Deadline to apply for Animal Welfare Fund grants is June 1

ELLSWORTH — Furry companions became a lifeline for many people during the pandemic as an estimated 23 million American households adopted a pet. At the same time, housing issues and loss of income made life more stressful for some pet owners.
Grants from Maine Community Foundation’s Animal Welfare Fund helped close gaps in services with support for veterinary services, vaccination clinics, food, spay and neuter assistance, and stay-at-home programs for 21 nonprofits in 2021, in the amount of $282,850. MaineCF has awarded more than $1 million in grants since the program began in 2008.
Proposals for this year’s grants are being accepted through June 1. A virtual information session about the grant program will be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. To register for the information session and to learn more about the program, visit www.mainecf.org, or contact Program Officer John Ochira at 1-877-700-6800 or jochira@mainecf.org.
An anonymous donor established the fund in 2007. It is further supported by the Doree Taylor Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee, and the George F. Lyman and Ernestine Lyman Trust.

PHOTO: Delilah, a Parson Russell terrier mix, has been with the Bangor Humane Society for nearly three years and is still searching for the right home for her unique needs. (Bangor Humane Society photo)