MSSPA prepares to host its Animal Well Fair
The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is calling all volunteers and friends to lend a helping hand with the Animal Well Fair, scheduled to be held at the Society’s River Road farm on Sunday, October 19th from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The Animal Well Fair is being held to celebrate the results of the 2008 Ride to Rescue, which takes place on October 11th. Animal welfare agencies and professionals will gather under the big tent at the MSSPA to welcome the public, distribute information, provide demonstrations, and collaborate on behalf of the animals who enrich our lives.
Officials from Maine’s Animal Welfare Program of the Maine Department of Agriculture will be on hand to talk about their role in keeping Maine animals safe from abuse and neglect. They will provide updates about proposed legislation for the upcoming legislative session and solicit information from the public to improve the lives of Maine animals.
The Windham Police Department’s Canine Unit, always a crowd pleaser, will provide visitors to the farm with some remarkable demonstrations of canine officers at work. Today’s canine officers are highly trained, valued members of the law enforcement community. Their ability to aid human officers in identification and apprehension of offenders is cost effective and amazing.
In addition to discussions about improving the lives of Maine’s animals through collaboration and communication, there will be food available, merchandise on sale (is it possible that Christmas is less than 90 days away?), and prizes drawn for MSSPA raffle items. The 2008 Ride to Rescue top fund-raiser will be announced and honored. The very best reason to mark your calendar for the Animal Well Fair is the chance to see the special horses stabled in the big barn at the MSSPA. You can meet Candy, the oldest equine resident of the barn, who was featured in the story “In Search of Safe” in Down East magazine, August 2008. The Society’s baby, Delilah, an adorable Belgian filly rescued at birth, will be on hand to charm fair goers. Many more animals who, with the help of the Society, have survived horrific abuse and neglect will be waiting to meet you at the Animal Well Fair.
If you would like to volunteer at the Animal Well Fair, please contact Meris Bickford by calling 207-892-3040 or email MerisBickfordMSSPA@roadrunner.com
The Ride to Rescue/Animal Well Fair is made possible in part by a generous grant from the ASPCA. Thank you to the ASPCA for their participation on behalf of Maine animals.