Blackbird Animal Health

02/14/2024

11/10/2023

📣 Important Shelter Update: Fighting Panleukopenia and Caring for Our Cats 😺

As 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to update you on recent shelter events, and highlight our incredible, hardworking staff.

Over the past few weeks, we have been dealing with an outbreak of Feline Panleukopenia (FP). FP is a highly contagious disease caused by the Feline Parvovirus. There is no cure for FP, and while older cats are frequently able to recover, the virus is often fatal when found in young kittens. As always, our top priority is to ensure the well-being of every animal in our care.

Our dedicated staff has been working tirelessly, going above and beyond to provide the level of care these cats desperately need. The circumstances of helping so many cats that are so sick, many with poor prognoses, is heart wrenching, but 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙛𝙛. Since there is no cure for FP, the treatment plan requires intensive care to support the cats' overall health so that their immune systems can fight off the virus. Our Feline Animal Care Technicians have been working for eight hours a day in quarantined areas while wearing full PPE, and are pouring every ounce of their heart and soul into caring for these animals. This photo shows a staff member trying desperately to get a sick kitten to eat.

We also want to be transparent about the financial strain this outbreak has put on our shelter. The cost of caring for a large number of sick cats, providing medical treatment, and ensuring their recovery is substantial. Additionally, in the last month, we have taken in over forty cats and kittens from two different hoarding situations, and both groups broke with FP. Both of our campuses have been impacted, and there are still more animals from those locations that need to be rescued.

If you're in a position to help, please consider making a donation to our shelter. Your generosity will directly impact the lives of these cats and support the dedication of our hardworking staff. You can donate through our website or visit us in person at 5 Industrial Parkway in Brunswick. Together, we can overcome this challenge and continue our mission of giving these cats a chance for a better life.

If, like us, you are encouraged and heartened by our team’s dedication, please consider sending a gift card their way. $5 gift cards from Dunkin', Starbucks, Target, Hannaford, or other local businesses would mean the world to our staff members, and will be distributed directly to Animal Care Technicians. Should you feel inspired, please send e-giftcards to [email protected].

Thank you for your ongoing support, understanding, and for being a part of our animal-loving community. 🙏❤️

08/01/2023

We're running low on the linens that help keep our animals comfy and cozy! Do you have any blankets, sheets or towels to spare? These items provide comfort, warmth and privacy to the animals in our care, are used in our clinic during surgeries and exams, and help us keep living spaces clean. If you have any extra linens you'd be willing to donate, please drop them off at our Brunswick or Edgecomb location. Thank you!

07/27/2023

Dr Cote has been fostering these 2 sweet kittens and they’re now ready for their forever homes. They have been spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated and are available for adoption through Midcoast Humane. They are great with kids, dogs and other cats. They also super snuggly! Please let us know if you’d like to add them to your home!!

07/21/2023

07/06/2023

UPDATE: FANTASTIC NEWS!!! Dory is now home safe and sound! LOST CAT - DORY of Bodwell Street, Brunswick, Maine! Adult Short Hair Tortie Tiger Fixed Female Cat! Indoor Only & Likely Scared! Missing Since 06/29/2023! Has a Microchip! PLEASE DO NOT CHASE if Seen!

02/02/2023

Bangor Savings Bank's annual Community Matters More program launched today, and we are on the ballot this year! All you have to do to vote is visit bangor.com/cmm, click on 'Maine', then "Cumberland County" and check the box marked Midcoast Humane. If enough people vote for us, we will receive a $5,000 grant for the animals in our care!

11/18/2022

Blackbird Animal Health is looking for a part time customer service superstar. This position carries the privilege of working directly with our clients to schedule appointments, answer questions and help the rest of our tiny team provide the best care we can. The position starts at $20/hr and we’re looking for 15-20 hours a week. Job requirements: be an excellent human, have great communication skills, be able to work independently and cooperatively. Bonus: familiarity with the vet industry/medical terms, baking skills😉

Just a little background if you’re new here: we operate on the concept of Fear Free Cooperative Veterinary Care. We are an LBGTQ loving practice and we believe Black Lives Matter. We look forward to meeting you soon!!

09/22/2022

🐾 Paw it Forward Update:
In the last 8 days since Midcoast Humane's challenge to raise $50K in 50 days kicked off, we have raised $8020! Thank you to all who have contributed! ✨

❤ Help us reach $50K and show your support for animal welfare in your community by making a Paw it Forward donation today at: https://midcoasthumane.org/donate/paw-it-forward/ (Each dollar up to $50K will be matched by an anonymous generous donor)

💙 Want your pet featured during the Paw it Forward campaign? Share a photo of your pet striking their best 
"Paw it Forward" pose (like Gibbs pictured here). Either tag on social media or email your photo to [email protected].

Thank you! 💙❤️

09/14/2022

Our challenge to raise $50K in 50 days has kicked off! Each dollar up to $50K raised will be matched by an anonymous generous donor. We need your help to get there!

Midcoast Humane is one of the state’s largest animal welfare organizations, caring for 3,500 animals annually and serving 39 municipalities. Between the impact of the pandemic on our communities, and the current housing market, we are seeing a significant increase in pet owners making the painful and difficult decision to give up their animals for adoption.

