This page pulls together local resources for pet owners in Buckfield, Hartford, Sumner, West Paris, Stoneham, and the Oxford County Unorganized Territories. Whether you need help with food, spay and neuter costs, veterinary assistance, cat rescue and placement, or finding a new home for an animal you can no longer care for, this page is a starting point. If you have questions about any of these resources or need help figuring out where to turn, contact me through dispatch at 207-743-9554, option 0.
Pet Food Pantries in Our Area
Pet food is available at the following human food pantries in the coverage area. Supplies depend on donations and vary month to month. If you are able to donate pet food or volunteer at any of these locations, please reach out to the pantry directly.
Buckfield Buckfield Community Church 76 Turner Street, Buckfield ME 04220 Second Wednesday of each month, Noon to 2 PM and 5 to 6 PM Contact: 207-336-2776
Sumner Sumner Food Bank at East Sumner Congregational Church 50 Main Street, Sumner ME 04292 First and third Monday of each month, 9 AM to Noon Contact: 207-388-2610 or esumnercc@gmail.com Sumner Food Bank information
West Paris Neighborly Niche Food Pantry 14 Church Street, West Paris ME 04289 First Tuesday of each month, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Hartford Hartford Food Pantry Closest Saturday to the 15th of each month, 9:00 to 10:30 AM Contact: 207-224-8186
Hours and availability change. Call ahead before your first visit.
About the PAWS Fund
PAWS is an informal community fund I manage to help cover veterinary emergencies and other animal welfare needs that fall through the cracks across the coverage area. It is not a formal nonprofit. If you or someone you know has an animal in crisis and needs assistance, contact me through dispatch at 207-743-9554, option 0.
Low Cost Spay and Neuter
Cat Coalition of Western Maine The closest and most relevant option for many residents in the coverage area. Cat Coalition of Western Maine runs a monthly spay and neuter clinic in Harrison and has been actively supporting the West Paris TNR colony program. Cats and community cat colonies are their specialty. Check their Facebook page for current clinic dates and availability. Facebook: Cat Coalition of Western Maine
Help Fix ME Maine’s statewide low income spay and neuter program. Available to residents receiving SNAP, TANF, SSI, SSDI, or other qualifying assistance. Cost is $10 per cat and $20 per dog. Feral cats are free with no income requirement. Phone: 1-800-367-1317 Email: ACF.HelpFixMe@maine.gov
Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills Runs low cost spay and neuter clinics from April through November in partnership with Maine Animal Health Alliance. The closest option for most residents in the coverage area. 9 Swallow Road, South Paris ME 04281 207-743-8679 responsiblepetcare.org
Rozzie May Animal Alliance Serves western Maine with low cost spay and neuter for cats and dogs. Dog clinics held in Conway NH. Phone: 603-447-1373 rozziemayanimalalliance.org
Community Spay-Neuter Clinic Topsham. Cats only. Also runs a mobile clinic in Waterville. communityspayneuterclinic.org
Harvest Hills Animal Shelter Runs a low income cat spay and neuter clinic once per month. Call the shelter for current dates. Fryeburg, Maine harvesthills.org
Cat Rescue and Community Cat Resources
Community Cat Advocates Buckfield, Maine A 100% volunteer licensed rescue based right here in Buckfield focused on TNR, taking feral cats from shelters, trapping and relocating feral cats with no caretaker, and occasionally taking in cats who would not do well in a typical shelter setting. A direct partner in community cat work across western Maine. Website: communitycatadvocates.com Facebook: Community Cat Advocates
Cat Coalition of Western Maine Harrison, Maine TNR program, sanctuary, and monthly spay and neuter clinics. Actively works with community cat colonies in western Maine including the West Paris colony. Facebook: Cat Coalition of Western Maine
Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills South Paris, Maine No-kill nonprofit shelter for cats and kittens. Cats are spayed or neutered, tested, vaccinated, and treated for parasites before adoption. 9 Swallow Road, South Paris ME 04281 207-743-8679 responsiblepetcare.org
Rescue Organizations
Fairy Tails Rescue Turner, Maine Foster-based 501c3 rescue serving central and western Maine. Their mission is to keep pets in their homes through financial assistance and community support. They also aim to help find the best placement when that is not possible. Fairy Tails Rescue has been providing food and assistance in the Turner area. They are a valuable resource for residents on the eastern edge of the coverage area. Email: fairytailsrescueme@gmail.com Website: fairytails-rescue.weebly.com Facebook: Fairy Tails Rescue
Oxford Animal Resource Center Oxford, Maine Focused on humane education, animal protection, and community outreach in western Maine. 207-743-7217
Shelters and Adoption
Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills Contracted shelter for Buckfield, West Paris, and Hartford. 9 Swallow Road, South Paris ME 04281 207-743-8679 responsiblepetcare.org
Harvest Hills Animal Shelter Contracted shelter for Sumner, Stoneham, and Oxford County Unorganized Territories. 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg ME 04037 harvesthills.org
Greater Androscoggin Humane Society Lewiston, Maine 207-783-2311 gahumane.org
A Note on Surrenders
I am not able to accept animal surrenders or facilitate transfers directly. If you need to find a new home for an animal, please contact the contracted shelter for your town first. Buckfield, West Paris, and Hartford residents should contact Responsible Pet Care of Oxford Hills. Sumner, Stoneham, and Oxford County UT residents should contact Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. If those shelters are at capacity, reach out to other local options. You can contact the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston. Another option is Fairy Tails Rescue in Turner. Getting in touch with shelters directly gives your animal the best chance at a fast placement. If you are not sure where to start, contact me through dispatch and I can point you in the right direction.
Emergency Veterinary Care
Animal Emergency Clinic of Mid-Maine 37 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston ME 04240 207-777-1110 aec-midmaine.com
Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic 15 Dirigo Drive, Brewer ME 04412 207-989-6267
Additional Statewide Resources
Maine Animal Welfare Program 207-287-3846 Toll free: 1-877-269-9200 animal.welfare@maine.gov
SpayMaine.org Statewide directory of low cost spay and neuter resources. spaymaine.org
Maine Humane Pet Food Pantry Network Interactive map of pet food pantry locations across all 16 Maine counties. mainehumane.org/our-work/resource-sharing/pet-food-pantry