HART of Maine

06/23/2024

Cheer up this rather soggy Sunday by meeting your new kitty companion!

We are open for adoptions from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm today, and our Adoption Team is looking forward to introducing you to our cats. Please go to our website for more information about adopting from HART as well as to view a listing of our available cats and access our online adoption application: www.hartofme.org/adoption-information. Remember to have an approved application before arriving at the shelter.

When you visit, be sure to stop by Room 2 and visit our sweet, 11-year-old gal, Debbie. Although she can be a bit shy in new situations, this calico cutie is friendly and playful, and she enjoys gentle attention from people—offer her pats and head scritches, and she will immediately purr with delight. If you are looking for a low-key cat to join your equally calm and quiet household, Debbie just may be the kitty for you! ❤️

06/20/2024

HART’s Annual Yard Sale, being held this year August 8-11, is fast approaching, and we need your help!

If you are interested in volunteering, we have an info meeting this Sunday, June 23 from 1:00 PM- 3:00 PM at the Gray Public Library 5 Hancock St Gray, ME 04039. There’s so much to do, not just during the sale, but leading up to it too! Come learn how you can get involved and be a part of HART’s signature fundraising event of the year. Can't make it? No worries. Reach out to Sarah Michniewicz at [email protected]. to let her know you want to help.

For additional details about this year’s Yard Sale, including donating info and our Sip & Shop preview event, visit https://hartofme.org/calendar-of-events/2024-yard-sale. We’ll begin accepting donations at the shelter Saturday, July 13.

06/16/2024

It's a beautiful Sunday, and we are excited for another fun day of adoptions!

We are open from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm today, and our Adoption Team is ready to introduce you to your new feline family member. Check out our website for more information about adopting from HART as well as to view a listing of our available cats and access our online adoption application: www.hartofme.org/adoption-information. Remember to have an approved application before arriving at the shelter.

Pictured here is our sweet gal, Jolene. Active and agile, this adorable, 11-year-old tortie often can be found perched up on high shelves. Jolene is a decidedly shy and skittish kitty by nature, but spend some time with her and you will see how loving and playful she can be! She is not a fan of most other cats, and since she currently shares a room with quite a few roommates, she may not reveal her silly, playful side to you right away. Offer her a dangle toy, though, and you’ll get an idea of her fun personality and acrobatic ability. She is looking for a calm, quiet home without children or dogs (She REALLY dislikes dogs!) and experienced, patient cat guardians who will help her confidently acclimate to her new home. Jolene will be a wonderful companion for her lucky adopter.❤️

06/15/2024

We’re halfway through Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and we invite you to spend this fine Caturday meeting your next feline best friend! Our Adoption Team is looking forward to introducing you to our awesome cats, so come on over—we’re open from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm today. To learn more more about adopting from HART, view a listing of our available cats, and access our online adoption application, please visit our website: www.hartofme.org/adoption-information.

Speaking of awesome cats, you should meet Ellie! This 5-year-old, patch tabby cutie came to HART from a rescue partner in Northern Maine. She has the softest fur and such pretty markings, and her lovely green eyes will captivate you. Ellie will get up to greet you and will reach out to you for love...just like in the picture. If you want a loving, friendly, sweetheart of a kitty, look no further—unless you want to adopt her along with one of her buddies, of course! 😻

06/14/2024

Sending out heartfelt thanks to our friends at for welcoming our sweet, super-senior guy, Taffy, into their hearts and home as a hospice foster. This special cat arrived at HART last month after being found as a stray in very poor condition in Falmouth. Our Medical Team and volunteers quickly fell in love with Taffy, and his condition has improved since receiving comprehensive care. In the words of his new foster family, who are equally as smitten with Taffy: “ He’s as old as dirt, has a list of medical issues, came with a bag of medications, is deaf, is blind, and is absolutely perfect 😻. We are going to spoil him rotten for however long he has left.”

