I wanted to share my story because I think it’s important that staff understand how their actions affect pet owners who have no other choice but to surrender a pet.
I had the worst experience with this organization just a little over a year ago. I had lost my first cat and wanted to add a new member to my pet family in her memory. I found the perfect fit, so I though. It turned out this pet didn’t get along well in my rented home and with my other pet. We tried everything to help in the adjustment. Consulting vets, new foods, better litter. I was out of money and out of options.
When I made the hard choice to drop off my precious pet with your staff, I could hear two staff inside talking and pointing. The staff who came to take my pet inside expressed no empathy, and asked many times what I had tried. After telling this staff so many times the fit simply wasn’t good, she took my pet, crate and all, and never looked back. I was obviously distressed.
When people ask me about this organization, this is what I tell them. Never have I felt so shamed in my life by staff who are meant to be supportive. I appeared to be judged based on this one interaction, not the many things I tried in my power to help this pet fit with my family.
Be aware of the impact you make on people, and how long lasting that can be.
There was an injured feral cat in our neighborhood. They helped us catch him and get him back where he belonged. I was so impressed with their care and professionalism, that I decided to volunteer as a foster 'parent'. They gave us all the supplies and support needed. It has been a wonderful experience.
As a current volunteer, animal foster parent, and adoptive owner of Midcoast Humane's rescued animals, I have tremendous respect for the hard work this agency does at all levels. A very committed, hardworking group of people, the administration, staff and volunteers all work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them. The people of Midcoast Humane are totally dedicated to animal welfare and have a very compassionate way of delivering services to both the animals and people who benefit by their mission.
I have been a foster parent at other agencies and have left them to solely volunteer for MCH. I think they have the best, healthiest approach to foster care and are available to me 24/7 if I have an emergency while a foster animal is in my care. Now that's commitment! I have also been on the board of other non-profit agencies. I was so impressed by MCH's volunteer handbook, that I shared it with another non-profit agency who is Service-Enterprise Certified.
Thank you, Midcoast Humane, for doing a fabulous job for our community and our animals in need.
I have adopted 3 kittens & one 11 year old dog from Midcoast Humane. I was a foster mom for 2 of the kittens I adopted. I felt as a foster volunteer I got excellent support from everyone there, I was always given medicines needed, full explanations for each group or single kitties (I did many bottle babies) and they were thoroughly checked for illness. I have always had very positive experiences with the people at Midcoast, my kittens are healthy & happy, they all really care above & beyond from everything I have seen. My dog is now 15 & still doing well! Anytime I have called Midcoast all of my questions were answered with extra advice when needed. The people are incredibly kind & make sure the animals go to good decent families that match with the needs of the cats, dogs etc. I haven't fostered for a year at least as I live further away. I recently adopted a kitten from a foster mom as did my niece. We adopted siblings and the foster mom kept us updated for nearly 6 weeks with photos & cute stories. I was given all medical information about them, their mommy cat etc. The experience was wonderful & I still keep in touch with the foster mom. Our kitten is happy & healthy, she fits perfectly into my family as does her brother into my nieces family. I could not be happier. Thank you Midcoast Humane!!!
This is a great humane society that seems to do all it can with limited funds. I volunteered at the shelter in 2011 as a dog walker. The dogs were walked on long paths through the woods multiple times a day, their cages were always kept clean and dry, and the staff worked hard to maintain their mental health. The shelter was thoroughly cleaned in the mornings, and every animal was treated individually.
The volunteers were treated with respect, and seemed to be honestly valued by the staff members. It was a great experience. I think that if a pet needs to find temporary shelter, this would be one of the best places for them to land.
Since that experience, I moved across the country. If I was still in the area, I would love to volunteer at this organization again.
I have been a donor to the Coastal Humane Society since 2004 and a volunteer since October 2008. Volunteers are treated with honor and respect here and donors are kept informed through a quarterly newsletter and timely acknowledgement of monetary and in-kind donations. Donations are used prudently and without waste.