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The Coastal Humane Society is a private,
nonprofit charitable corporation founded in 1950 and incorporated
in 1965. The society exists to help prevent cruelty to animals
and to provide shelter care and protection for the area's
stray, abandoned and abused animals. CHS receives no federal or
state funds, and local funds only through animal control
fee-for-service contracts with 12 local towns. Animal control
fees amount to less than 20% of our total income. All other funds
must be raised through events and private sources. We serve over 3000 animals a year.
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Our Mission
To assist by all means the
prevention of cruelty to animals.
To alleviate and relieve the suffering of animals
occasioned by any cause or causes whatsoever.
To establish, operate, and mainain shelter facilities for
stray, homeless, or unwanted abandoned small animals.
To educate the population in the area served by the
corporation and disseminate information and materials pertaining
to humane principles in the treatment of all animals.
To ensure that all dogs, cats, and other domesticated
animals are adopted into lifelong responsible homes.
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"The worst
sin to our fellow creatures is not to hate them but to be
indifferent to them - that's the essence of
inhumanity."
George Bernard
Shaw
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Our History
1950 Professor Stanley Chase of Bowdoin College served as the Society's first president. The volunteers lease and renovate a barn (near the current shelter site) to serve as an animal shelter.
Mrs. Fredericks, who owns the property, is also the first shelter manager.
1955 Mrs. Robert Poland, a local animal lover, purchases the property and agrees to help run the facility. Mrs. Poland served as the Shelter manager for many years.
1966 The board led by Mrs. James Harvie sets up a building committee to construct a new facility. They raise $20,000 for the project.
1975 The current building is expanded to meet increasing demand for space.
1991 The Shelter serves over 2,000 for the first time.
1995 Construction of a larger
facility is completed.
2006 Dr. David Bourassa
joins CHS as a full time veterinarian.
Recent Changes:
2008 Clinic area improvements,
Cat Adoption Center opened.
2009 New and
improved ventilation system installed and outside "Safe Kitty" areas
constructed.
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