The gift of specialized, ‘round the clock hospice care in a loving home will make all the difference for Taffy as he navigates this next part of his life journey, and we are so very grateful. ❤️

06/13/2024

Sending out heartfelt thanks to our friends at Rattletrap Ranch for welcoming our sweet, super-senior guy, Taffy, into their hearts and home as a hospice foster cat. You may remember that Taffy arrived at HART last month after being found as a stray in very poor condition in Falmouth. Our Medical Team and volunteers quickly fell in love with this special cat, and his condition has improved since receiving comprehensive care. The gift of specialized, ‘round the clock hospice care in a loving home will make all the difference for Taffy as he navigates this next part of his life journey, and we are so grateful. ❤️

06/12/2024

A big HART thank you to the West Falmouth branch of Gorham Savings Bank, who generously held a donation drive for HART in May. We are so grateful for the kindness that you and your customers showed our shelter. We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our community. Thank you! 😻

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by our West Falmouth branch to help support HART of Maine's Spring Donation Drive!! 🐱

06/08/2024

Awesome guy, Alvin, has been at HART for 410 days, and, as much as we love having him around, we know what he really longs for is to finally find his forever family and home. Our shelter will be open on Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Let’s make THIS the weekend Alvin meets his special someone! Please visit our website to learn more about adopting from HART and to access our online adoption application: www.hartofme.org/adoption-information.

A little more about Alvin: this charming, long-haired, brown tabby is 7.5 years old and came to HART in the Spring of 2023 when his guardians unfortunately could no longer provide care for him. Although he is selective about which other cats he is willing to hang out with, he is doing well living with his feline roommates at the shelter. With a slow and gradual introduction, we believe he could live in a home with other friendly cats and even a laid-back, cat-savvy dog.

Alvin has a history of bladder stones and previously had surgery to remove them. In order to maintain his urinary health, he requires a wet-only diet, and we strongly recommend that he eat prescription urinary health formula wet food. Since he can be nervous and reactive in stressful situations, our Medical Team has placed Alvin on medication to help him cope with the stress of living in a shelter environment. He would do best in a calm, low-key household without young children. His adoptive family will need to be committed to providing him with the necessary dietary care and regular veterinary check-ups to monitor his condition and ensure his health long-term. We will require that his adopter has an established relationship with a veterinarian. Our Adoption Team will review Alvin's specific needs with you prior to his adoption. Alvin may require a little extra care, but this loving boy is so worth it, and he will reward you with a lifetime of love and cuddles. Submit an application and come in to meet Alvin in Room 4. ❤

06/02/2024

*UDATE 6/3/24: Brownie’s owner has been found! Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out. Brownie (whose name is actually Eddie) and his human will be reunited soon!❤️*

*****FOUND CAT NOTICE: ATTENTION FALMOUTH RESIDENTS*****

This senior, male, brown tabby cat was brought to HART on 6/1/24 by a kind resident who was concerned for his safety. Cat was found on the Gray Road (Route 100) in Falmouth, wandering among houses in an area between Leighton Road and Winn Road for several days. He is neutered and we estimate he is about 12 years old. His right ear is “crumpled” (most likely from a previous injury/infection) and he is missing some teeth. We have scanned for a microchip, but unfortunately he is NOT microchipped. We are calling him Brownie.

If you are this cat’s owner or know who he is, please contact our Medical Manager, Bobbi-Jo Dobbs, via email at [email protected] or leave a voice message on her direct phone line: 207-489-9526. Proof of ownership in the form of vet records and photos is required in order to claim this cat.

Please help us reunite this big, handsome kitty with his family by sharing and reacting to our post. Thank you! ❤️

Maine Lost Cat Recovery

Friends of Feral Felines, Maine

06/01/2024

Looking for some CinnaFUN!? This coming Tuesday, June 4 from 10a-2p, the Cinnamon Girl food truck will be at the Back Cove - across from Hannaford in Portland selling their delicious sweet treats, with proceeds going the HART. That's right, Cinnamon Girl will donate a Buck-A-Bun with every purchase of their Classic Maine Cinnamon Buns, Sticky Pecan Buns and daily specials.

