Maine Pets

H.A.R.T. hosts an open house the first Saturday of each month where you can adopt a cat of your own.

Marcia Carr

Town:Gray

Title: President, volunteer

Organization: Homeless Animal Rescue Team of Maine (HART)

Day Job: President, volunteer

Own pets: Two cats, Nellie and Maggie

A: The Homeless Animal Rescue Team (HART) is a shelter and adoption center for cats that has operated in Cumberland, Maine since 1997. Our mission is to provide refuge, comfort, and medical attention to cats and kittens that have been surrendered, abandoned, injured, or abused, and find loving homes to adopt them.

HART was founded in a renovated barn in Cumberland. Over time, more volunteers joined to help with the animals. In April 1999, the founder relocated out-of-state, but allowed HART to continue operating the shelter from the property. HART's volunteers took on the responsibility of running the shelter, and we officially reorganized, becoming a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. Our new building was constructed in 2004 on the corner of Rt 100 and Range Rd in Cumberland. It was custom designed for cat sheltering and offers our residents an open environment, with climbing structures and lots of comfy beds. This environment allows the cats the freedom to play, nest, and hide, as well as form bonds with one another. All of our animals receive lots of love and attention, as well as expert veterinary care.

Today, HART is a respected private shelter and adoption center, licensed by the state of Maine. We have a committed group of approximately 80 volunteers who have built a solid base of community support, engaged a committed network of veterinarians to provide medical services, and steadily raised funds from individuals and foundations to provide the animals in our care with food, medicine, and a secure, comfortable environment. HART plays an active role in promoting spaying and neutering as the solution to the problem of pet overpopulation. HART offers its services to people who can no longer provide the ideal home for their pets and to animals that may have never had a home to call their own.

HART is staffed entirely by volunteers who are dedicated to the well being of the shelter residents. We care for pets that would otherwise be out on the street, assuring their safety, health, and comfort. The people who help do so knowing that their generosity and kindness make a difference in the lives of many animals. (We can always use more volunteer help, so if you love cats and can spare some time, please let us know!) HART is proud of its vaccination policies and the care that its residents receive. When they arrive at the shelter, all cats are tested for feline leukemia (FELV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Prior to adoption, all cats are spayed or neutered and brought current on their rabies and distemper vaccinations.

HART receives no public funding of any kind. We are supported entirely by the generosity of individual donors, foundations, and businesses. Please lend your support by sending a donation to: HART, P.O. Box 351, Cumberland, Maine 04021. All contributions are tax deductible.

Q: How many cats does HART care for?

A: The new HART shelter was built to house up to 125 cats. In 2007 though, the number of surrenders and strays has increased incredibly and the shelter has been housing around 150 feline residents at any one time. Through November, HART has taken in over 600 new residents, 100 more than last year. As of the beginning of December, we also have found new homes also for just over 600 cats! Again, 100 more than last year, with a month left to go! We almost always have at least 120 cats in residence. Most of our cats are adoptable, although we do have a number of feral kitties in residence. We also have a room that houses feline Aids cats. These cats do not show symptoms and can live very normal, long lives. They appear to be healthy and are certainly adoptable, just not into homes where there are other healthy cats. These great cats need to be either by themselves or with other Aids kitties.

Q: Where do HART¹s cats come from?

A: Our cats come to the shelter many different ways. We take in strays from the Falmouth and Cumberland Animal Control Officer and individuals in the surrounding communities. Due to the aging population, HART has noticed a large increase in cat surrenders due to the owners going into assisted living or passing away. HART tries to take as many owner surrenders as possible, although we try to encourage people to find new homes for their cats, rather than putting them into a shelter. Most cats will adapt better if they go directly from one home to another. Losing a comfortable home and life at a shelter can, of course, be stressful for some cats. Cats are healthier in a loving, home environment. We always find a place for strays so that we can protect them from the weather and starvation. We also have taken AID¹s kitties from as far away as New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina up to northern Maine.

Q: How do you choose the right cat for you and your family?

