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!

Because January was big.

• Ninety-seven animals were adopted.

• 97 cats and dogs. All ages. All personalities. All coat lengths.

• 97 animals who left the shelter and headed home.

That is a number worth celebrating.

These adoptions didn’t just happen. They happened because our community showed up. You adopted. You shared posts. You talked about PMHS with friends. You supported the shelter in ways big and small. And because of that, 97 animals get to start their next chapter.

To everyone who adopted in January, thank you for opening your home and your heart. To everyone who supports this work, please know how much it matters. You are part of these stories, whether you realize it or not.

We are so grateful to our community (you) for making these adoptions possible!

97 is the magic number, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Have you fallen for a pup with the biggest brown eyes or a cat with the cutest face, but can’t adopt right now? This is the perfect way to brighten their (and your) day while supporting their care! Browse our adoptable pets and pick your favorite, or let us choose for you. We’ll make sure every pet feels the love.

For each Valentine purchased through February 14th, we’ll deliver a yummy treat to your chosen pet and place a heart with your name on their kennel or condo.

Choose Your Valentine Package:

 $5 – One Valentine
 $25 – Five Valentines
 $50 – Ten Valentines
 $100 – Twenty Valentines
 $350 – A Valentine for Every Pet!

Your kindness makes a difference! Help us fill the shelter with love and treats this Valentine’s Day.

We’ll be honest. With the holidays, the noise, and everything else competing for attention, we thought it might take a little time to meet the match. Instead, donations started coming in online and in person, and before we knew it, the full match was met, raising $10,000 total for this critical program.

At Pope Memorial Humane Society, we strongly advocate spaying and neutering pets. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce pet

overpopulation, improve animal health and wellness, and help prevent behaviors tied to females in heat and determined male suitors. Each year, hundreds of families in our community turn to this program for support.

Through the Spay/Neuter Assistance Fund, residents in our service area who are low-income or experiencing financial hardship can receive a voucher for up to $100 toward their pet’s spay or neuter surgery at participating local veterinary hospitals or clinics.

Because of this matching gift and the people who helped meet it, more pets will be spayed and neutered, more families will have access to care, and fewer animals will enter shelters in the months ahead. As spring approaches and kitten season ramps up, this support matters more than ever.

Thank you to the generous donor who made this matching gift possible, and to everyone who chose to give during the campaign. Because of you, more pets will get the care they need, fewer unexpected litters will be born, and more families will have support when they need it most.

And in the middle of all that, 100 animals were adopted through PMHS in December!!

These adoptions happened because people showed up. Staff and volunteers kept the shelter moving day after day. Adopters chose to say yes during one of the busiest months of the year.

January 1 doesn’t reset the work, but it does give us a moment to celebrate. 100 animals found their families. As you scroll through these go-home photos, we hope you feel the same pride, gratitude, and excitement for what comes next!

Thank you to our incredible community for being a vital part of this work and for helping carry it into the new year. We’re starting it off strong, and we’re ready to keep going. Now, Happy New Year!!!

When you stepped into the community room at Pope Memorial Humane Society this past December, you saw what you made possible. Bags, boxes, and gifts filled the room so completely that we had to clear walking paths to reach the doors. Your generosity turned the largest donation drive of the year into something powerful and deeply meaningful for the animals in our care.

By giving through the Holiday Pet Tree, you made sure animals at PMHS have what they need to get through the cold Maine winter. You filled bowls, stocked shelves, warmed kennels, and added comfort and enrichment to their days. Every donation helps our staff and volunteers focus on what matters most: caring for animals and helping them move closer to finding their second chance and their new families.

You also extended the reach of this drive by supporting our satellite Holiday Pet Trees throughout the community. Laurel’s Dolce Vita, Rockland Animal Hospital, Ruckus Donuts, and The Samoset Resort welcomed donations and encouraged their customers and clients to give, making it easier for animals to receive the care they need and deserve.

To everyone who donated, dropped off supplies, or encouraged others to participate, thank you. Your actions are making a difference in the lives of homeless pets in need. Thank you for being a part of their story.