We are so thankful to organizations, like Cinnamon Girl, who find it in their hearts to support the work we do sheltering, caring for, and finding furever homes for our felines. ❤🐈🐾

Bunstoppable!!

We're BACKKKK on Tuesday for $1-A-Bun for Hart of Maine :):) Adoption Center for Kittens & Cats 😍https://hartofme.org/our-cats:) PLEASE come out and support 10a-to 20pm on Back Cove - across from Hannaford :)

05/24/2024

We thought we'd use this post as a final push to reach our $5,000 matching gift goal, which would mean receiving an additional $5,000 from our very generous donor. But happily, we get to say thank you instead!

You've blown us away with your kindness. You helped raise $5,000 in just two days! Add that to the $5,000 matching gift, and that's $10,000 for HART in 48 hours.

The unwavering support and generosity of our HART community deeply moves us. Your contribution to our fundraisers, participation at our events, sharing of social posts about lost kitties, dedication to volunteerism, and love and adoption of our cats make a world of difference. We can't thank you enough.

However, we are still about $1,000 away from our $50,000 month-end goal, so our generous donor has agreed to continue to match donations through 8PM tonight! If you are in a position to help, please consider donating via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU. Or mail us your donation, making checks payable to HART of Maine (write "2024 Spring Fundraiser - Matching Gift" in the check memo), and send them to HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.

From all of us at HART, our deepest thanks.

05/23/2024

*****ATTENTION FALMOUTH RESIDENTS*****

This elderly, male tabby with white cat was brought to HART today by an officer with the Falmouth Police Department. Cat was found in the Burton Ace/Mountain Road area of Falmouth, and he is neutered, front declawed, and very friendly. He is stable but dehydrated and in poor condition, and we estimate he is between 12 and 16 years old. Our Medical Team is providing care and close monitoring. He has been scanned for a microchip, but unfortunately he is NOT microchipped. We have named him Taffy, and we will try to update this post with better photos once he is more settled.

If you are this cat’s owner or know who he is, please contact our Medical Manager, Bobbi-Jo Dobbs, via email at [email protected] or leave a voice message on her direct phone line: 207-489-9526. Proof of ownership in the form of vet records and photos is required in order to claim this cat.

Please help us reunite this super-sweet kitty with his family by sharing and reacting to our post. Thank you for your support! ❤️

Maine Lost Cat Recovery

Friends of Feral Felines, Maine

05/23/2024

The outpouring of generosity and enthusiasm in response to our Matching Gift Challenge has blown us away. Thank you to everyone who donated yesterday! As of this morning, our community contributed just over $3,400 to HART. With the matching gift, we have raised just over $6,800 within the past 24 hours and are only $4,200 away from our $50,000 Spring Fundraiser goal. But time is running out, and we need your help to take full advantage of this matching gift by the end of the week.

If you contribute now through 8 p.m. on Friday, our donor will match your donation to HART dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. Your contribution could make a significant difference in the life of a cat like Kiwi, whose story we bring you below, to demonstrate how your support contributes to our vital work.

Kiwi is a medium-haired, brown patch tabby with soulful eyes. She is approximately ten years old and came to HART from our rescue partner, Friends of Feral Felines, in Portland, Maine. This little lady is an adorable, purring puffball who loves to be petted and brushed.

Kiwi arrived with some pre-existing health conditions, including skin allergies and a history of ear and urinary tract infections. Happily, we have been successful in treating most of her ailments and getting her off almost all of her medications. However, she will need to continue on a special duck diet to keep her allergies in check.

