BANGOR, Maine — It was only two months ago that the Bangor Humane Society ran out of adoptable animals for the first time in its 75-year-history.

It didn’t take long for all that empty kennel space to fill up, however, as an earlier-than-normal onset of warm weather has brought an earlier-than-usual flood of orphaned pets, especially cats and kittens.





And none of them are back from the 100 that were adopted in two days at the end of March.

“I think we only had two cats returned and they got adopted the next day after being returned,” said Stacey Coventry, public relations manager for the Bangor Humane Society.

But even after that historic weekend, the society’s kennel space didn’t remain empty for long.

“Especially once spring rolls around,” Coventry said. “Since last Monday, we’ve taken in over 150 animals. Right now, our dog kennels are full and if we have another day like last Saturday, where we took in 30 cats or kittens in an hour, that space will fill up quick, too.”

Currently, the Bangor facility has 15 dogs ready to adopt and another 20 being processed. It also has 15 adoptable kittens and 30 cats. With more arriving almost daily, the society’s receiving room is near capacity.

“It’s the time of year, and it’s starting a month early because of the weather and momma cats are having kittens,” Coventry said. “Some are strays, but most are from owners. The big problem is there are still a lot of cats and dogs that are not getting spayed or neutered, especially when it comes to cats.”

With the snow long gone, temperatures warm, and pets on the move, the opportunity for interaction with other pets increases.

“People come in with plastic totes you can get at Walmart full of kittens. Someone left a cardboard box with eight kittens in it at our door the other day,” said Coventry. “We’re reaching a saturation point with adoptable animals in our area. There are only so many potential homes left.”

The society is closed Sundays, but open noon-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. To find out more information on adopting an animal, call the Bangor Humane Society at 942-8902 or visit www.bangorhumane.org.