we wouldn’t know how to take care of animals – is all too pervasive. Many rural people don’t have much money, but we have our homes and our gardens and lots of love to share with our animals.
I can hardly believe the amazingly rude comments on this thread.
Outstanding! Nice work Humane Society!
this is VERY true!!! all shelters need to do this once a year!
The best news story of the year
I have three mice at my camp that might volunteer for adoption if the chow is right at their new homes. They insist that the menu not have -CON listed anywhere.
Should have gotten yourself a cat while the getting was good!
We have two new “house” cats. My expectations are low.
Sounds like a ¨Decon by Candle Light¨Dinner is going to have to happen.
be careful, a mouse eats D-CON then the cat eats the mouse, means that the cat ate D-CON. Bad thing.
Actually not, D-con works because mice cannot vomit, therefore d-con causes their stomachs to rupture. Cats, on the other hand, like dogs, can vomit and they will just throw it up or pass it. I know this because my beloved daschund ate an entire box and I called Whitehall Laboratories in England and spoke with their chief chemist when it happened. Nice people for the business they are in.
Why would you want to bother the little mice?
They don’t eat THAT much.
(Unless they’re drinkin)
Im thinking that this is a good thing!
What a great and wonderful story to read. A better one would be a story that reported the same thing happening in all of the Humane Society shelters in the State. Bravo for those who care for our beloved animal friends.
What a great story!
Thanks to everyone who did this wonderful thing!
How wonderful for all those animals! When my husband & I rescued our beagle, we thought he needed us so much……little did we know that we also needed him!! Congrats to all the animals & their new “forever” families.
Great news!
Who rescues who?
Yea! It’s about time we get a happy story!! Thank you all for bringing home a new pet today, it will bring you so much happiness and a whole lot of love..
wonder how many they will get back on monday
Not just Monday even…..
i am just being realistic. some people will find it takes alot to tke care of a animal. some will be allergic to the animal some wont like the smell of cate urine . there will be things they will be brought back in . i adopted a part siamese cat from bhs last summer she is so sweet . gorgeous light blue eyes great temperment. she is like a soul mate. when i am upset she comes to comfort me .
Me too, I am certain throughout the week and the month of April those animals will come back because someone thought it was so easy to take care of a free cat or a dog, or didn’t realize their dog would have so much energy and require some walking, etc When it comes to anything cheap or free, not many do their homework, they are just their because they are getting something cheap
yup they may become expensive in the long run. i adopted sebrina from their before dusty. sebrina just didnt seem happy always quiet . then one day i noticed she seemed lethargic and breathing heavy she was in years old when adopted her. come to turn out she had congestive heart failure cost me over 1000 dollars and i ended up having to euthanize her. then i got Dusty was a bit younger happier i dont think bangor humane society knew sebrina was a sick cat when they had her . she was a senior cat. some of these animal they adopted out may have health issues . i am happy with Dusty i kepted the names the BHS named them it would be good if none of them came back but i didnt say what i did to be mean
It’s a risk and nobody considers it can be a lot like having a child, it doesn’t mean they are going to be healthy, or never have a problem, etc. The last dog I got from there, the “previous owner” left quite a bit of information out, BUT I knew not to take that document word for word, it just gave me an idea to run with and test, spend some time with the dog, observed a couple of things, discussed it with the volunteer further, and they didn’t even have the dog for a week so I necessarily could not expect them to share every little thing or know it, in the end the dog went home with me, ever since it has been nothing but loyal, he always wanted to lay right by my desk when I was there working, lay out by the bathroom door, etc. He has learned it is OK to be in another room without me though nowadays. He has some separation anxiety which I expected based on the flaws I saw the previous owner had written. Great dog, spent time with him and some people also expect when they bring a dog home they take that paperwork for granted and expect the animal to function to know everything and when they don’t, they bring them back. Some people do not understand animals are companions, not toys.
Great news.
This story doesn’t make sense.
I don’t buy for one second that there are no strays in Bangor to be adopted. Every day I see stray cats around my neighborhood… I just brought one the other day to the animal shelter.It sounds like they killed all the animals and took the money to me.
Your comment doesn’t make sense. The article stated that the only animals left are those that have been there 7 days or less and can’t be adopted out. I believe they are required to hold on to the animals for a certain period of time before adopting them out in order to give the owners a chance to reclaim them.
You are right on that part, but they also stated that the shelter was completely empty, which its not, there are two dogs and a cat out there that can not be adopted yet
“The Bangor Humane Society shut down early Saturday after it ran out of adoptable animals for the first time in its 164-year history.”
Nowhere in the story is it said the shelter was “completely empty.”
