by The Ark Manager | Apr 17, 2025 | Ark EDU, Blog
The second full week in April is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and it’s a great time to talk about something people often misunderstand.
Dog bites can happen for a lot of reasons, but most of them come down to one thing: lack of knowledge. As much as we love dogs, many people still miss or misread the signs that a dog is upset, uncomfortable, or scared.
Sometimes, pet owners put too much trust in the idea that their dog would never bite. But even the gentlest dog has limits. Assuming otherwise isn’t just risky, it’s also unfair to the dog. Biting doesn’t usually come out of nowhere. For dogs, it’s often a last resort after other signals have been ignored.
We can all agree that no one wants to see a dog bite happen, especially when children are the most common victims. So what can we do to help prevent bites?
Thankfully, a few simple steps go a long way:
- Always supervise interactions between children and pets. Kids and dogs can’t be expected to manage these situations on their own.
- Respect that dogs are dogs. They aren’t people. They have their own needs, instincts, and ways of communicating.
We love to say dogs are part of the family, and that’s absolutely true. But they are still a different species. Living with dogs means learning to see things a little from their point of view.
There’s a lot more to explore when it comes to bite prevention, but starting with these basics can help prevent many incidents, especially at home with your own pets.
Want to learn more? These resources are a great place to start:
AVMA Dog Bite Prevention Toolkit, including a video series for kids:
ASPCA Dog Bite Prevention, including body language tips and ways to reduce risk:
ASPCA Safety Tips for Dog Bite Prevention Week, including a graphic:
by The Ark Manager | Mar 14, 2025 | Happenings at The Ark
Each holiday season, Loyal Biscuit Co. runs its “Fill Their Bowls” fundraiser, giving their community an opportunity to help shelter pets in need. Not only do they collect donations, but they also work with their vendors to stretch every dollar, ensuring local rescues receive high-quality food to nourish the animals in their care.
This year, the Brewer Loyal Biscuit Co. store selected The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter as their recipient, and thanks to their generosity, we received an incredible donation of:
🐱 24 bags of Earthborn cat food – That’s 300 lbs of nutritious cat food!
🐶 40 bags of Ultimates dog food – A whopping 1,120 lbs of meals for our dogs!
✨ Total donation: 1,420lbs of pet food! ✨
This life-saving donation will help us provide healthy meals to the animals in our care, and we couldn’t be more grateful to Loyal Biscuit Co. and their amazing customers for making it possible.
Ashleigh, Dani, and our honorary supervisor Tucker pose with the amazing donation from Loyal Biscuit Co.! Thanks to their generosity, The Ark’s shelter pets will have full bellies!
Tucker takes his quality control duties very seriously! 🐶✅ He made sure every bag of food was accounted for before it was loaded up for The Ark’s shelter pets.
❤️ Support Businesses That Support Maine Shelters!
Loyal Biscuit Co. goes above and beyond to give back to Maine shelters. We encourage you to support them! Stop by one of their locations or visit their website:
➡ Loyal Biscuit Co. Website
🐾Need a Nail Trim? Support The Ark at Loyal Biscuit Co. in Brewer!
Did you know that our Director, Dani, hosts a nail clipping clinic at Loyal Biscuit Co. in Brewer every third Saturday of the month from 10 AM to noon? 🐾
For just $10 per pet, you can get your pet’s nails trimmed, and 100% of proceeds go directly to The Ark!
📍 Next clinic: Tomorrow, March 15!
📅 Event details: Facebook Event Link
It’s an easy way to keep your pet’s paws happy while helping shelter animals!
Thank You Again, Loyal Biscuit Co.!
A huge thank you again to Loyal Biscuit Co., their generous customers, and everyone who made this donation possible!
📸 Check out the incredible donation in the photos below!
Now THAT’S a car packed with love! 🚗 A total of 1,420lbs of pet food will help feed shelter cats and dogs
Hard work calls for a little fresh air break! Tucker might be catching a sunbeam—or just basking in the joy of a job well done. ☀️🐾
Teamwork in action! Volunteers and staff load up the donation, making sure every bag of food gets to the shelter safely
by The Ark Manager | Mar 11, 2025 | Events
We’re gearing up for a fantastic summer at The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter, and we’d love for you to join us! Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to our community, these events are the perfect opportunity to celebrate, connect, and support our mission of helping animals in need.
Get ready for an unforgettable night of steel drum music, dancing, and community fun—all for a great cause! FLASH! in the Pans will be performing to benefit The Ark, helping us continue to provide care for homeless animals. Bring your dancing shoes and let’s make some noise for a good cause!
📅 Date: Monday, June 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:30 – 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Blue Hill Town Park
Stay tuned for more details, and we can’t wait to see you there! 💙🐾
It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since we opened the doors to our new shelter! As part of Cherryfield Days, we’re inviting you to an Open House to celebrate this milestone. Stop by for guided tours, fun activities, snacks, and more while learning about the impact we’ve made together.
📅 Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
📍 Location: The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter
by The Ark Manager | Mar 8, 2025 | Dogs, Dogs Pending Adoptions
Bonnie and Scarlett have never known what it’s like to be loved as family. Rescued from a heartbreaking backyard breeding situation, these two brave girls have only ever had each other. They’ve never had a real home, a soft bed, or a human who saw them as more than just property. But through it all, they’ve stayed bonded — finding comfort and strength in one another when the world felt too scary to face alone.
Bonnie is the braver of the two, often stepping forward first to explore new things, while Scarlett hangs back, watching and waiting with cautious eyes. Scarlett relies on Bonnie for reassurance — her presence calms her, gives her courage, and reminds her that she’s not alone. Because of their deep connection, they must be adopted together.
They are incredibly shy and will need a family that can offer patience, time, and gentle hands. They’ve never walked on a leash, never known the joy of toys or treats freely given, so everything will be new — and possibly overwhelming — at first. But with love and commitment, they will begin to bloom. A fenced-in yard is required, as they’ll need a safe space to explore while building trust at their own pace.
Bonnie and Scarlett are not your average adoption story. They are a promise — that love can heal, that every soul deserves safety, and that with the right person, even the most broken hearts can find peace.
Are you the one who will finally show them what home feels like?
by The Ark Manager | Mar 5, 2025 | Cats, Cats Available for Adoption
Meet Pepper – Your Next Sassy Soulmate!
Pepper is a one-of-a-kind kitty with a big personality packed into a petite frame. At just 2 years old, she’s already a master communicator—especially at mealtime, when she serenades you with the most endearing “nom nom nom” sounds. Don’t be surprised if she throws in a little hiss at her food first—Pepper’s emotions run deep and sometimes get a little tangled.
This former stray is still figuring out the world and her place in it. She can be hot and cold, sometimes grumbling or hissing while being petted—though we suspect she secretly enjoys the attention. She just likes things on her terms, and she’s not shy about letting you know.
Pepper may not be a lap cat, but she will keep you entertained with her quirky behavior, bold attitude, and endless charm. She’s funny, expressive, and full of character—and once she lets you in, she’s unforgettable.
Come meet Pepper and see if this feisty, fabulous feline is your perfect match!
