Bark + Brew has always been a party with a purpose, and this year, our community took that purpose to another level. Between tickets, sponsorships, the bar, the silent auction, the 50/50 raffle, and donations, we didn’t just reach our fundraising goal. We crushed it. Even better, every dollar raised helped push the Sherman Medical Fund across the finish line.

That means the 2026 Sherman Matching Fund Campaign is officially complete! Our community raised the full $75,000 needed to unlock a matching $75,000 gift from Henry and Martine Labrie, bringing the campaign total to $150,000 for the medical care of animals at PMHS. These funds help cover everything from routine care and dental work to emergency surgeries, specialist appointments, and treatment for animals with complex medical needs.

Henry and Martine made this campaign possible through their extraordinary generosity and kindness. Their $75,000 challenge gave every donor the chance to double the impact of their gift, and our community answered. We can’t think of a better way to honor their commitment than by bringing hundreds of people together, having an awesome time, and making sure animals in need receive the care they deserve.

Bark + Brew was loud, busy, fun, and full of compassion. It also proved how much this community can accomplish together. To everyone who bought a ticket, sponsored the event, donated, bid, volunteered, danced, ate, drank, or cuddled a puppy: you helped make this happen. What a way to close out the Sherman campaign!

You came for the party and helped make something incredible happen. Thank you! Interested in sponsoring Bark + Brew 2027? Let’s talk! Contact Kasey at Kasey@PopeHumane.org.

Thomaston artist Jim Sollers is a longtime freelance illustrator whose work may be familiar to sailors and fishermen from publications including Cruising World and National Fisherman. His illustrations have also appeared on novel covers and in five children’s books published by Down East Books. Jim created his acrylic cat paintings especially for this exhibition.

Painter and graphic designer Marjorie Strauss has called the midcoast home for many years. After earning a BFA in painting from Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, she was drawn to Maine by its rugged beauty and independent spirit. Her work spans pastel, oil, acrylic, and clay, with subjects ranging from the ocean and landscapes to trees, flowers, and portraits. Among the cats she painted for “Sheltered Cats” are Bustah and Missy, a brother-and-sister pair she adopted after fostering them through PMHS.

The PMHS Art Wall gives local artists a place to share their work while brightening the shelter lobby for visitors, adopters, and everyone who comes through our doors. Stop by through October to see “Sheltered Cats,” and be sure to say hello to the animals while you are here.

Pope Memorial Humane Society is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Interested in exhibiting your work on the PMHS Art Wall? Email art@popehumane.org.

August was a veritable zoo at Pope Memorial Humane Society. It’s almost like we’re a humane society or something!

But seriously, August was a fantastic month. Sixty-two animals headed home with loving families, and another 13 were reunited with the people who had been missing them. That is 75 animals who went home!

Of course, every single adoption matters, but one in particular calls for a few extra exclamation points: Jumping Bean, our longest-resident cat, was adopted!!! Seeing her head home with her new mom and a feline friend left everyone crying happy tears.

Thank you to the volunteers who give their time in so many different ways, the foster families who open their homes, and the donors who keep the animals supplied and cared for through both in-kind and monetary gifts. Thank you to our social media fans, who have become experts at sharing posts, leaving comments, and helping more people see the animals who need them. And, of course, thank you to every adopter who chose to make room in their home and their life for a PMHS animal. August was a fantastic month because of all of you!!!

Last week, Ryan from the Strand stopped by the shelter to deliver the donation, which meant we had no choice but to make him hold a cat for the photo. We really had to twist his arm. Crosby was more than willing to help and made himself right at home in Ryan’s arms, although he may have been a little annoyed that Ryan also had to hold the check – Crosby wants all the attention.

Crosby isn’t quite ready for adoption, but he will be soon. In the meantime, he would like everyone to know that he is a total love and an excellent representative for cats on camera.

Thank you to the Strand for once again hosting CatVideoFest and supporting PMHS, and to everyone who bought a ticket, settled into a theater seat, and spent time laughing and celebrating all the feline antics with fellow cat people. You helped turn a collection of ridiculous (in the best way) cat videos into a donation to support the homeless pets in our care at PMHS!

July was busy, a little chaotic, and filled with reasons to celebrate. Over the course of the month, 62 animals found homes, and we couldn’t be more excited for every family that welcomed a new companion.

We saw kittens, adult cats, senior cats, dogs of all ages and breeds (including three corgis!), and rabbits all head home. One of our favorite moments was watching Star finally find her family after a longer stay at the shelter. We also celebrated another successful adoption through our satellite adoption program at Thomaston Public Library, a wonderful reminder that great matches happen beyond the walls of the shelter.

Every adoption is worth celebrating. It means an animal starts a new chapter, a family grows, and a space opens at PMHS so we can help the next animal who needs us. Take a few minutes to watch the video below and celebrate all 62 of July’s adoptions. You might recognize a familiar face or two!

To everyone who adopted, volunteered, fostered, donated, shared our posts, or cheered us on throughout the month, thank you. Your support made these 62 adoptions possible.

Here’s to even more happy matches in August!

Over the past few weeks, nearly 70 animals have arrived at PMHS, with more, especially kittens, coming through our doors every day. We’re at capacity (and then some!), and the best way to make room for the next animal that needs our help is to find loving homes for the animals already in our care.

That’s why, from Saturday, August 1 through Saturday, August 8, all cat, kitten, and rabbit adoption fees will be 50% off!

Promotional Adoption Fees

• Adult Cats: $42.50
• Kittens: $80
• Rabbits: $25

Every cat and rabbit available for adoption has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped (cats), comes with a certificate for a first free veterinarian exam, and is ready to start their next chapter.

Ready to meet your new best friend or family member?

The first step is to complete an online adoption application. Once you’re approved, plan to stop by the shelter and let our adoption team play matchmakers. We’ll introduce you to the animals that fit your lifestyle, answer your questions, and help you get to know the personalities that make each one special. Sometimes the perfect match is exactly who you expected. Sometimes it’s the animal you never would have picked from a photo.

Come spend some time at PMHS. Meet a few new faces. We have a feeling at least one of them will make you smile and say aww!

Whether you’re thinking about adopting your first pet or adding another family member, there’s never been a better time to visit PMHS.

Every adoption has a story behind it, and our community is part of every single one. Whether you adopted, volunteered, fostered, donated, sponsored, or simply shared a post, you helped make these moments possible. Homeless animals found families because people cared enough to make a difference.

The video below captures just a few of June’s adoptions. We hope you’ll enjoy celebrating these new families with us. Thank you for continuing to stand with the animals of PMHS. We couldn’t tell these stories without you.

Jesse has been creating art for as long as he can remember. Although he pursued a career in law and became the first member of his family to graduate from college, art remained a constant part of his life. After many years practicing law, Jesse decided to return to his artwork full-time.

A largely self-taught artist, Jesse draws inspiration from nature, dreams, and personal reflection. His work spans a variety of styles and mediums, including mixed-media pieces created with recycled materials. His paintings reflect a wide range of influences, from realism to abstract and surrealist techniques.

Beyond his artwork, Jesse is deeply committed to animal welfare and operates a small animal rescue with his family. That passion for helping animals made partnering with PMHS a natural fit.

The PMHS Art Wall showcases local artists while supporting the shelter’s mission and creating a welcoming space for visitors, adopters, and community members. Stop by the shelter to view Jesse’s collection, meet the animals, and support both local art and animal welfare.

Pope Memorial Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Artists interested in exhibiting their work on the PMHS Art Wall can email art@popehumane.org for more information.

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