For the pets
you call family.
Find animal shelters, pet food support, adoption services, and lower-cost veterinary resources across Maine.
Find pet support near you
Animal welfare resources
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Browse pet food support-
Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland
217 Landing Rd, Westbrook, ME 04092
No-kill animal shelter caring for 4,000+ animals annually. Adoption, foster programs, low-cost spay/neuter clinic, vaccination clinics, and pet food bank for families in need. Founded in 1911 by Maine Governor Percival Baxter.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Tue, Thu 11 AM - 5 PM; Fri 11 AM - 6 PM; Sat-Sun 10 AM - 4 PM; Wed closed
- Who this helps
- Open to the general public. Adoption available to anyone who completes an application. Low-cost spay/neuter services available to income-qualifying pet owners. Pet food pantry and Ani-Meals on Wheels serve community members in need. ARLGP serves 15 communities in Southern Maine.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Bangor Humane Society
693 Mt Hope Ave, Bangor, ME 04401
Eastern Maine's largest animal shelter with adoption, surrender services, low-cost spay/neuter, and a pet food pantry for families struggling to feed their pets. Open-admission shelter accepting all animals regardless of condition.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Open to the general public. Adoption available to anyone who completes an application and meets adoption criteria. Pet food pantry available to community members who need help feeding their pets. Low-cost spay/neuter services available.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
55 Strawberry Ave, Lewiston, ME 04240
Open-admission shelter serving Androscoggin County with adoption, foster, low-cost spay/neuter, and the Fetchin' Food pet food bank. No-appointment pet food assistance for families struggling to feed their animals.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Sun-Mon closed
- Who this helps
- Open to the general public. Adoption available to anyone who completes an application. Fetchin' Food pet food bank available to any community member struggling to feed their pets. No income verification required.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Kennebec Valley Humane Society
168 Leighton Rd, Augusta, ME 04330
Animal shelter serving Kennebec County with adoption, foster care, low-cost veterinary clinics, and community outreach. Compassionate shelter providing second chances for dogs, cats, and small animals.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Wed-Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Open to the general public. Adoption available to anyone who completes an application. Low-cost veterinary services available to community members.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Animal Welfare Society
46 Holland Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043
Full-service animal welfare organization with adoption, low-cost veterinary clinic, pet food bank, and community programs. Their Barbara Bush Community Veterinary Clinic provides affordable vet care for income-qualifying pet owners.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (shelter); Vet clinic by appointment
- Who this helps
- Shelter and adoption open to the general public. Barbara Bush Community Veterinary Clinic services available to pet owners at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Pet food bank available to anyone in need.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Help Fix ME
Statewide support
State-run low-cost spay/neuter program for cats and dogs. Vouchers available for qualifying Maine pet owners to use at participating veterinarians statewide. Helps reduce pet overpopulation.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call 1-800-367-1317 or email [email protected]
- Who this helps
- Available to Maine residents who qualify based on income or receive public assistance (MaineCare, SNAP, SSI, etc.). Vouchers can be used at participating veterinary clinics across Maine.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Community Spay-Neuter Clinic
321 Lewiston Rd, Topsham, ME 04086
High-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic serving Maine. Affordable sterilization surgery for cats with additional vaccines available. Located in Topsham, serving communities across the state.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment, call (207) 721-8395
- Who this helps
- Open to all pet owners. Low-cost pricing for everyone. No income restrictions for basic services.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Misfits Rehab
850 Garfield Rd, Auburn, ME 04210
Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center caring for injured, orphaned, and sick wild animals. Provides medical treatment and rehabilitation with the goal of releasing healthy animals back into the wild. Community-funded, no government support.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call (207) 212-1039 or email [email protected]
- Who this helps
- Contact Misfits Rehab if you find injured, orphaned, or sick wildlife in the Maine area. They accept wild animals in need of rescue and rehabilitation.
Confirm details with the organization.
