Please Adopt Us

As the year 2009 comes to an end so do the first nine months of the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard operation. Everyone who has been involved with the shelter from the very beginning — from the dedicated workers who painted, cleaned and scrubbed the building, to the board members who worked just as hard to put together the rules of operation of the new shelter, to Russell Smith who assumed the role of director of operations (little did he know what a challenge that would be) and most of all to our new manager, Lisa Hayes and her crew of volunteers who keep the shelter clean and the animals happy and well-fed — this has been a year of challenge also. We are happy to report that 43 dogs and cats have been adopted and found homes. We also owe a debt of gratitude to the generosity of animal lovers all over the Island and beyond; these generous people have not only donated money to keep the shelter running, but have donated food, blankets, cleaning supplies, toys, and even cat carriers. When we ask for something, it is given with love. Thank you to everyone who has kept the shelter running and happy new year from all of us at the shelter.

The year 2010 brings a new challenge, as the MSPCA, which owns the building, has to decide what will happen to the building. We all hope that they will find it in their hearts to let us keep giving shelter to Island animals who are lost, given up or are strays. The shelter needs an updated heating and air conditioning system which will cost about $10,000. As soon as the MSPCA makes its decision, we will start a campaign to raise the money for this system.

The animals available for adoption this week are: Shady, the sleek black female cat with lovely green eyes; Squibby, the tiger manx who would love to be an indoor-outdoor cat; Max, the sweet, mostly white shy cat and her buddy Phoebe, the little tiger cat, who really need a loving home; Pearl, the elderly all-white cat who would love a nice soft lap or a couch to curl up on; and finally the two beagles, Vito and Louie, who need some training but are gentle and would love a home with someone who is willing to take the time to work with them.

The shelter always needs cat food, especially dry food. Lisa has suggested the Blue Seal dry food which is carried by SBS. Also needed are kitty litter as well as cleaning supplies including bleach, paper towels and laundry soap.

I have enjoyed writing the Please Adopt us column and it is so encouraging to hear the nice comments about the column and to realize that many animals have been adopted because of it. My thanks go to the Gazette and to Julia Wells for finding the space each week for me to tell you all about the wonderful animals at the shelter available for adoption. A very happy new year to all.

— Janet Norton