MAINE, A HAVEN FOR RESCUE DOGS Maine’s reputation as a haven for rescue dogs began with a hurricane and a lot of dog lovers with heart. “After Hurricane Katrina, people affected by the floods just could not handle the volume [of homeless animals],” says Christine Fraser, who works for the State of Maine as the chief veterinarian for animal welfare. Many of those abandoned pets were shipped to Maine and other northern states. “In the process,” she adds, “people became aware of the high number of kill shelters in the South” and wanted to do something to help prevent the unnecessary euthanasia of animals. Now, thousands of unwanted dogs from places like Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee make their way to the Pine Tree State, where they are adopted by people willing to give them new homes. Exactly why the rescue road seems only to go one way—South to North—is somewhat of a mystery. But there is no doubt there is an overpopulation of dogs below the Mason-Dixon line. According to one source, it might be because it’s common in some of these states for owners “not to spay or neuter their pets, which encourages an epidemic” of unwanted dogs and cats. In Maine as in other nearby states, free clinics for spaying and neutering as well as effective public information campaigns to encourage the practices make a real difference. “Maine is certainly one of the bigger states for receiving rescue dogs,” says Fraser. “Animals here tend to get more medical care … the pet population is treated well.” She notes that some spay/ neuter programs are subsidized with State funds as well as the sale of specialty license plates that bear the words “respect. love. adopt.” next to silhouettes of animals. Fraser continues, “There also are more large scale breeding facilities in the South, so a higher volume of dogs is produced.” Some of that volume winds up in Maine. “We are dog-friendly,” she adds. “Most people here want to adopt, if they can.” There are benefits to the person adopting a rescue dog, as well as to the dog itself, which may help explain why so many Mainers are willing to open their homes to these animals. First, there is the cost. A purebred dog might cost thousands, while a shelter or transported dog usually can be had for a few hundred dollars, and often comes complete with vaccinations, neutering or spaying and sometimes even an embedded microchip. Buy from a breeder and you’ll have to pay for all
of those goodies yourself. Second, purebred dogs are notorious for genetic health issues because they come from limited gene pools. Rescue “mutts” are often less susceptible to these. That said there is always the risk of communicable diseases among transported dogs. “There will always be some problems,” Fraser says, even though she reports that the incidences of these (e.g. distemper, parvovirus, kennel cough) has diminished among rescue populations recently. “It’s like daycare. Kids will always get sick and pass things along.” Dogs, especially those under six months, do the same.
AREA RESCUES/SHELTERS Brunswick, Puppy Love, 207-833-5199 Cherryfield, The Ark Maine Animal Shelter, 207-546-3484 Cumberland, Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART), 207-829-4116 Freeport, Tall Tails Beagle Rescue, 207-797-5392 Fryeburg, Harvest Hill Animal Shelter, 207-935-4358 Kennebunkport, Lucky Pup Rescue, 207-967-6058 Milo, Penquis Animal Welfare Sanctuary, 207-6193526 New Boston (NH), Beagles of New England States (BONES), 508-473-2228
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Dogs Available for Foster and Adoption
Puppy Love is a non-profit which rescues dogs from likely death in highkill overcrowded shelters in Louisiana. For more info or to volunteer contact:
Puppy Love, Inc.
207-833-5199 www.puppyloveme.org
Visit us at gotravelmaine.com or downeastdognews.com
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