Holiday Wishes
Dec 2007

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Support Animals as a Holiday Tradition

Confronted with daunting odds, dog rescue groups and shelters perform miracles every day, year round. Advocates, many of them volunteers, work tirelessly for the well-being of deserving animals that ask so little of us—and give so much in return.

To many of us, the holidays have become a time of hustle and hassle. Swept up in a whirl of shopping, spending, preparations and social obligations, we risk losing sight of the true meaning of the season. Regardless of your religious or cultural orientation, most would agree that winter’s darkest days are meant to be illuminated by the spirit of human kindness and generosity. Throughout civilization, the holidays are traditionally a time of hope and miracles.

In the spirit of the season, Downeast Dog News recently reached out to Maine shelters and rescue groups, inviting them to make known not only their everyday needs, but also their wildest dreams. The heartfelt responses that we received give all of us an appreciative glimpse into their ongoing challenges—and something more.

In this issue, you will learn what you can contribute to help—in ways large and small, obvious and unexpected. Choose one or more, follow through, spread the word—and you’re guaranteed to feel more attuned to the holiday spirit.

We asked our respondents to name their pie in the sky wishes (“Ask the universe for what you need,” the saying goes, and they’ve done just that with requests for vehicles, kennel facilities, a generator, a laptop, a computer, a digital camera…)

Some of these wishes come with big price tags attached—although perhaps there is some reader out there with connections or circumstances that may make it possible. Since many shelters and rescues are nonprofits, a gift may even represent a charitable deduction for the donor, just in time for your 2007 tax year.

In the other hand, so many small and medium—and heart-achingly modest—wishes have also been voiced, that every reader can find some way to participate and make a meaningful difference. Requests were received for dog toys and leashes, paper towels, even postage stamps. Also, items that cost nothing out of pocket, such as brown paper grocery bags and used but still serviceable towels, blankets and pillow cases.

Selecting a wish to fulfill would make an excellent holiday project for a family, a school class or Scout troop. A cooperative effort to enrich the lives of animals is a win-win opportunity for everyone.

Dog food and supplies, household cleaners and paper products—why not take the list with you when you run your holiday errands and pick up an extra item or two to donate? Even if you have limited resources, perhaps you can take advantage of the next “buy one, get one free” offer at your supermarket and share the windfall.

A book club or a church group could launch a cooperative effort. Employees of a company or department could pool resources and take on one of the more challenging requests. Do you work for an automobile dealership, equipment manufacturer, medical facility or other business that might make a corporate donation? What about matching gifts? Remember, since many shelters and rescues are nonprofit organizations, the value of a gift may be tax deductible; your tax advisor can provide specific guidance.

Keep in mind that the wish lists here are only a representative sampling. Feel free to let them inspire you to check in with your own local shelter or another rescue not included here. Unless you are making a financial contribution, it’s always a good idea to check in first. While the need for assistance is urgent and universal, the specific requests vary from one entity to another.

A comprehensive listing of Maine rescues and shelters may be found online at www.downeastdognews.com/adopt/. To include an organization not found in this directory, send an email with the appropriate contact information to info@downeastdognews.com.

Help spread the word—take this article to work or school, or send it by email. And please drop us a line to let us know how you responded. You may find that you have launched a new annual tradition. If it’s too much to add to your to-do list this holiday, remember that the need is ongoing, and action may be taken at anytime. You may be moved to help on a regular weekly or monthly basis—how about on your dog’s birthday, or to honor the memory of a beloved pet.

Doing good works for others adds meaning to our day-to-day existence; making even small gestures boosts our own spirit in a way that is hard to imagine. This holiday or any day, the more ways you choose to show your compassion and generosity, the more you will be rewarded.

Nancy McGinnis, a freelance writer and photographer, has never known life without at least one wagging tail in the family. She and her husband, Kevin, share their Hallowell home with Zap and his buddy Moxie, the kitten whose mother survived the Slates restaurant fire. [Read Nancy's story about writing this article.]

The Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League’s “Everything” Wish-List

The staff and board of directors of the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League (CRARL) deeply appreciate contributions of all sizes and all kinds, whether the gifts are of funds, supplies, time or expertise. The following suggestions for donations demonstrate that all animal lovers may contribute meaningfully to our shelter in any number of ways. Thank you to all our supporters, and thank you to Downeast Dog News for this opportunity.

