On Saturday, I had an opportunity to mosey on over to the Humane Society of Knox County, one of the local shelters here in midcoast Maine. As is usually the case, things were hopping. As soon as I walked through the door, I heard a series of feeble, high-pitched "eep-eeps." Theresa Gargan, the shelter director, quickly summoned me over to a cat carrier, where four newborn kittens were nestled under a heated towel.
"They're orphans, poor things," Theresa explained. Former HSKC employee and current foster mom extraordinaire Kendra Cochran was preparing her car to take the kittens home, where she'll be responsible for feedings every two- to three- hours until the newbies are a bit older.
Meanwhile, a mom and her two sons were in the process of adopting an adorable, fawn-colored bunny rabbit (HSKC houses cats and dogs primarily, but occasionally takes in smaller animals when there's a need). While the littlest boy wandered among the cat cages, I spent a little time in the well-ventilated, sunny cat porch, getting to know some of the residents, including this sweetie.
Afterward, I walked the grounds to check in with some of the many dogs for adoption at HSKC, many of whom were outside in their exercise pens, getting a break from their kennels. The facility has several large outdoor enclosures with secure, high fences so that the pups in residence get a chance to run off a little steam, practice their socialization skills with both people and other dogs, and meet potential adoptive families in a setting that's not quite so loud or so charged as the inside of the shelter itself.
The Humane Society of Knox County was the first animal-related job I ever had - at least, the first where I ever got paid. I cleaned out kennels, walked dogs, fostered a beautiful, deaf white cat named Victoria while she convalesced during her pregnancy, learned how to give vaccines and even how to draw blood. Though the money was nothing to celebrate - as seems inevitable in animal rescue, - I was in heaven. I was with animals, day in and day out. It gave me a taste of what it was like to be part of a caring community of fellow animal lovers, and a glimpse of all that's possible when compassionate, dedicated people work together for a common cause.
Today, nearly twenty years later (youch - how the time flies!), HSKC continues with its mission of "caring for unwanted and homeless animals while participating in activities advocating responsible pet ownership and the prevention of abuse and cruelty." The small facility serves twenty-two towns in midcoast Maine, and its official policy is to euthanize only when severe physical or behavioral issues make humane euthanasia the most viable option for the animal.
This week, I'm very pleased to make HSKC the focus of Rescue ME. We'll meet a whole lot of worthy cats and dogs (and even a guinea pig or two!) looking for forever homes, talk to the devoted staff, and get a glimpse into some of the many great, educational programs the shelter offers area residents. HSKC will have a permanent page on my website, which you can find here, and be sure to check in again over the course of the week to learn more about this hard working, small-town shelter.
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