We are a small group of Bucksport and Orland residents who are working to support and complement the fundraising effort to build a new animal shelter in Bucksport.

We are long past due for a suitable animal shelter that supports the needs of not only our town but 8 other surrounding towns that contract through Bucksport as well for their animal control needs. The existing buildings are both extremely small (think one shed for the dogs and another for the cats). The current structures could tell a mighty story for the countless animals they have sheltered, but they have been MacGyvered together long enough. The heating and cooling systems are inefficient, and the buildings are not well insulated. The kennels are small and provide little room for badly needed enrichment to help make these animals adoptable. The ACO has no formal area to work (or even a restroom!). The location of the shelter is near a large transfer station building causing echoes when the dogs bark that cannot be avoided.

The Bucksport Town Council has given approval for fundraising a new building. We have the lofty goal of raising over $600K, through combinations of grassroots efforts, philanthropy, and any grant opportunities we can come across. In the present economic climate, we will need to raise these funds outside of the current taxpayer-funded budget.

I hope you can find it in your means to help this cause. No amount is too small. If the GoFundMe platform isn’t your thing, you can always go to the Bucksport Town Office and donate directly—be sure to tell them you want your donation to go directly to the Animal Shelter Building Fund.

All of the monies raised through this GoFundMe campaign will be given to the Town for the specific purpose of building the shelter.