Basic Necessities: GermX anti-bacterial hand gel, soft soap, paper towels, paper plates, paper grocery bags, high efficiency laundry detergent, Odo-Ban, non-clumping unscented litter, canned dog food, dog treats, dog toys, wet and dry cat food, cat treats, towels, blankets, cat toys, cat beds, scratching posts, cat furniture and wet and dry kitten food depending on the time of year.

“Sugar Daddy” Sponsorships: Operating expenses might sound dull, but full or partial help with monthly bills would give everyone at CRARL a big thrill. Some examples are any utility bill, including electricity and phone; medicine, vet services, food and staff salaries.

Hands-On Help: A handyman tops the list right now. We are seeking ideas and services both for a permanent solution to our need for winterizing the dog kennels and for a reconfiguration for the adolescent cat room so those residents can have safe access to the screened porch. A groundskeeper would be a treat also. Of course, dog-walkers, visitors for the kitties, cat room cleaners and outreach event staffers are always welcome.

Grand Desires: A vehicle to transport animals to and from vet appointments; donations of funds, supplies and services to refurbish the dog kennels.

Boxer Buddies Rescue, Inc.

Boxer Buddies Rescue, Inc. (BBRI) is a nonprofit boxer dog rescue organization, dedicated to rescuing boxers in need. We provide foster homes, rescue education, adoption information and more to boxers, boxer lovers and to those who can no longer care for their dogs. Our wish list is as follows.

Donations towards medical costs—We have a few dedicated vet clinics that work with the rescue and foster dogs in our program, Acorn Animal Hospital in Franklin, Massachusetts, Diamond Hill in Rhode Island and Kennebunk Veterinary Hospital in Maine. Donations toward the medical care of our rescue dogs would help tremendously.

Foster home volunteers—We are badly in need of foster homes for our rescues. We can only take in as many dogs as we have foster homes; we never kennel our rescue dogs.

Donation of 5,000 T-shirts with the BBRI logo—BBRI would sell the T-shirts to raise funds needed for the dogs in our program.

Pet supply store gift certificates—Many of our foster homes graciously provide food and supplies to care for their foster dogs. But, sometimes dogs need crates or a simple item to get started.

A donation of mass mailings with collection envelopes and a flier would be helpful.

A television spot that could highlight a different dog each week.

Gas cards—All our volunteers dedicate their time and gas to transport the dogs to their foster homes, vet visits, training classes and more.

Donations toward professional training—BBRI works to identify and provide solutions for behavioral issues during the foster home period.

Dogs Deserve Better—Maine

Our pie in the sky wish is a mini van for transport to replace the one we had that failed to pass inspection because of severe rust issues and is not repairable. This is a critical need for our rescue. (See related story on page 4.)

Other smaller wish-list items include the following.

• Contributions toward vet bills—Many of the dogs we rescue have special medical needs. We pay for spay/neuter, heartworm testing and vaccinations for all dogs coming through our rescue. Often, medical issues arise that require significant funds to treat. If you would like to donate toward medical expenses for these pups, please call Amy at the Brackett Street Veterinary Clinic at 772-3385. Be sure to mention Dogs Deserve Better.


• Cleaning supplies—Boy, do we go through the paper towels and bleach. All natural (chemical-free) cleaning products are also needed.


• Food—We believe in feeding high-quality, all-natural food to our rescued pups to help build their immune systems and to keep them healthy while they wait for their forever homes. We would love donations of food, including the following brands Wysong, Wellness, Innova, Solid Gold, Nature’s Balance, California Natural and Royal Canin.


• Gift cards—Cards for Wal-Mart or pet supply stores such as Planet Dog, PetCo and Pet Quarters would be helpful.


• Leashes—Canvas/braided leashes to walk dogs. No retractable leashes.


• Plastic Storage Containers—We could really use some large (20-30 gallon) storage bins with lids to store food. This keeps the food fresh and nutritious for longer periods of time.


• Treats—Our dogs love Greenies, all natural dog biscuits and rawhide chew toys, and peanut butter or cream cheese to fill Kong toys.

Golden Retriever Rescue Lifeline, Inc.

We are a golden retriever rescue that covers all of New England, but we have a sister rescue in the heart of the deep south in Louisiana. This rescue deals with the horrors of over population every day of every week of every year. There are thousands of dogs and pups euthanized using gas every year—more than three-quarters of a million last year alone. In partnership with the southern rescue, we make an effort to help all the dogs and pups we can. We adopt out between 500 and 800 each year.

