Adoption, advocacy on HSUS calendar

The Maine chapter of the Humane Society of the United States is emphasizing two major efforts to protect and care for animals: advocacy and adoption.

The Maine Grassroots Advocacy Tour is in progress, with remaining sessions in Portland Nov. 21 and Belfast Nov. 23. The sessions offer participants the chance to polish up their knowledge of animal advocacy.

State HSUS director Katie Hansberry explained the sessions touch on priority animal issues including puppy mills, community cats, bear hounding and trapping, and lobbying training to help advocates use their voices to speak up for animals.

In addition, November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month, and according to Hansberry, those who choose to adopt a mature pet can take extra comfort in giving a home to an animal who may otherwise be overlooked.

Aging dogs and cats tend to have an increasingly hard time finding an adoptive family, but older pets can be every bit as sweet, cute, and playful as their younger counterparts, while also possessing the wisdom of years and a calming nature, Hansberry said.

Visit a local shelter or check out the Shelter Pet Project online (theshelterpetproject.org) to search for local available animals looking for a loving home to live out their golden years.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. For 60 years, it has celebrated the protection of all animals and confronted all forms of cruelty. HSUS is the nation’s largest provider of hands-on services for animals, caring for more than 100,000 animals each year, and prevents cruelty to millions more through its advocacy campaigns.