Midcoast Humane (formerly Coastal Humane Society and Lincoln County Animal Shelter) will host its first-ever “Shelter-bration” on Thursday, Nov. 8, 6-9 p.m., at the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street, Bath.

The evening will be an opportunity for shelter supporters and friends to enjoy catered food and drink and to celebrate the organization’s successes from the past year.

The shelter has admitted 2,900 stray, abandoned, or relinquished animals in 2018 so far. While most animals enter the shelter as strays or surrendered by owners who can no longer care for their pet, some animals are victims of cruelty, like the two Bengal kittens that were thrown into a pond in Harpswell in July, and the four dogs in Washington that were abandoned in a trailer. (All are now in excellent health.)

Midcoast Humane provides full veterinary care to each resident, amounting to 1,499 surgeries (including spay/neuter), 7,426 vaccines, and 8,367 veterinary exams as of mid-October.

In September, Midcoast Humane announced its new name, marking the final step in the integration of Coastal Humane Society and Lincoln County Animal Shelter, which began in 2015.

Trendy Stanchfield has led the organization as executive director since January.

“We have had a banner year at Midcoast Humane,” said Stanchfield. “We have had so much positive feedback and enthusiasm for our new name and our direction – and the news will only keep getting better.” 

Midcoast Humane anticipates a busy rest of the year, with plans to expand programs and services to pet owners throughout its contracted towns, which span the Midcoast from Falmouth to Washington – 40 municipalities in all. Among those services will be more frequent low-cost wellness clinics and additional off-site adoption events to bring adoptable animals to more remote areas.

“Our community cares about animals,” said Stanchfield. “Shelter-bration is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to the donors, volunteers, and adopters that help us achieve our mission of making life better for animals and people in our community. And it’s an opportunity to welcome into our family those that want to be a part of our life-saving work.”

News Center Maine reporter and animal lover Don Carrigan will emcee the event. Catered light fare will be provided by Seacoast Catering and Sprague Point. There will be an open bar featuring local brews and wine, as well as a wine toss and a beer pull.

Shelterbration tickets are $40 per person or $75 per pair and may be purchased at midcoasthumane.org/shelterbration or by calling 449-1366. Contact Kadie Glynn for more information at kglynn@midcoasthumane.org.