We are in desperate need of a laptop computer. I have not been away from home for more than three days at a time in the last six years. I am afraid that if I go away for a much-needed break I will miss that one call or email that might save the life of a dog or a pup. The gift of a laptop would be a dream come true for our rescue. Thank you for letting us add our wish to your list.

—Melanie Crane, co-president if Golden Retriever Rescue Lifeline, Inc.

Maine Greyhound Placement Service

Our pie in the sky wish at Maine Greyhound Placement Service (MGPS) is for equipment to help in the management of orthopedic injuries of greyhounds injured on the racetrack. We accept injured retired racers, often with leg fractures. We access and manage their injuries and are responsible for their rehabilitation.

After much fund-raising, our clinic is under construction. Eventually, the clinic will be used as an emergency after hours clinic for all animals. Meanwhile, we need orthopedic surgical equipment, such as external fixture surgical devices, and rehabilitation equipment, such as an underwater treadmill, to treat and prevent further injury. Any type of surgical equipment, especially orthopedic, will be appreciated.

Our shoot for the moon wish is a hauler truck to replace the 10-year-old vehicle we have. We could use a newer, used half-ton pick up or a three-quarter-ton chassis cab pickup.

We always need donations of cash to help with dog food, to heat the kennel and to advertise.

Thank you for including MGPS in the wish list.

—Carol Jones

North East Rottweiler Rescue and Referral (NERR)

Our greatest need at North East Rottweiler Rescue and Referral (NERR) is foster homes. Every dog we take in lives in a foster home until it finds its forever home. Foster homes are the heart and soul of animal rescue. By providing a temporary safe haven for a dog you are giving that dog the gift of life. We have very few foster homes in Maine.

Fostering a dog is not a financial burden—the rescue supplies food and pays for veterinary care. You provide structure and TLC, and you help to decide what forever home is right for your foster dog. We can save only as many dogs as we have foster homes for, so every new foster home means one less dog sleeping on a hard cement shelter floor; one less dog euthanized because of lack of space.

Foster homes truly save lives. Fostering a dog is a very rewarding experience. And if rottweilers aren’t your preference, know that every breed rescue and most shelters (cats, too!) also need foster homes. Please contact us, or the rescue of your choice, for more detailed information on the foster program.

Animal Refuge League

Canon PowerShot® A570IS Digital Camera—We are requesting this specific model because it is compatible with our software. We will use it for clear, crisp website photos of adoptable animals.

• Andis Super AGR+ cordless clippers
• Durable and bleachable metal patio furniture
• Pillow cases for emergency evacuation of cats and small animals
• Surgical scrubs for staff (gently worn welcome)
• Medium-sized carabineers to tether dogs in the event of an emergency
• Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR)
• Safe Paws ice melt
• Baking soda
• Unscented laundry detergent
• Dishwashing detergent
• Paper towels
• Bleach
• Clorox and Windex wipes
• Brooms (bleachable)
• Metal dustpans

Beagles of New England (BONES) Beagle Rescue

Dear Santa,

The following is a list of simple items that would help Beagles of New England (BONES) Beagle Rescue greatly.

• Postage stamps
• Crates (medium and large sizes)
• New dog toys
• Heart Guard
• Frontline
• Phone cards
• Gas cards
• Six-foot nylon leashes
• Gift certificate to online medical/vets (Dr. Foster, Pet Meds)
• Office supplies or gift certificates for Staples or Office Depot

Our big dream wish is for an enclosed 5-by-10-foot trailer to use in animal rescue and educational events.

Almost Home Rescue

Our pie in the sky wish at Almost Home Rescue is for the following:

• A minivan with low mileage, working air conditioning and removable seats for regional dog transporting.


• A heated indoor/outdoor kennel with capacity for up to 10 dogs.

Other items that would help include:

• One large humane animal trap that would fit a 70-pound dog in case we have a dog escape from an adoptive or foster home.
• Foster homes—Lots and lots of foster homes. Short term, long term, for puppies or adults—whatever you prefer.

English Springer Spaniel Club of Long Island—Rescue

Our club has operated on donations for nearly 19 years. We cover Maine to Pennsylvania. We place approximately 100 purebred English Springer Spaniels a year in new adoptive homes. We interview upwards of 200 individuals and couples during the year and have a volunteer staff of about 10.

What are our wildest dreams? A facility where we could foster every springer who needs it—along with the money to staff it; a van that would accommodate a number of crates and wouldn’t be a maintenance nightmare; and gas money to reimburse the volunteers who use their own vehicles for transport. How’s that for big dreams?