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ARLGP Pet Food Pantry
217 Landing Rd, Westbrook, ME 04092
Free pet food and supplies for anyone struggling to feed their pets. Open three days per week. Also partners with Meals on Wheels to deliver pet food to homebound seniors.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue, Thu & Sun 3pm-5pm
- Who this helps
- Anyone struggling to afford pet food. No income verification.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Kommunity Kritters
155 Lisbon St, Lewiston, ME 04240
Free pet food pantry serving Lewiston's Tree Streets neighborhood and beyond. Food and supplies for cats, dogs, and small animals. Also connects owners with low-cost spay/neuter.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon, Wed, Fri 11am-4pm
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone with pets who needs help. No ID or income verification.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Furry Friends Food Bank
450 Essex St, Bangor, ME 04401
Free pet food program for low-income seniors age 60+ who need help feeding their companion animals. Distributes through 26 locations across Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, and Washington counties.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call to enroll and find nearest distribution location
- Who this helps
- Seniors age 60+ who meet income guidelines in Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock, or Washington counties.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Amy Buxton Pet Pantry
9 Church Street, Augusta, ME 04330
Free pet food pantry for pet owners who have fallen on hard times. Open one Saturday per month. No proof of income required.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- 2nd Saturday of each month 9-10am. Office: Tue-Fri 9am-1pm
- Who this helps
- Any pet owner in need. No income verification.
Confirm details with the organization.
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SPCA of Hancock County
141 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605
Animal shelter serving Hancock County since 1911. Pet adoptions, surrender services, and a free pet food and supply pantry. No questions asked. Also offers spay/neuter assistance.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 11am-5pm
- Who this helps
- Pet food pantry open to anyone. No income verification. Spay/neuter assistance for low-income Hancock County residents.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Friends of Feral Felines
651 Forest Ave, 2nd Floor, Portland, ME 04103
Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program reducing the feral cat population humanely in Cumberland and York counties since 1993. Also operates a barn cat relocation program and has adoptable cats available.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call for appointment and program hours
- Who this helps
- TNR program available for feral and stray cats in Cumberland and York counties. Adoptable cats available to approved adopters. Barn cat program available for farms and properties needing working cats.
Confirm details with the organization.
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The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter
60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622
Animal shelter serving Hancock and Washington counties. Free pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter vouchers for income-eligible residents, and emergency vet financial assistance.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue–Sat 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Pet food pantry open to all. Spay/neuter vouchers for income-eligible Washington and Hancock County residents.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Maine Animal Health Alliance
231 Old Belgrade Road, Augusta, ME 04330
Nonprofit low-cost spay/neuter clinic with wellness exams, vaccinations, and microchipping. Financial assistance available for those who cannot afford full-price vet care.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment, call or book online
- Who this helps
- Open to all pet owners. Financial assistance available for those with financial difficulties.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Spectrum Generations AniMeals
Statewide support
Free pet food delivered to homebound seniors alongside Meals on Wheels. Keeps seniors and their companion animals together.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Delivered with Meals on Wheels schedule
- Who this helps
- Homebound seniors receiving Meals on Wheels.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Mainely Pets Foundation
174 US Route One, Falmouth, ME 04105
Nonprofit providing financial grants for veterinary care to Maine pet owners experiencing financial hardship or trauma. Apply through their website.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Application-based, apply online
- Who this helps
- Maine pet owners experiencing financial hardship. Must submit an application.
Confirm details with the organization.
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PAWS Brave Hearts
368 South Street, Calais, ME 04619
No-kill animal shelter with adoption, pet food assistance, low-cost spay/neuter, and trap-neuter-return for community cats.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Fri–Sun 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Open to Washington County residents. Spay/neuter by appointment.
Confirm details with the organization.