Since Kiwi has been with HART for over a year and has had many medical treatments, we estimate her care has cost us nearly $3,100. But the good news is that Kiwi is ready to find her forever home with an adopter who has an established relationship with a trusted veterinarian who can monitor her health conditions.

Let your contribution go even further this week in making a difference in the lives of cats like Kiwi by donating via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU. You can also mail us your donation - make sure it’s postmarked by Friday, make checks payable to HART of Maine (write "2024 Spring Fundraiser - Matching Gift" in the check memo), and send them to HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.

If you want to bring this adorable lady into your home, please visit our website for more information about adopting from HART and to access our online adoption application: hartofme.org/adoption-information.

Thank you!

05/22/2024

**BIG NEWS! Matching Gift Challenge Announced!**

A very generous anonymous donor has come forward with a $5,000 matching gift to help HART reach our $50,000 Spring Fundraiser Campaign goal. Through the kindness of our community, we've raised close to $40,000 thus far, and we hope this matching gift will inspire others to donate this week and help us meet our goal.

But we have a limited time to take advantage of this generous offer. If you contribute now through 8 p.m. on Friday, May 24, 2024, our kind donor will match your donation to HART dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. For example, your $50 contribution will be matched with an additional $50, totaling $100 for HART.

Let your contribution go even further this week in making a difference in the lives of our cats by donating via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU. You can also mail us your donation. Just make sure it's postmarked by Friday, and make checks payable to HART of Maine (write "2024 Spring Fundraiser - Matching Gift" in the check memo), and send them to HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.

Thank you!

05/14/2024

Thank you to our friends at Gorham Savings Bank in West Falmouth who are running a donation drive throughout the month of May for much-needed items for the shelter. You can drop off cat food, treats, toys, and even gift cards at the branch at 65 Gray Road in Falmouth. See their website for operating hours. https://www.gorhamsavings.bank/locations-and-hours/falmouth-gray-road/

❤🐈

GSB's West Falmouth branch is collecting items through the month of May to support HART of Maine's Spring Donation Drive and the fur friends they help build better lives for! Drop offs can be made at our West Falmouth branch lobby during operating hours. 🐱

05/11/2024

Things are heating up here at HART’s Spring Bake and Craft Sale in Falmouth. Come on down for a great selection of volunteer-donated baked goods and crafts, George-approved catnip toys, and excellent HART merch. We’re here until 3pm!

05/10/2024

Did you know all cats and kittens adopted from HART have a seven-day health guarantee? Although we do everything possible to ensure our felines are healthy at the time of adoption, sometimes there are underlying issues that HART is unaware of, which may arise later. To help illustrate just how important our community's support is to our ability to fulfill on this guarantee, we bring you Talos’s "Happy Tail".

Talos was brought to HART by our rescue partner, Friends of Feral Felines, in Portland in early January. Upon intake, we discovered that he had an eye deformity called eyelid agenesis, which is not considered severe, and he was quickly adopted within the month.

However, shortly after adoption, Talos became very ill with diarrhea and weight loss. Extremely concerned and understanding our health guarantee, his adopter returned him to us to see if we could help. Upon exam, we immediately hospitalized him at Gray-New Gloucester Animal Hospital. Once stable, he came back to our shelter to continue treatment and recovery before returning to his adoptive home. Unfortunately, plans changed when he was suddenly stricken with blindness and started having seizures. We promptly took him to Portland Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Care, where he was hospitalized. Although extensive testing did not reveal the underlying cause for his blindness and seizures, we were not willing to give up on this little guy. We started more medications to treat his ailments. Our Medical Manager even took him everywhere with her for a week to treat and monitor him.

We are delighted to report that Talos's eyesight returned. After a few weeks of antibiotics, Talos was reunited with his adopter, Abbie, who reports that he's doing great and is an absolute joy. He runs around all day and night and has taken over the living room with his tunnels, cardboard boxes, and toys.