—Nanci L. LaMarque

Chesapeake Safe Harbor

Donations of all kinds and amounts are most helpful and welcome, especially with the oil prices so high. Our kennel oil bill will exceed $6,000 this winter. We are so proud to have all the inside runs with radiant heat for the comfort of all.

Our pie in the sky wish would be a generator that would automatically kick in during power outages—and we expect this would run $6,000. We are in a rural area and cannot draw water without electricity. The kennel and dogs depend on a huge amount of water each day.

Chesapeake Safe Harbor is always in need of good forever homes for our orphaned Chesapeake Bay retrievers. Special needs Chessies we would dearly love to find homes would be Trident, our blind boy and Zeke, our deaf boy (see page 10). Both dogs are big fellows, but Trident is well trained and Zeke responds very well to hand signals. Each would need a fenced area and to be walked on leash when outside that area. Come visit and make their acquaintance. Visitors are always welcome.

The 'Buxton 300'

“Our holiday wish? I’d like to request donations in any amount to offset the medical costs of the ‘Buxton 300’,” says Norma Worley, director of Maine’s Animal Welfare Program. Since the shutdown of J’aime Kennels in Buxton last August, Worley’s office has overseen the work of the Animal Refuge League (ARL) and Animal Welfare Society (AWS), under the medical direction of state veterinarian Christine Fraser, to care for the 247 dogs rescued from squalor and neglect. “Some people erroneously believe that my office profits when animals are seized,” Worley said. “Or they might wonder why they should make a financial donation to a state funded agency.

“But,” Worley said, “we pay all animal-welfare related expenses ourselves, typically spending $50,000 to $60,000 of the Maine Animal Welfare Program’s almost $900,000 operating budget each year on the care and treatment of seized animals.”

Already this year, the Buxton case has consumed $300,000—and the final figure is expected to be much higher. Worley is quick to point out that there are a lot of good, honest breeders in Maine who bend over backward to obey regulations. In fact, AWS is not a state general fund supported agency, but instead receives some 85 percent of its annual budget through license fees paid by law abiding dog owners.

“This is the worst case I’ve ever seen,” says Worley, who spent 21 years running the animal welfare program in California before coming to Maine nearly five years ago. Operating as seven different business entities through as many websites, J’aime Kennels represents Maine’s biggest animal welfare nightmare both in number of animals and projected cost to take care of them.

Expecting to find as many as 125 animals, authorities confiscated almost twice that number—including some pregnant females. Some have had their pups; others have not yet delivered as this goes to press. All told, the number of former J’aime Kennel dogs under AWS’ care will exceed 300. What’s worse, Worley estimates some 85 to 90 percent of them suffer some affliction or disease, ranging from horrific dental problems stemming from malnutrition, to genetic blindness passed on from one generation to the next. Nearly all of the dogs exhibit emotional and behavioral issues, having never been inside a home or had much opportunity for socialization.

As of mid-November, when the court awarded permanent possession of the dogs to the AWP, state and local animal care workers have begun the arduous task of spaying and neutering, microchipping and assessing each dog’s readiness for adoption. Some of the Buxton dogs, who range from a few days to 8 years in age, are cared for in area shelters, but about half of them continue to occupy space rented from Happy Tails dog daycare in Portland.

Much of the necessary set-up and retrofitting was accomplished by Maine Correction Center’s work program participants as a community service; but renting the temporary space costs a hefty $4,000 each month. While this was the best solution available, the limited laundry facilities and lack of floor drains add to the expense and labor intensity. In a well-organized disaster relief effort, against a constant backdrop of barking, work teams make their way with quiet efficiency through aisles of row after row of stainless steel kennels to attend to their assignments of feeding, cleanup, and other tasks.

As many as 15 or 20 volunteers assist every day, estimates shelter manager Bobbi Allen. “On really bad days, we make do with as few as seven.”

Even with volunteer help, staffing contributed by area shelters and donations of food and other supplies, the costs are astronomical. Expenses include across the board procedures, such as spaying or neutering and microchipping. Dogs are treated as necessary for sarcoptic mange, ringworm, giardia and other individual medical concerns.

This is what prompts Norma Worley to voice her holiday wish. “Our budget year stretches to June 30. I just hope and pray that the huge expenses associated with the Buxton 300 won’t become a determining factor in whether we are able to intervene appropriately in a future animal welfare case.”

Donations of any size are sincerely appreciated. Checks made out to “Treasurer, State of Maine” with a note indicating “Animal Welfare” in the memo line may be mailed to Maine Animal Welfare Program, 28 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0028.