Please Help Hello Doggie Daycare

Hello Doggie lovers!

Our beloved local Hello Doggie Daycare and her 501c3 Rescue is really struggling to make ends meet during all this craziness with zoning appeals and lawsuit :( Things look very promising but we need your help!

We want to set up 3 cameras ($550+ monthly subscription) to monitor noise levels and prove that any barking is minimal! This is really important for both approval from the town and the lawsuit from a neighbor. (All of the other neighbors are supportive!)

She also had to pay $300 to go to the appeals board on 3/20 and will have to pay another $500 to file the variance IN A FEW DAYS! Eek!

On top of that she has the usual business expenses like utilities, rent, etc!

Her lawyer has been very gracious (thank you!) but she needs to be compensated for her time! Especially as they’re having to respond to the lawsuit. :(

Please! If you only can contribute a tiny bit, everything helps! We appreciate it!!!

Back story if you haven’t been following:

After having operated in Raymond for several years, the building was sold and she found the property for lease at 90 Roosevelt trail Casco.

The property was listed as Commercial and they checked with the town about whether it was permissible to have a doggie daycare at this location. All was a go so preparations began. The landlord spent a great deal of money updating the building then she spent 10-12k on renovations and other preparations.

In February of 2022, she was given her official permit from the town, she was licensed with the state, and she finally opened! (It was a long ~6 months of no income! All was well!

She was slowly gaining back her regular customers then a seasonal neighbor approximately .34 miles away began complaining about the noise. (How can they hear anything over the traffic on 302?) Or was it suspected abuse? Or was it suspected negligence? Or was it dangerous looking dogs? I can’t keep track of all the different excuses they reported. Bottom line: They don’t like dogs and they want her gone!

The Animal Control Officer AND Code Enforcer both investigated the complaints on separate occasions and could not substantiate the claims.

Well.

This is where things get more interesting.

They hired a lawyer to dig into Zoning and Ordinance and uncovered that a sliver of the parcel of land was in Village District. So they sent a long letter to the town explaining all the reasons why they should shut her down. The Town followed the correct process and issued the daycare a violation. She was provided a form to issue an administrative appeal which was $300. That appeal meeting was 3/20. The next step was to close the administrative appeal and file a requests for a variance. That’s going to be another $500! Eesh!

Oh yeah and did I mention she’s being sued directly by the same individuals? Yeah so that’s fun. (Not).

Please! If you can only donate a small amount it goes to a great cause! Her rescue is a 501c3. You may be able to donate to her directly (and get a tax write off) and not lose a percentage through go fund me.