In the short time Talos was back in our care, we estimate HART spent nearly $4,100 on his medical treatments and tests. Please consider donating to our Spring Fundraiser so we can continue to provide cats like Talos the care they need. We've been so grateful to everyone who's donated over the past month - and happy to report we've raised close to $20,000 towards our $50,000 goal! If you are in a position to help, please consider donating via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU. Or mail us your donation, making checks payable to HART of Maine (write "2024 Spring Fundraiser" in the check memo), and send them to HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.

Thank you!

05/04/2024

Pet Supplies Plus - North Windham, ME will be celebrating their spicy furry friends with a Cinco Day Meow event on Sunday from 1-4pm. They will have great deals, giveaways and awesome games! Not only that, they are collecting donations on HART's behalf! Thanks PSP-North Windham for your support. We'll see you tomorrow!🐈❤

05/02/2024

We're getting there! Thanks to everyone who has donated to our Spring Fundraiser. Together, you've helped us raise close to $9,000 towards our $50,000 goal!

To help illustrate just how important our community's support is to our work, we would like to introduce you to Charlie, a gentle soul in need of special care.

Charlie is a sturdy, orange tabby boy with a bit of white on his muzzle and chin. At 13 years old, he is a distinguished older gentleman and such a cool cat—calm, sweet, and laid back. Charlie enjoys getting visitors' attention but also has his moments of independence. When happy, he can purr so that his whole body vibrates!

Charlie was surrendered to HART in December 2022 because of inconsistent litter box use and other health issues his owner could not afford to treat. Charlie has severe arthritis, and you'll notice he walks with bowed elbows. He takes meds to help with the discomfort, and it does not prevent him from getting around or climbing to the tops of cat trees and perches. Charlie also has renal disease, meaning his kidneys are not working the way that they should. We have been maintaining his kidneys with various treatments, including fluids under the skin daily. Still, none of the treatments bother him much.

Charlie has been with HART for over a year, and with his many treatments, blood work, and exams, we estimate his medical care has cost over $6,300. But happily, due to the continuous generosity of our kind donors, we can provide Charlie with the care he needs.

Please consider donating to our Spring Fundraiser via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU to help us continue to give cats like Charlie the care needed to get them ready for adoption. You are also welcome to mail us your donation. Please make checks payable to HART of Maine (write "2024 Spring Fundraiser" in the check memo) and send them to: HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.

And, if you are interested in bringing this gentle soul into your home, please visit our website for more information about adopting from HART and access our online adoption application: hartofme.org/adoption-information. Charlie’s adopter will need an established relationship with a veterinarian, since his renal disease will require close monitoring and frequent blood work. Making simple accommodations for him in the home, like providing easy access to multiple litter boxes and a special kidney health diet, will benefit him.

Thank you from all of us at HART!

04/28/2024

Skillins' greenhouse cat, George, cordially invites you to a perennial favorite: HART’s Spring Bake & Craft Sale at Skillins Greenhouses Falmouth. Please join us Saturday May 11 from 9am-3pm at Skillins Greenhouses in Falmouth, where our volunteer Bake and Craft Sale team will be selling delicious goodies, handmade crafts, and pawsome HART merch, with all proceeds going directly to providing essential care for the hundreds of cats we take in and find forever homes for every year.

For more info, visit our event page or our website: https://hartofme.org/calendar-of-events/craft-bake-sale-05112024

04/27/2024

*ADOPTION HOURS UPDATE FOR SATURDAY 4/27/24 & SUNDAY 4/28/24*

Please note that we will be open for adoptions this weekend by appointment only. Check out our website to learn about our adoption process, view a listing of our available cats, and access our online adoption application: www.hartofme.org/adoption-information.

You know who you should make an appointment to meet? Chester. This adorable, 5-year-old, FIV-positive, tabby cat is just the sweetest guy!Somewhat shy by nature, he has really blossomed here at HART, and he will come to you when you call his name, flop over, and take in all the pets and love you can give him. He will do best in a calm home with experienced cat guardians who will help him feel comfortable and confident as he acclimates to his new home. We’re pretty sure you’re gonna love him as much as we do! Meet Chester in Room 3.