A: HART tries very hard to help families choose the right cat. We have been quite successful at matching the right cat to the new family. We ask lots of questions to determine what the family is looking for. Do they want a lap cat, a follower, a talker, a playful or a quiet cat? Do they have color or age preferences? We also look at the ages of the family members and the home circumstances. Because our cats live in an open environment, we get to know the personalities, likes and dislikes of our cats which truly helps us find a good match. Our volunteers get to know the cats very well which is very important in matchmaking! If we don¹t think a certain cat is appropriate for that home, we would advise the people of that, would not allow the adoption, and would steer the people to a different cat. We encourage visitors to spend some time in the open rooms, to sit down, and see what happens---see who comes to them.

Q: What are the most important things a new cat owner should know about taking a cat home?

A: Patience and understanding are key. Many times, the new owner needs to be very patient and give the new pet time to adjust. Most cats don¹t like going for rides in cars, then they arrive in a strange home, many times to other pets, so they can be already stressed when they arrive at their new home. It¹s hard for us to understand that a cat can be very scared and they have had difficult experiences in the past. Sometimes, people think that they can just take a cat home, let it run free, thinking that the cat will just be so happyŠ.then the cat goes and hides under the bed and won¹t come out! It can be quite traumatic for a cat when they are brought to a shelter, they get comfortable, and then get moved again. Patience, time, and lots of love are very important!

Q: What¹s the best way to introduce a new cat to other pets?

A:The key is to do slow introductions. When a cat is adopted, we give the new owner written and verbal tips on how to make successful introductions. Depending on the personalities, many times it¹s best to keep them separated for a period of time, let them sniff each other under doorways, and to keep their food and litter boxes separated. Rather than immediately throwing the animals together in one room, we recommend that the pets are kept separated for a period of time and that they meet slowly. Many times, keeping the new cat in a small room, like a bathroom, can be advisable so that they can¹t go hide under the bed! Just be sure to have a nice, warm, comfortable bed for them to feel safe in. Let them adjust to their new surroundings slowly. When they seem comfortable there, open up the door and let them explore when they are ready.

Q: What are the pros/cons of getting your cat declawed?

A: The obvious ³pro² is that the cat will now claw your furniture. Although HART does not have a policy on declawing, we would not recommend declawing an older cat who has always had the use of his claws. The procedure can be quite painful and can be traumatic to an animal. If possible, it could be done at the same time a young cat is spayed or neutered. Many times, indoor cats will escape to the outside world, and if that should happen, the cat has no good way to protect himself, and also could have difficulty climbing a tree to escape danger. Declawing has been know to cause issues in cats at later dates. We¹d recommend talking to your veterinarian and doing research on line.

Q: Do cats need collars/registration in Maine?

A: No, cats do not need to be registered like dogs or have collars. Breakaway collars can always be helpful in identifying a cat if the animal gets separated from their owner. Micro-chipping is becoming much more popular across the country. When stray cats are brought into the shelter, we use a small, hand held scanner that can detect the microchips. Veterinarians can insert the chip into the skin on the back of your animal¹s neck. Should your cat get lost, it is a tremendous help in reuniting you and your beloved pet. Be sure to have current pictures of your pets so that they can be used to help a shelter identify your pet if necessary.

Q: How can people get involved with HART?

A: HART is a completely volunteer group, so everyone is there because they want to be there! We all share the love of cats and want to help them in whatever way we can. HART always welcome new volunteers and we need new people badly. The shelter has many various ways that people can help, depending on their interests. We do not have set hours at the shelter, so the best way for people to contact us is to call first at 829-4116 or send an e-mail to: info@hartofme.com. Normally, there are people at the shelter in the morning cleaning. Saturday or Sunday mornings are always good times to stop in because we have more help on those days, but it is always helpful to set up a date and time to come in to talk to us. We have a list of volunteer opportunities that we could give or send you. We need people to help clean, assist with publicity and fund raising, taking cats to and from vet appointments, filing paperwork, brushing cats, givng tours, helping with adoptions, administering medications, picking up supplies, organizing, I could go on and on!

Q: What is your favorite cat movie? A: My favorite cat didn¹t have his own movieŠalthough he should! He had a small role, but a very important one. I¹m talking about Puss-In-Boots from Shrek! He is my absolute favorite! I just fell in love with him from the very first time that I saw him on the big screen. Puss-In-Boots is extremely smooth and debonair. He is like most cats that I know because he can wrap people around his little paws, when he chooses to that is. He turns on the charm when he wants to, but can bare his claws whenever his mood changes. The accent also gives him charm!