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The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter
60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622
No-kill animal shelter serving Washington and Hancock counties since 1984. Provides adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter assistance, pet food pantry, and trap-neuter-return programs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone for adoptions. Spay/neuter assistance available for low-income families.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Midcoast Humane
5 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, ME 04011
Nonprofit animal shelter serving 39 municipalities throughout Midcoast Maine. Helps over 4,000 animals each year with adoption, veterinary care, and community programs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Daily 11am-3pm (closed Wednesdays)
- Who this helps
- Open to the public. Adoption applications reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County
25 Buttermilk Lane, Thomaston, ME 04861
Animal shelter serving Knox County and surrounding communities. Provides adoption services, low-cost clinics, and animal welfare programs from their Thomaston facility.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Sat 11am-4pm, closed Sundays and 3rd Wednesday of each month
- Who this helps
- Open to the public for adoptions and services. Knox County residents can access low-cost programs.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills
9 Lower Swallow Road, South Paris, ME 04281
No-kill, nonprofit shelter and adoption center for cats and dogs in the Oxford Hills area. Provides compassionate care and permanent placement for homeless animals.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Fri-Sun 12pm-4pm, closed Mon-Thu
- Who this helps
- Open to the public. Serves the Oxford Hills and surrounding communities.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Halfway Home Pet Rescue
489 Main Street, Caribou, ME 04736
Nonprofit rescue organization in Aroostook County dedicated to saving abused and abandoned animals. Provides adoption services, foster care, and public spay clinics.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment only
- Who this helps
- Open to the public. Adoption applications reviewed individually.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Franklin County Animal Shelter
550 Industry Rd, Farmington, ME 04938
No-kill shelter providing temporary care for stray, homeless, and abandoned cats and dogs in Franklin County since 1974. All animals are spayed/neutered and vaccinated before adoption.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Sat 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Sun Closed
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt a pet, surrender an animal, or report a stray in the Franklin County area.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Central Aroostook Humane Society
24 Cross St, Presque Isle, ME 04769
Nonprofit animal shelter serving 30 towns across Aroostook County since 1966. Takes in roughly 500 cats and 250 dogs per year, plus small animals. Offers adoptions, grooming, and puppy socialization classes.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun-Mon Closed
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt a pet or surrender an animal in the Aroostook County area.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Houlton Humane Society
263 Callaghan Rd, Houlton, ME 04730
Animal shelter in southern Aroostook County providing adoption services and hosting low-cost spay/neuter clinics through Maine Woods Mobile Vet.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Sat 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Sun Closed
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt a pet, surrender an animal, or access low-cost spay/neuter services.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Somerset Humane Society
123 Middle Rd, Skowhegan, ME 04976
No-kill shelter in Skowhegan serving Somerset County. Provides adoption services, shelter, and care for homeless cats and dogs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Mon-Tue 1:00-4:00 PM, Thu-Fri 1:00-5:00 PM, Sat 1:00-4:00 PM, Wed & Sun Closed
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt a pet or surrender an animal in the Somerset County area.
Confirm details with the organization.
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PAWS of Milo
39 Clinton St, Milo, ME 04463
No-kill animal shelter serving Piscataquis County. Provides pet adoption, surrender services, and low-cost spay/neuter programs.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call for current hours
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt a pet or needing to surrender an animal. Serves Piscataquis County residents.
Confirm details with the organization.
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P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center
123 John St, Camden, ME 04843
No-kill animal shelter with adoption services, a low-income veterinary clinic (PAWS Cares), and crisis pet boarding for people experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Tue-Sat 11AM-4PM
- Who this helps
- Adoptions open to all. PAWS Cares vet clinic for low-income pet owners. Crisis boarding for DV survivors and those experiencing homelessness.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Penobscot Valley Humane Society
1 Park Avenue, Lincoln, ME 04457
No-kill animal shelter offering dog and cat adoptions, fostering, and veterinary care. Appointment-only facility serving the greater Penobscot County area.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment only (call or schedule online)
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt, foster, or surrender a pet. Appointment required.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Peace Ridge Sanctuary
1111 Littlefield Road, Brooks, ME 04921
GFAS-accredited sanctuary on 1,725 acres providing permanent homes for 600+ rescued farmed animals, equines, dogs, and special-needs animals. Winner of the 2024 GFAS Outstanding Sanctuary of the Year Award.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- Call or visit website for tour/visit scheduling
- Who this helps
- Animals in need of rescue or sanctuary. Visitors welcome by arrangement.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Bucksport Animal Shelter
Transfer Station Road, Bucksport, ME 04416
Municipal animal shelter run by the Town of Bucksport providing animal control services and pet adoptions by appointment.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- By appointment
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone looking to adopt or needing animal control services in the Bucksport area.
Confirm details with the organization.
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Pittie Posse Rescue Pet Pantry
169 Pleasant Street, Auburn, ME 04210
Free dog and cat food, treats, cat litter, and pet supplies distributed monthly across southern Maine. Open to anyone who needs help feeding their pet.
Hours & eligibility
- Listed hours
- One Sunday per month 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM; dates announced on Facebook
- Who this helps
- Open to anyone in southern Maine who needs help feeding a pet. No ID or income verification required.
Confirm details with the organization.
Listings may include nearby communities. Contact the organization to confirm its current location, hours, and who it serves.
Before you call or visit.
Shelters, food programs, and clinics offer different kinds of help.
Ask about your animal
Confirm which species, sizes, and services the program handles. Ask about appointments and current capacity.
Check cost and funding
A low-cost clinic is not always free. Ask about fees, assistance requirements, and whether funding is currently available.
Plan for the visit
Ask what records, carrier, leash, or other supplies to bring. For a sick or injured pet, contact a veterinarian directly.