04/26/2024

We can't let National Volunteer Appreciation Week go by without acknowledging the amazing people who make our mission possible!

At HART of Maine, there are over 100 committed volunteers, who alongside our small staff, work hard every single day to keep our cats happy, safe, and healthy. We are able to do the work that we do because of the dedication, compassion, skill, energy, and love our volunteers give to our cats and each other every day. Kitten & medical foster caregivers, medical technicians, fundraiser & event organizers, errand-runners, cat transporters, shelter cleaners, feeders, socialization team members, adoption team members, Board members...all of these roles are fulfilled by volunteers who generously share their time and talents with HART. Please join us in celebrating and appreciating the many people who enable HART to help hundreds of cats in need every year. Thank you, volunteers! ❤️

www.hartofme.org/volunteer

04/18/2024

Thanks to everyone who has donated to our Spring Fundraiser! Together, you’ve helped us raise close to $1,500 towards our $50,000 goal. To help illustrate just how important our community's support is to our work, we bring you the Happy Tail of Endora.

Last year, we shared with you the story of Endora, a beautiful, 12-year-old girl who transferred to us from Friends of Feral Felines in Portland in November 2022. Endora had an old but significant injury to her left rear leg, and we believe that a car may have struck her at some point in her life. Due to the extent of the damage, her leg required surgical amputation, for which she underwent surgery in December of 2022 and recovered very well.

Newly a “tripod,” Endora readily became accustomed to balancing and walking with three legs. She also received lots of one-on-one time with our Shy Angels Socialization Team, who were able to help this once shy and somewhat apprehensive cat blossom into a more social, happy gal who actively sought out attention and pets from people and interacted with the other cats in her room.

Just this past February, Endora (now named Endora Helen, after her adopter’s grandmother) found a new home with Shelly, who has adopted several other senior cats over the years. Shelly tells us that Endora Helen, her first female tabby, has adjusted very well to her new home, happily playing in different rooms. She’s still a bit of a “Shy Angel,” but Shelly has been patiently working on this with her. She sits on the floor beside her, waiting for Endora Helen to come over to be petted. Shelly says, “Each day, she gets closer to me, and I look forward to the day she sits on my lap! That day is coming soon.”

Please consider donating to our Spring Fundraiser via the donation button on this post or our dedicated PayPal link: https://bit.ly/3U1l2jU to help us continue to give cats, like Endora, the care needed to get them ready for adoption. You are also welcome to mail us your donation. Please make checks payable to HART of Maine (write “2024 Spring Fundraiser” in the check memo) and send them to: HART of Maine PO Box 351 Cumberland, ME 04021.
From all of us at HART, thank you!

04/15/2024

Sure, we’ll go on T.V. for the cats!

Our sincere thanks to Doug and Bill of Furniture Superstore for generously inviting HART to join them in their new commercial! Furniture Superstore has a proud history of advocating for local animal rescue organizations, and we are so very honored to receive their support. Keep an eye out for their fun spots highlighting different organizations, including HART of Maine, on your favorite cable television channels over the next several months, and be sure to support this fine business that gives back to their community. 😺

04/08/2024

*BATH TOWELS, SHEETS, AND LIGHTWEIGHT FLEECE BLANKETS NEEDED!*

Our supply of bath towels and lightweight bedding is running low, and we need your help to replenish our stock. If you have gently used or new bath/beach towels, sheets, flannel baby blankets, and fleece fabric remnants that you would like to donate, we will gladly take them! You may drop them off at the shelter during daytime hours and leave them in our front entryway. Please note that we only need the above listed items and CANNOT accept large blankets/comforters, pillows, or large pet beds. Thank you for your understanding, and for your support!
www.hartofme.org