Throughout May, 35 animals found homes, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and cockatiels. An additional 13 animals were reunited with their families! Every adoption and reunion represents a new chapter, not only for the animals involved but also for the people who helped make those outcomes possible.

Whether you’ve adopted, fostered, volunteered, donated, shared a post, or simply followed along and cheered us on, you are part of these stories. We are fortunate to be a part of a community that believes in making a difference in the lives of homeless pets in need!

Most importantly, thank you to our adopters for opening your hearts and homes. We can’t wait to see adoption updates, but in the meantime, give your new family member(s) a treat from all of us at PMHS!

This past weekend, volunteers, supporters, staff, friends, and families spent the day helping freshen up Pope Memorial Humane Society inside and out. Flower beds were cleaned up, trails were raked, windows were washed, woodchips were spread, siding was scrubbed, and all sorts of behind-the-scenes projects got tackled as we prepare for the busy summer season ahead.

“There were probably about a hundred other ways people could have spent the first truly beautiful weekend of the season, and so many of you chose to spend it helping make PMHS look its absolute best,” said Executive Director Tracy. “Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and worked hard alongside us. After all the raking, scrubbing, hauling, and cleanup projects, getting to sit down together and share a picnic lunch felt like the perfect way to wrap up the day. Thank you!”

The picnic lunch was filled with all kinds of delicious food brought to share, and gave everyone a chance to slow down, connect, laugh, and enjoy some time together after a busy morning of hard work. It was one of those days that perfectly captured what PMHS is really all about: people showing up for animals and for each other.

Days like this do more than help the shelter look nice. They remind us that PMHS is surrounded by people who care about animals, this organization, and each other. We are so thankful to everyone who spent part of their weekend with us. The shelter and grounds look fantastic, but more importantly, the day left all of us feeling incredibly connected to this community. Thank you!!

*We even had a

There were puppies. There were goats. There were kids proudly carrying around handmade bird feeders, colorful posters they created for adoptable animals, and “Junior Veterinary Certificates” earned at the pretend veterinary station. Kids learned all about a dog’s incredible sense of smell at the scent station, created animal-themed bookmarks with Toby from the Thomaston Public Library, made their own “Savings for Shelter Pets” banks to collect donations for homeless animals, and crafted special cards and flowers to bring home to Mom for Mother’s Day.

And of course, Jeans Dream, the food truck, was a hit because, honestly, you can never go wrong with a grilled cheese.

Most importantly, the day was filled with people coming together to celebrate kindness toward animals and each other. We are so grateful to every family who attended, every volunteer who helped make the event possible, and every child who showed up ready to learn, create, and celebrate animals.

A special thank you goes to our Kids’ Day sponsors, First National Bank, First National Wealth Management, Maritime Energy, and Shepard Auto for helping ensure this event remains free for families in our community.

We already can’t wait for next year! Save the date for the 11th Annual Be Kind to Animals Kids’ Day on Saturday, May 8th, 2027.

April was a pretty great month at Pope Memorial Humane Society, and we are very excited to share that 46 animals were adopted! Why is that number so special? It includes multiple animals that were with us for a bit longer, including Janet the cat and Rue the dog! It also includes multiple animals who are now living the good life with families out on the islands, ferry trip home, anyone?! Cats, dogs, and even a pair of parakeets all found their people.

We also realized we should tell you about the animals who were reunited with their people. Ten animals who came in as strays last month were reunited with their families, and we think that is pretty awesome!

Long story short. Thank you. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, to everyone who donated in-kind and monetarily, to everyone who shared and commented on posts, and to everyone who recommended PMHS to their friends, family, and co-workers. You are all a part of these stories. You made these adoptions happen!

To the adopters, thank you!!! We can’t wait to see adoption updates.

We’re excited to welcome Thomaston artist Jim Sollers to the PMHS Art Wall in our lobby. His collection of oil paintings is now on display and available for purchase, with 30% of all sales benefiting the animals in our care.

Jim is a longtime freelance illustrator, known to sailors and fishermen through his work in nautical books and magazines, including Cruising World and National Fisherman. His art has also appeared on the covers of novels and in five children’s books published by Down East.

This show features marine scenes and Maine landscapes selected from his personal work over recent years. The pieces feel right at home here, offering familiar glimpses of the coast as you make your way through the shelter.

Jim lives in Thomaston, and we’re thrilled to have his work as part of the shelter space. You can catch the collection in our lobby through June 15.

Stop by, take a look, and spend a little extra time in the lobby next time you visit. Pope Memorial Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm.

If you are interested in exhibiting your work on the PMHS Art Wall, please email art@popehumane.org.

So why start here?

Because Sherman’s story didn’t end with his adoption. It’s the reason the Sherman Medical Fund exists, and why, starting now, we’re asking for your help.

We’re excited to share that our $75,000 matching gift campaign for the Sherman Medical Fund is officially live.

Animals come through our doors needing the basics. Food, a clean space, a safe place to land. And then there are the ones who need more. The truth is, most animals need both. Very few arrive fully ready for the adoption floor. Most need something, whether it’s vaccines, spay or neuter surgery, treatment for an injury or illness, or simply time to recover.

Barney is one of them. If you’ve visited recently, you’ve probably seen him holding court in the lobby like he owns the place. What you don’t see is the heart murmur that sent us to a specialist in Portland for answers.

