News & Events
As you may know, the Bangor Humane Society relies on donations from the public for over 60% of our funding each year. We receive no funding from local, state or federal sources and without your support we could not continue to provide quality care for the homeless and unwanted animals of our community.
Throughout the year we hold several different fundraising events, both ongoing and annual, in order to meet the needs of our animals. Continually, public support makes these events a success!
Past Events
It rained like cats and dogs all day for the 18th Annual Paws on Parade fundraising event, but that didn't deter the over 300 participants that still turned out with their dogs donned in raincoats and Halloween costumes to celebrate pets and raise awareness for homeless shelter animals in their community.
Perhaps it was in that prideful spirit of honoring pet companionship that the rained stopped briefly enough for hundreds of four-legged and two-legged walkers to parade through downtown Bangor for the 1.3 mile walk for paws. Or perhaps, it was the special pet blessing given by Reverend Ann Kidder from St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Brewer that allowed for the brief break in wet, soggy weather.
Despite the rain, the event was a huge success- the biggest Paws on Parade to date in both turnout and dollars raised with an amazing $58,000 collected to benefit the BHS shelter pets. The event was emceed by WABI’s Carolyn Callahan who kept the atmosphere of the day upbeat with lively music and helped things run smoothly with regular updates about the day’s schedule of events, vendor attendees, and accolades to our sponsors.
In addition to the walk, the day featured a canine agility demonstration led by Rebecca Henderson from Renaissance Dogs in Holden, pet contests and a raffle featuring an array of prizes donated by local businesses. Due to the weather, the scheduled shelter dog runway show featuring dogs available for adoption had to be cancelled. However, the shelter dogs in attendance were happy to mingle with the crowd, hoping to find a forever home with or without the spotlight. A cluster of small dog zombies were presented with the ‘Best Costume’ Award. Mutts of all sizes dressed in an array of outfits strutted their stuff– from Great Danes disguised as pumpkins to Chihuahua princesses. A three-legged, smiling pit-bull, a floppy-eared basset hound and many playful retrievers were among the BHS alumni that marched with pride.
The event concluded with highlights from the event’s success. Dr. Hanks from Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic and his team were honored as the top fundraising team, raising over $6,500 for the cause. Dr. Hanks was also recognized as the top individual fundraiser raising over $1,300. All of the money raised will go to support the over 5,000 animals that find refuge annually at the shelter, helping with increased veterinary costs that have come with a down economy.
The Bangor Humane Society extends its sincere gratitude to all the event sponsors, vendors, participants, and volunteers who made the day a huge success and helped make a difference in the lives of homeless pets.
Event photos can be viewed on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BangorHumane
Thank you Sponsors!
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October is Adopt-a-dog month:
What can an adopted dog bring to your life?
October 4, 2011 – The Bangor Humane Society desperately needs the local community to adopt a shelter dog. On October 4th, “Annie,” as she has been named by BHS staff, a small, three-legged terrier, arrived at the Humane Society tied to a handicapped parking sign in the shelter’s parking lot and abandoned by her owner.
In the last two months, over 87 stray dogs and 79 owner-surrendered (an average of almost 20 a week) have found shelter at the humane society, a definite indication of bad economic times. The facility’s dog kennels are full to capacity, while its waiting list for dogs to be surrendered by their owners nears 40 and continues to grow.
October is Adopt-a-dog month and the Humane Society is urging individuals to choose adoption. The Bangor Humane Society hopes to leverage National Adopt-a-dog month not only to facilitate the adoption of the many dogs in their care awaiting their forever homes, but to also educate the community and dispel the many myths about shelter pets.
Shelter animals often get a bad rap as abused, disobedient, unwanted and incapable of being trained. Most of the time, these judgments are untrue. It is true, however, that some of the dogs brought into shelters have trust issues and often are under socialized. These dogs require much more time and devotion to training. Anyone considering adopting a dog should research on the commitment, monetary and otherwise, that owning a dog requires. The staff at BHS is available to help each person find the right adoptive match for their family and lifestyle. There are plenty of dogs that don’t have behavioral issues and are given up for owner-related reasons.
Adoptive families are urgently needed so the Bangor Humane Society can place these dogs in forever homes. Therefore, they will be running adoption specials for the month of October:
Adopt a dog that has been at the shelter for 30 days or more, and pay only $30.
OR Adopt any dog and draw an envelope to reveal a surprise discount of 10%, 25% or 50% off the adoption fee!
Valid now through October 31st. All standard adoption policies still apply.
But what if you can't adopt? Here are some easy ways you can still help:
Donate your Facebook status. Just paste this message into the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your page: "October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. Save a life: Adopt a dog!
Tweet, retweet and repeat the following (or your own brilliant message): "October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month. Save a life: Adopt a dog!
Contact your local shelter or rescue group and ask if they have a donation wish list or other flyer they'd like to you to post around your office or neighborhood. They may be holding special events for Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month which you can help promote.
Share an adoptable dog or a Petfinder dog-adoption Happy Tail on your blog, Facebook or Twitter page each day of the month.
Sign up as a foster parent or shelter volunteer then tell your friends how great it is. Contact your local shelter or rescue group.
Add a Petfinder widget or banner to your Web site or blog.
Write an op-ed about the importance of pet adoption for your local paper.
Contact your local shelter or rescue group and offer to photograph their adoptable pets and upload the pics to your Facebook or blog.
Donate to your local shelter or rescue group in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month.
Pass on an understanding of the importance of pet adoption to the next generation. Talk to your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and other up-and-comers about animal shelters and why Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month, and pet adoption in general, is important.