Your generosity will allow us to make the services we offer in our new, modern sheltering facility more accessible to our communities. Please consider donating today at: https://midcoasthumane.org/donate/paw-it-forward/. Thank you!💙❤️

08/04/2022

I first started training when I raised puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind (GEB). Back in that day when the puppies reached a certain age, usually around 6 months, they were trained using a choke collar.

When I was raising one dog in particular, Maria, I had started learning about positive reinforcement training. I also started learning about the unintentional fallouts from using punishment-based methods.

I didn't know better.

I was a college student and just did what I was told by the organization.

Once I started learning 📖 , understanding the science 🧬, I stopped using the choke chain on Maria and switched to carrying a clicker and treats.

Part of raising a dog for Guiding Eyes you have to attend quarterly evaluations where they record 🎥 the dog's progress. It was on VHS if that tells you anything. I wish I had the video for proof, but my word will have to do.

There was a total of 3 videos of Maria. There was one right about 6 months when I first took over her training. On video to watch her, she kept her head down low, mouth closed, her tail wasn't tucked but it was just kind of limply hanging there. She never wiggled or acted excited. She was shut down.

Like I said it wasn't long after she came to live with me for raising/training that I switched over to using positive reinforcement.

Now mind you, using food wasn't allowed at this time so during the evaluations I had to put the choke collar back on her. I didn't need to offer any corrections but still it can mess with a dog's head.

The next quarterly evaluation compared to that first one, you could see a dog who was starting to come alive. She carried her head higher, had a little more pep in her step, just overall seemed happier.

By the third and final evaluation she was a different dog. Open mouth, wagging side to side, and when the evaluator would ask for a behavior, just saying the word, Maria would do it. I wouldn't even have to ask her. For instance, the evaluator said, "Ask her to "down"'. Maria hit the floor, tail just a thumping. She had transformed into a dog who enjoyed the training process and wasn't afraid to offer behaviors!

I share this story with you because I want you to know that I'm not perfect. 🤩 That as humans we don't always make the right decisions the first time. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆.

But when we know better, we can do better. For example, GEB has hung up the choke chains and now will use treats to train! 👏🙌

⭐️ 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 (𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥)?

⭐️ 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴?

⭐️𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦?

Shoot me an email 📧 or a direct message so we can set up a time to chat.

08/01/2022

Today marks the beginning of , a nationwide pet adoption and donation drive that helps find loving homes for animals like Smokey.

Smokey is a handsome, seven-year-old hound who would love to find a home with adults that live a quiet, peaceful life. He also wouldn’t mind having a nice yard to lounge in, and having the ball thrown for him occasionally would be great too! Smokey could live with another dog given a successful meet and greet, and although we have no history of him with cats, we’d recommend slow, careful introductions. If you’d like to meet Smokey, stop by our Brunswick campus to visit him during our open hours! And to learn more about the month-long adoption and donation drive, visit Clear the Shelters!

07/20/2022

The Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening for our Brunswick campus takes place this Saturday, and it’s going to be AMAZING! Rollin' Smoke BBQ Pit will serve up some delicious food, The Animal House will be onsite with some fantastic wares, and Radio Midcoast WCME will be broadcasting live! We’ll also have kids’ activities, kitten snuggles, a doggie kissing booth, tours of the facility and a raffle that features a $700 Intex Recreation Corp. inflatable hot tub as well as gift cards to Petco and L.L.Bean! We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a PURRFECT day!

07/03/2022

From July 1st to September 30th, Midcoast Humane is participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit the homeless animals in our care! Visit target.com/circle for more information and to cast your vote!

06/17/2022

Huge shout out to our favorite specialists, Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care! So glad they were able to find a system that worked for this handsome fellow!

06/01/2022

In an effort to help get animals adopted prior to moving to our new facility, we are having a ‘Movin’ On Up’ Adoption Extravaganza! From today, June 1st, to June 12th, all animals six months and older at our Brunswick campus will have adoption fees reduced by 50%.

If you are interested in adopting a new pet, please visit our website to view all of our available animals and learn how you can adopt them!

05/13/2022

What science can tell us about how other creatures experience the world

05/11/2022

Excellent opportunity to learn from one of the best!

Calling all dog parents! Join us for a workshop all about canine body language.

Our dogs are constantly communicating with us, but as humans, we miss a lot of what they are telling us.

During this workshop you’ll learn how to really tune in to what your dog is telling you, learn to interpret your dog’s interactions with other dogs, and start your journey to becoming fluent in the language of dog.

Learn more and register at https://arlgp.org/training-workshop-canine-body-language/

05/07/2022

Brothers

05/04/2022

What do you get when you cross , and Sage (AKA THE Best Girl!)? You get wagging tails, better mobility and a body recharged to keep trucking along looking for ALL the snacks.

04/27/2022

Who is the goodest boy? The age-old question…. It’s definitely Scottie. This dapper gentlemen always lights up the room and we love granting his requests for all the treats ❤️

04/25/2022

Another sweet pup for your enjoyment. We got to meet Molly today. She’s absolutely adorable and smart as a whip!

04/23/2022

It’s lovely to watch this little girl grow. Another awesome puppy visit with Kineo❤️

04/21/2022

Laser focus on the cheese! Bisbee and Jess are in the zone during acupuncture

04/14/2022

😺

Ability may be widespread in animal kingdom

04/12/2022