Then there were the holiday puppies. Thirteen of them, all now home with their families. But their care doesn’t stop there. Each one will return to us for spay or neuter surgery when they’re old enough. Thirteen adoptions, and still thirteen surgeries ahead.

And then there’s Blade. He came to us with a wound no one could quite explain. That led to a state-mandated rabies quarantine and, ultimately, the loss of his back leg. Today, he’s healed and moving through the world on three legs, adjusting better than anyone could have hoped.

Right now, we’re also caring for kittens like Tiny Parrot, Raincloud, and Puddles. Tiny Parrot arrived alone at five weeks old with a bit of a wobble. Raincloud and Puddles came in even younger, fighting an upper respiratory infection. All are in foster care with staff, receiving round-the-clock attention. Their needs are still unfolding, but we know this much. Whatever they need, we’ll be ready to provide it.

That’s what the Sherman Medical Fund does. It covers the everyday care every animal needs, and it gives us the ability to say yes when things get more complicated. Diagnostics. Surgery. Follow-up care. Time.

This April, we have an opportunity to do even more.

Thanks to a generous matching gift from Martine Richard LaBrie and Dr. Henry LaBrie, every donation to the Sherman Medical Fund will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $75,000. If we meet this match, that’s $150,000 dedicated to the medical care of homeless pets in our community.

Because the truth is, we never really know who will come through our doors next or what they’ll need when they get here. What we do know is this. We will be ready.

This is the part you don’t always see. The exam that catches something early. The surgery that changes the outcome. The follow-up care that gives an animal the time they need.

Your support makes all of that possible.

If you’re able to give, your donation will go twice as far right now. If not, we understand. Sharing this story helps too.

However you choose to be part of it, you’re helping make sure the next animal who walks through our doors gets the care they need, whatever that may be.

Cats and dogs of all ages, rabbits, and even a pair of degus all found their people. Their homes. Their next chapter. This video is just a sprinkling of go-home moments from the past few weeks (not all of us love a camera), but the smiles say more than we ever could.

To our volunteers, thank you for showing up and putting in the time. To those who donated, whether supplies or support, thank you for making this work possible. To everyone who liked, commented, and shared, thank you for helping these animals get seen. To our adopters, you are wonderful!

It takes a lot of moving pieces to get to this point. You’re a part of that, whether you realize it or not. THANK YOU!

This year, The Samoset chose to split a portion of the proceeds between Pope Memorial Humane Society and AIO Food & Energy Assistance, supporting both animal welfare and community needs here in the Midcoast.

PMHS recently welcomed Connie and Mike from The Samoset to the shelter for a check presentation. During their visit, they met some of the animals in our care, including Brienne the puppy, who was more than happy to help make the moment memorable.

“It means a lot to be part of something that brings people together and gives back at the same time,” said Executive Director Tracy Sala. “We’re thankful to The Samoset team and to everyone who came out and made this event such a success for the animals at PMHS.”

Support from events like the Ice Bar helps provide food, shelter, and medical care for the more than 1,200 animals that come through PMHS each year.

We appreciate and thank The Samoset team for including PMHS this year, and to everyone who showed up and made the event what it is. Your night out turned into support for the animals in our care… and in Brienne’s case, a pretty great afternoon too. She was adopted later that same day.

Forty-six was the number in February.

Even with snow closures, our annual maintenance week, and what is typically one of our quieter stretches of the year, 46 animals went home.

Forty-six animals found their people. Their couches. Their cozy sun spots. Their families.

That does not happen by accident.

It happens because you show up. You donate food and supplies. You give financially. You open your homes to foster. You volunteer your time. And when the time is right, you adopt.

Every single one of those actions matters. Every single one helps move an animal from a kennel or condo to a home.

So take a minute and scroll through these photos. These are 46 fresh starts. Forty-six reminders that this community does not look away.

Thank you for being part of it.

Now, enjoy the smiles.

Pope Memorial Humane Society will be closed to public visits from February 16 through February 20, and we’ll reopen on Saturday, February 21.

Before anyone panics: the animals are still very much here, very much cared for, and very much unimpressed by our schedules.

So what’s happening during the closure? A lot.

This is the week our staff squeezes in continuing education and training, because learning new things makes us better for the animals. It’s also when we do all the behind-the-scenes work that’s hard to tackle when the shelter is open to visitors.

Think:

• Taking inventory of kitten supplies for the kitten season that is absolutely, definitely, without question coming.
• Deep cleaning and servicing shelter equipment.
• Replacing lightbulbs that require a serious ladder and a strong sense of self.
• Giving spaces a refresh.
• And yes, maybe even installing a new sink in the dog area. We’re feeling ambitious.

While the shelter will be closed for public visits, all assistance programs and resources remain available, including our pet food pantry and spay/neuter assistance programs.

If you need us, please call 207-594-2200. And if no one answers, please leave a message. We promise we’re not ignoring you. We’re just likely mid-training, mid-ladder, or mid-project. Our team will return your call as soon as they’re able.

Thanks for your patience, your understanding, and for always cheering us on while we do the work that keeps PMHS running smoothly. We’ll see you back at the shelter on Saturday, February 21 at 11 am!