Maine Humane

05/30/2026

Training Reminder: Learn how to help big dogs at the upcoming Summit this coming Monday and Tuesday. Attendees are welcome to just attend one day as well.

The Summit is being held at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk. The training is free and lunch is provided. Registration is required. Learn more here! https://mainehumane.org/events/big-dog-summit-west-kennebunk/

Two Day Big Dog Lifesaving Summit held at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk Registration is free and lunch in provided. Summit presented by Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Farm Foundation Register and more info here: https://airtable.com/appxEj2BSKKj7qFsB/shrexDb7Ssyfrclra

05/29/2026

Check out this pawsome new resource for cats and their families! We all know cats can be quirky, and often challenging to understand. This new free helpline is a great resource for shelters and rescues to be able to refer cat owners who are struggling with a challenging behavior!

Who are you going to call? 📲 Well, the National Cat Behavior Helpline, of course! In our latest Q&A, learn how this free counseling service helps adopters, foster volunteers and others resolve cat behavior issues, keeping cats in homes and saving your team valuable time. 🐾 Pounce over to learn more at: https://bit.ly/4xdlLQX

05/28/2026

Upcoming Training Opportunity:

Registration is Open for the 2026 New England Animal Control Humane Academy!
July 20–24 at the University of New Hampshire in Durham for a week of hands-on training, professional development, certifications, and networking with animal welfare and public safety professionals from across New England.

This year’s academy features an incredible lineup of instructors and courses designed for animal control officers, humane investigators, law enforcement, shelter staff, and anyone dedicated to animal welfare and public safety.
Special Opportunity:
Mark Kumpf with Animal Control and Care Academy will be offering two certification courses at deeply discounted pricing to help make high-quality training more accessible than ever.
🎓 Scholarship opportunities are also available, including:
• The Dale Childs Memorial Scholarship
• The Wendell Strout Memorial Scholarship- for a Maine professional

Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned professional, this academy offers valuable education, practical skills, and connections you can bring back to your community.
📍 University of New Hampshire Durham
📅 July 20–24, 2026
➡️ View the full schedule and register today at: https://www.acoanh.com/neacha2026

05/26/2026

Now is the time to speak up for horses!

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure just passed a transportation bill that includes a critical provision to BAN the transportation of horses for slaughter for human consumption!

This amendment is based off of the SAFE Act (read more at the link), which has been tried in several past legislative sessions. Together we can ensure this important bill finally passes! More than 80% of Americans oppose this practice and the inclusion of this language in the BUILD America 250 Act brings us one step closer to permanently banning the transportation of horses for slaughter in the U.S.

Contact your member in the House of Representatives and tell them you support this amendment to protect horses.
1st District Rep. Chellie Pingree- (202) 225-6116
2nd District Rep. Jared Golden- (202) 225-6306

https://buchanan.house.gov/2026/04/10/buchanan-leads-multi-front-effort-to-advance-safe-act-end-horse-slaughter/

“Protecting America’s Horses from Slaughter Is a Commonsense, Bipartisan Priority That Reflects Our Values as a Nation.”

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember and thank all who have served.

05/22/2026

Do you work or volunteer with adoptable dogs? Want to learn more about play groups and how to boost adoption strategies for our canine friends?

Then get signed up for a free Big Dog Lifesaving Summit being held at the Animal Welfare Society in West Kennebunk on June 1st and 2nd! This training is being presented by Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Farm Foundation .

Click here to register! https://airtable.com/appxEj2BSKKj7qFsB/shrexDb7Ssyfrclra

05/19/2026

Mother Nature decided to give us a blast of mid-Summer weather! Please keep an eye out for pets in hot cars. Temperatures can skyrocket in a matter of minutes.

It is illegal in ME to confine animals when extreme heat can be harmful. ME law also allows for law enforcement officers, humane agents, animal control officers, firefighters or licensed security guards to "take all steps that are reasonably necessary" to remove an animal from a motor vehicle if the animal's safety, health or well-being appears to be in immediate danger of extreme suffering or death.

05/18/2026

Now is the Time to Speak Up for Farm Animals!

The Senate is now working on their version of the Farm Bill. The House recently passed their version of the Farm Bill, which included H.R. 4673 “Save Our Bacon” Act.

This language is one of the largest setbacks for farmed animal welfare in history, that would not only overturn years of hard fought, voter-approved state laws eliminating forms of extreme farmed animal confinement (including bills we passed right here in Maine), but would also prevent states from implementing animal welfare legislation for farmed animals into the future.

Your voice is needed now to prevent this language from passing in the Senate!

Tell them to reject H.R. 4673 “Save Our Bacon” Act and that you care about the welfare of farm animals and want to preserve the right of states to ensure their protection!

Call Senator Susan Collins- 202-224-2523
Senator Angus King 202-224-5344

You'll likely leave a message or speak to a staffer- Just share your name, town of residence, and that you OPPOSE any inclusion of H.R. 4673 in the Senate version of the Farm Bill.

FMI- https://secure.aspca.org/action/farm-bill

Urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that reforms our farming system and reflects Americans’ concern and compassion for billions of animals.

05/16/2026

Attention ACOs and field services folks! Check out the upcoming New England Animal Control and Humane Academy, being held in Durham NH in late July.

In memory of ACO Wendell Strout, there is a new scholarship opportunity for a Maine ACO- get your application in ASAP!

Learn more and register for the annual New England Animal Control Humane Academy.

05/12/2026

As we work to coordinate another shipment of pet food into Maine next week, we humbly ask for your help.

If you feel like we do- that empty bowls have no place in Maine- then please consider joining us to keep these shipments happening! Maine Humane pays all shipping costs related to each truckload (typically over $2000) and we would love your support to help cover those costs.

Together we can bring food to all corners of the state! If you have a pet food pantry that is not yet part of our hub, please reach out. If you are able to make a one-time donation, or join us as a monthly Pet Food Friend- thank you!



https://givebutter.com/petpantryproject