Louis L. Doe Home and Pet Center, a family-owned and operated business in Newcastle, is seeking donations for the Hungry Animal Fund.
The store, known locally as Louis Doe’s or simply Doe’s, started the Fund in the winter of 2009-2010 after the abandonment of a litter of kittens on Biscay Road in Damariscotta. “Evidently, [the owners] couldn’t feed the cats,” co-owner Judy Doe said.
Someone caught one of the kittens and, as of press time, “Truck,” described by pet center manager Kate Erkman as “feral,” patiently awaits adoption at Louis Doe’s. Some of Truck’s siblings remain at large, but one died of starvation.
Shortly after Truck’s arrival, the store set up donation buckets and the Hungry Animal Fund was born. “Customers donate money and we provide food for people who can’t feed their animals,” Doe said.
Louis Doe’s uses the donations to cover the wholesale cost of the donated pet food. “If people can ask for food, they won’t go and dump these animals,” Doe said, explaining the business’ motivation.
This year, since October, donations total 2028 pounds – over a ton – of pet food. Pet owners travel from “as far away as Friendship” to pick up food, Doe said.
“Mostly it’s dogs and cats,” Doe said, but the program has also fed birds, ferrets and rabbits.
“Times are very hard right now,” Doe said. “I can’t stand to think of an animal having to go hungry.”
After a winter of heavy use, however, the strain on the fund is evident. “The fund is getting low and there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of people who need help,” Doe said.
To donate, simply visit Louis L. Doe Home and Pet Center at 92 Mills Rd. in Newcastle or mail a donation to the Hungry Animal Fund, c/o Louis L. Doe Home and Pet Center, P.O. Box 273, Newcastle, 04553.
To request assistance from the Hungry Animal Fund, “ask in the pet department,” Doe said. The store asks for the pet owner’s town of residence, but doesn’t require any further information.
