Our Mission
The purposes of the Houlton Humane Society are to prevent cruelty and to encourage and educate humane treatment towards animals. The shelter strives to aid and comfort strayed, neglected, and abandoned companion animals. The shelter provides, without profit, care, treatment, food, and shelter to all the animals in the facility. Our commitment to these animals is to provide, protect and promise to keep them safe until their permanent home is found.
How do I find out which shelter my town contracts with?
You can call your town office to find out which shelter your town contracts with. Currently, our shelter services the following towns: Amity, Dyer Brook, Glenwood, Hammond, Haynesville, Hersey, Houlton, Linneus, Littleton, Macwahoc, Monticello, Moro, New Limerick, Orient, Patten, Reed Plt, and Weston.
Monthly/yearly shelter report
january shelter report
Our Values:
Care and safety for all animals.
Humane treatment of all animals.
Respect and understanding of animals and their owners.
Our Impact
Houlton Humane Society strives to help pet owners and their pets by offering rabies clinics and spay and neuter clinics multiple times throughout the year. This in turn helps impact the health and safety of pets and their owners as well as help keep the population under control.
animals received in 2021: 260
to date 2022: 21
animals spayed / neutered in 2021: 372
vaccines administered in 2021: 260
Animals returned to their homes in 2021: 50
To Date 2022: 8
animals adopted in 2021: 96
to date 2022: 8
volunteer hours in 2021: 2950
Shelter Staff & Volunteers
SHELTER MANAGER: CATHERINE “Cj” VIRGIE
Born and raised in Cary, ME and graduated from Hodgdon high school. Have been an advocate for animal care since a teenager. Was the animal control officer for 10 coastal towns while living in Thomaston, ME. Moved back to the area in 2009 to take care of my mother. Started spay /neuter clinics with the help of Sue Hall for the public in 2014. Hired as shelter manager for the Houlton Humane Society in 2016. I have continued running spay/neuter clinics and rabies vaccine clinics with the help of local and visiting vets.
STAFF: DANIELLE DOIRON
STAFF:AUSTIN COTIER
STAFF:KYLE WHITE
STAFF: KALEA MAY COOMBS
VOLUNTEER: CHERYL GRANT
STAFF: KAELYN COOK
VOLUNTEER:
VOLUNTEER: ROBERT “BOB” MCGUIRE
VOLUNTEER: SHIRLEY OLIVER
REMOTE VOLUNTEER: MIKA SATO
VOLUNTEER: NANCY WELTON
VOLUNTEER: A.J. THORN
VOLUNTEER:
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Board Members
PRESIDENT: BART VIRGIE
Born and raised in Houlton, attended Houlton high school and graduated from the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
Joined the Houlton Humane Society’s Board of Directors in 2016. The board members actively assist with fundraising, maintaining facility and promoting the good works of the shelter.
VICE PRESIDENT: DON DEE
Cable television technician, 40 years
Past owner, Mattawamkeag Cablevision, 27 years
Past President, current member of Northern Maine Board Of Approved Baseball Umpires, 33 years
Current board member of Houlton Area Little League
Vice President, board member Houlton Humane Society, 5 years
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Lawrence, MA, big brother, 36 years
Proud father of two grown children, one dog and one cat
SECRETARY: KENDRA KNEELAND
Born and raised in Houlton, ME with love of animals!
Attended University of Maine and Southeastern College, Lakeland FL
34 years working for the local John Deere Dealership
Past member of StarBright Children’s Theatre board.
Member of Post #47 American Legion Auxiliary since 1990
Joined the HHS board of directors in 2016 after being a volunteer
Currently Secretary
Married with Grown Son and Daughter, 2 Cats and 2 Dogs
TREASURER: LOUIS SILVESTRI
Born in NJ, raised in PA. Graduate of Pennsbury High School (PA), past owner/co owner RV sales and service (PA), sporting goods stores (PA), hunting and fishing guide (AK). Moved to Maine 1999. Worked for Hamilton Marine, Portland (ME) early 2000 until retirement in late 2018. Joined H.H.S. board of directors in July of 2019. Married to the lovely Karen Silvestri with a wonderful step-daughter, two cats and a crazy dog.
LINDA SEWELL
Married with three daughters and a grandson.
Mom to two dogs, a cat, and four birds. Retired postmaster of Island Falls. Foster parent for many cats, kittens, and dogs for Houlton Humane. Board member of Houlton Humane and Katahdin Public Library.
Been on the board for approximately 8 to 10 years and have volunteered there for approximately 12 years.
KAREN SILVESTRI
Graduate of Houlton High School and the University of Southern Maine. Have worked in the insurance industry since 1985. Currently employed full time as a Senior Case Manager for a large insurance company. Lived in southern Maine for 37 years before moving back to Houlton in 2018. Joined the board of directors in 2019. Married with a daughter, a dog and 2 cats.
NANCY CARHART
I grew up in Massachusetts and graduated from college in NH. I pursued a career in software engineering and technical writing before changing gears to become an EMT, ED med tech, and medical assistant. After retiring, I started volunteering at the shelter in the summer of 2021, helping with clinics, fundraisers, and cleaning. I joined the board in August 2021. I have been a fan of the shelter for several years and have adopted and fostered several cats. Helping with fundraising events is my favorite activity.
Kate Gott
I was Born and raised in Southern Maine but have been living in the county (currently Chapman) for ten years. Animals have always played a major part in my life. I graduated from Elmira College and currently work for DFAS as an accounting technician. I have two horses, a German shepherd, and three cats.
Jackie Lowe