No its on facebook though
yes, that is exactly how it is, Maine_Auntie. Jessica Tracy, you have it all wrong…why be so hateful.
I’m not sure what is hard to understand about the story. There are no animals left in the shelter to be adopted. They don’t ask people for $160 and then send them to the streets of Bangor with a large fishing net to catch their pick!
The only animals that are still there have to be quarantined for a week and vet checked before they are allowed to be adopted out.
Not to mention, that week is time for the original owner to claim their pet (if they want to, which most do not).
I guess you figured it out.
These all came from Alabama, most of them,
i went saturday and it was horrible there. They had no organization skills at all, the dogs were getting double adopted, at least four dogs were already adopted then another worker adopted the same dog. Staff was rude which was understandable since it was all busy. Next time if they do this i hope they find some better way of doing it, like take numbers
I agree that a first come, first served ticket system and limiting the numbers of folks charging the kennels would have made for less chaos. I did get the puppy of my choice but only because I was there at 9am and waited in line for an hour so I got right in. I also kept my puppy with me when I went out to process the paperwork because it was so chaotic I knew if I put her back in the kennel, she would not be there when I returned.
To address those complaining about adoption fees. I paid $230 for an 8 week old lab mix. The rates were a little higher than normal to help cover some of the transportation costs as they were brought up from a high kill shelter in Alabama. She was healthy, spayed, micro chipped, de-wormed and up to date on shots. To purchase a pup from from a breeder, plus a visit to the vet for the same would have cost double that.
Worth every penny to me and she is an adorable addition to our family!
congratulations, i bet the dog is beautiful and it will make a great addition especially if you have kids.
3 kids and a 4 year old schnoodle who has missed our 14.5 y/o black lab since we lost her to old age. They are bonding quickly :)
Good for you for getting a new addition to the family. We got our family pet from a breeder out of state as well, from Arkansas. 250 for the dog and 250 for the Delta ticket. But it was well worth it. To all those who found a new friend for life, congrats!
it’s OK for an employee to be rude if the store is busy ??
No not at all, not what i meant at first, i put that wrong. I have already sent a email to Bangor Humane society, but no response yet on why they were rude
I agree, I was there Friday, and complete disorganization. It could have been much better. We had dibs on 3 dogs to visit with, in one case a staff member took the tag off the window, then would come back and say “Oh they are already adopted” then we get another staff member “OK I will go get that dog and be right back” 10 minutes later the girl comes back and asks us “Can I help you?” and my wife said “Yeah we were waiting for you to bring out the dog we were interested in seeing” and then she says “Oh someone else is adopting them now” the third time I won’t even go there with what happened but I got really ticked off and short fused with people very quickly including the staff and wound up leaving. People were rude like it was a firckin Wal-Mart, and furthermore I am willing to bet their screening process to match animal to owner, and do some vet checks (like they used to) were probably never done right so even though these animals are out of a shelter, I bet they wound up in homes that were a complete no match and the only reason why they are out of the shelter was because they were free. It’s too bad.
I understand that you were upset. But look at the BIG picture: Instead of getting upset because you didn’t get what YOU wanted, you should be happy that the pets got what THEY wanted.
Yes,because we all know the new way of life is people before pets.
In no way did I say I was upset that I did not get what I wanted, the content of my post focuses on the disorganization from my view of how the event went, in no way did I expect perfection, just some people had a different way of how that program was run
You are right they did get what the wanted, and i can guarantee i know at least seven of those dogs will be back by Friday night. Or out side on street. Not gonna say why, but they will seee
I agree with Ryanrobbins. I was there friday and as a volunteer that helped out that weekend I believe we did the best to not be rude like you said we were. Yes we were disorganized. Its our first time running this event. Just again look at the BIG Picture I am sorry you did not get what YOU wanted and we take pride in our pets when we get a pet all the vet checks are done properly and the matching process is DONE CORRECTLY. Just as ryan said Be happy with the pets got what THEY wanted a new place to call home and a new family that will take care of them.
Thanks for volunteering, Brittany. It’s appreciated!
See my original post again before focusing on a reply that claims I am not happy that I did not get what I wanted, then read my reply to ryanrobbins and then come back with a more constructive response I am not sure how you a volunteer can go out on a limb to say I am not happy that I didn’t get what I wanted, when I didn’t even get to see an animal to begin with, I don’t know about you but as a non volunteer, typically the adoption process for me starts with interest in an animal, then see the animal and start focusing on if it would be a fit, if the animal is right for my home then decide if I should move forward. So before you throw in words that I didn’t even mention as someone who was there and done that, accept the fact that things could have run better, I was offered to personally have a discussion with a member of management but declined and posts like yours, discourages me from doing so when someone who helps the shelter can come out and blast me with words I did not even use in my original post and accuse me of such things and oh by the way, when I got my last pet from the shelter, nobody asked who my vet was….and get your caps lock key fixed, before you speak about how you think things ran from your view understand your clients are your biggest critic and vital to feedback in an operation or a business, not just how your teenage attitude sees it
Passive-aggressive much?
