[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14069]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


    100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ANIMAL REFUGE LEAGUE IN PORTLAND, MAINE

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                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2011

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, in 1911, the Animal Refuge League 
in Portland, Maine was incorporated and in 1956, former Maine Governor 
Percival Baxter helped fund and establish the League's new location on 
Stroudwater Street in Westbrook, Maine. Each year, the Animal Refuge 
League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) rescues and places more than 4,000 
dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, gerbils and other animals all around Maine 
each year. The dedicated staff and volunteers nurture wounded, 
neglected and abandoned animals so they can be placed in loving homes. 
The organization has an impressive 92 percent placement rate for cats 
and dogs, which is among the highest in the country.
  This year, the Animal Refuge League marks its one hundredth 
anniversary. In addition to fulfilling its original mission to provide 
temporary care and permanent shelter for stray, abandoned and 
relinquished animals, the ARLGP is also developing innovative programs 
to meet the needs of Maine communities in new ways.
  Through Paws in Stripes, the ARLGP maintains a working relationship 
with Maine Correctional Center in Windham whereby the prisoners play a 
major role in the socialization of select puppies from the shelter. A 
new Seniors to Seniors program matches senior citizens with senior 
cats, and the ongoing foster program works with families to provide 
temporary homes to animals who need time, rest, recuperation, medical 
care or socialization before they are ready for adoption. Humane 
Education is a program that teaches children of all ages respect for 
all living things.
  As someone who spent years working as an organic farmer, I have a 
deep appreciation for the many roles that animals play in all our 
lives. Today, I am happy to celebrate the ALRGP's one hundred years of 
successful work rescuing animals. Congratulations, and thank you for 
the work that you do.

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