MSSPA video wins “Justice for ME” video contest
In response to a recent call to the public by Virginia Davis, Esq., current president of the Maine State Bar Association, the Society (with a little help from their friends!) produced a short video creatively illustrating the meaning of justice and the role of the judicial branch in our government. The Society’s video, posted on YouTube in accordance with contest requirements, was announced as the winner of the “over 18” category at the MSBA’s summer meeting in Bar Harbor in late June. The video presents the fictionalized account of the life of a standardbred horse named Big Mac. It also pokes a little lighthearted fun at the term “justice.” In addition to a screening of the video to hundreds of Maine lawyers assembled at the Bar Harbor Club, the Society also received a cash prize of $500.00. Click this link to view the prizewinning video .
The MSSPA is not a state agency. It is a nonprofit corporation formed for the purposes of providing rehabilitative services to large animals, primarily horses, who have been removed by Maine law enforcement agents from abuse or neglect situations. Because the state of Maine does not operate any animal shelters, it must place seized animals with facilities designed for the care and treatment of the animals it takes into its possession. Although there are numerous shelters throughout the state able to provide care to small animals, the Society is the only shelter whose primary mission is to receive and rehabilitate large animals. The Society does not charge the state or Maine taxpayers for the services provided.
The $500.00 cash prize won in the “Justice for ME” video contest will go into the Society’s $1.3 million dollar budget for 2009. MSSPA President Marilyn L. Goodreau said, “$500.00 will buy 100 bales of hay. We use approximately 20,000 bales annually, and every dollar raised helps us to fill the hay loft. The Society is proud to help bring to justice to those who abuse or neglect their animals in violation of Maine law.”
The Society's River Road farm facility at 279 River Road in South Windham, Maine is open to the public without admission charge daily from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The barns close at 3:00 p.m. to permit night feeding of the horses. The public is cordially invited to visit the facility, meet the animals and experience the special atmosphere of New England's largest equine rescue and rehabilitation facility.