Get *over* yourself!
Troll much? Get over yourself instead I am well over myself as I had nothing to get over
Your a volunteer, well thank you for volunteering. In all honesty, it might not have been you that was rude, i can tell you three females were totally dis respectful to me and also a male that i asked the same question to three times. Another thing that makes me so mad at the shelter is when you grab a cat dont grab it by its neck, reach in carefully and grab it, you all should have the rabies shot, if not the bhs should not have you working there or volunteering. It was mean to grab the cats by its neck and walk out with them hanging from the workers
dkenzie, you may not know this but grabbing a cat by the back of the neck is the proper way to pick up a cat. First, cats are designed to be picked up like that, their mothers carry them like that so it normal for cats. Second, most shelters have strict rules about an animal attacking someone. Most of the time if the attack is documented the animal will be put down after isolated for observations.
From what i am told by director of Humane society, they are to pick them up from the back and put hand underneath, all those animals are sweet, well exception on 1. Which he got adopted by the way. I have seen it twice, it got reviewed on tape, did anything get done, NO. I still adopted a animal but as far as after that i will not adopt again from them
Are talking scruffing and placing a hand under it to support some of its weight. If yes, then that is the preferred method, mainly because it looks better. Most directors of shelters I have met really don’t do much with the day to day care of the animals. They keep the books and deal with the big picture stuff. The person you want to talk to about the treatment of animals at a shelter is the Senior Care Tech., they deal with the animals all the time, have the most training, and understands the big picture. I will agree with you, that I won’t adopt from BHS ever. If the only animals in that shelter are animals they can’t legally put up for adoption they are doing one of three things. 1. adopting out animals that shouldn’t be adopted. 2. transfer animals that can’t be adopted (which is just lazy) 3. putting down way too many animals.
Sleepycreek… you’re saying you’d rather adopt from a nice puppymill than a humane society? very valiant of you
No, if im going to buy a dog I will go to animal shelters that I have dealt with before. Will clarify that if I get a hunting dog, I will get it from some of the breeders I know.
So glad this turned out to be a success. Charlie, your pup is adorable; you both look totally content! Good for you. My dog makes me smile morning to night. Good for the soul.
Best day ever!
I took in a stray cat in 2005. The cat was mangled, matted,nightmarish-skid-dish personality. Eyes nearly shut, injury to a neck[we believed later to be a car hit]. It took a good 3 months for the cat to settled in, $300 to get him fixed up about 2 years to really trust us. Seven years later ,the cat is best! most tame cat we have ever had. Loving. Obedient.
What a good problem. Thanks to all who adopted a pet and are giving it a great home.
ADOPT THE STRAYS they need homes like me
We adopted Mia, a Britney Spaniel, from the Waterville Humane Society today. We hadn’t heard of any special deals going on at any of the shelters. We just walked in. As soon as we spotted Mia, we knew she was coming home with us. The adoption fee was more than reasonable too. I would have gladly paid more than the $40 adoption fee they were asking.
Awesome story!
It is nice to know that with all the bad press Mainers have been getting lately, we still get some things right. Congratulations to the BHS! Keep up the good work.
Dogs rule and so do good people. A good story to see on a beautiful Maine morning, even if the photos blurred my vision a little. Thank you
Wonderful……Good News. Need to hear more like this.
Great News !
Just awsome
Applause and cheers!!! Not only for the Humane Society but those that stepped up and adopted a pet!!!
Wonderful news but this is April 1 … is this an April fools day joke ?
For anyone who was disappointed at Bangor H.S. Saturday, there are PLENTY of good cats in Lubec at Save Our Strays a private shelter run by a great woman. She will let you choose a cat by holding it and playing with it until you find the one which fits you. They are not held in cages, so they do not get overly excited by being held or petted.
S.O.S. has a large number of Tuxedos, a breed known for being very gentle and good with children.
Come get a cat…. They make excellent friends.
First of all- don’t kid yourself- nothing you buy at Hannaford’s for pets is *healthy*. Secondly, as has been stated a million times, a *free* dog or cat needs vaccines, needs to be neutered, de-wormed, etc. Price out any vet- $100 adoption fee is a bargain. No one who works at a shelter is getting rich- the adoption fees are for the care, the staff and building maintenance. The only adoption fees I have ever seen lower are in the South, and in those cases, its because they are not neutered, and not vaccinated.
And increasing state subsidies? You’re kidding.