Motivated to Best Serve Their Animals & Communities
Midcoast Humane in Brunswick has had a terrific year. In July of 2022, they moved into a top-notch, state of the art facility to better serve their animals, staff, and community. That drive was recently recognized—they were named the 2023 Small Business of the Year by the Bath-Brunswick Regional Chamber on March 10.
Jess Townsend, Midcoast’s Executive Director, said they’re still “over the moon” with the accolade. It’s especially heartfelt for her—when she joined the team in 2021, she took over the new building project. (She was subsequently named the Interim Executive Director, then was awarded the top post in January of 2022.) While finishing the project and moving to the shelter was a whirlwind, she’s pleased.
“It was amazing to finally be able to do the good work we knew we could do when we no longer had to fight an uphill battle against an aging facility. The fact that our community sees our dedication and recognizes our transformation is so validating for all the staff and volunteers who worked, and continue to work, incredibly hard every day for our pets.”
She acknowledged that their previous dark and dilapidated facility depressed the staff and animals. The new light, bright shelter at 5 Industrial Parkway is a breath of fresh air. Once a call center, it was gutted and retrofitted to be wonderfully comfortable for all. The staffers appreciate the modern equipment and workflow systems, while the animals enjoy the spacious digs. It also affects the community positively, “Having people come in to adopt and smile on their way into the shelter instead of enduring the [previous] conditions is such a lovely change.”
There’s an on-site vet and surgical options for routine procedures—Jess said this is priceless. “Between our two campuses and foster care, we have 403 pets in our care at the moment. We simply would not be able to provide the level of care needed without a veterinarian.”
Regardless of the space, Midcoast needs foster homes, “The reality is that no matter how nice our shelter is and how hard our staff works, the shelter isn’t a home…our dogs are much happier waiting in foster care for their adoptive families.” Their staff does an excellent job of matching animals to foster families, whether apartment dwellers or homeowners with multiple animals. (She pointed out a demand for kitten fosters and noted that they’re easy house guests.)
They offer low-cost wellness and vaccine clinics for their communities as well as affordable spay/neuter clinics. “Providing low-cost and accessible veterinary care for our constituents is central to our mission, and we plan to build on this in the future,” said Jess.
In addition to welcoming volunteers, they’re searching for enthusiastic, animal-loving community leaders, philanthropists, development and grant professionals who can augment their cause as board members. See their site below for more details.
Support Midcoast Humane by shopping at Creature Comforts Thrift Shop at 153 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor. For info on fostering, their array of in-person and online training classes, pet clinics, and adoptable pets, visit midcoasthumane.org/.