Sue, tell us about the Marblehead Animal Shelter and the types of pets you help find forever homes. The Marblehead Animal Shelter has been caring for homeless animals for over 30 years. The Friends of Marblehead’s Abandoned Animals (F.O.M.A.A.) is the 501c3 all-volunteer organization that staffs the cleaning, feeding and adoption shifts and fundraises to support the care of the shelter animals. The vast majority of pets that are rescued are cats. However, there are times when a dog needs to be re-homed or every once in a while, a rabbit, hamster or bird will be surrendered.
How can the community help support the Marblehead Animal Shelter? There’s always been strong support from our community, which includes Marblehead, the surrounding towns and the people who adopt from the Marblehead Animal Shelter, who live outside the Northshore. The easiest way to help is to share our social media posts (Facebook, Instagram) to help our shelter residents gain more views and to attend or spread the word about our events.
In the colder months, donations of towels, facecloths and pillowcases are appreciated; in the warmer months we usually have more than enough. If someone has a few hours a week to volunteer their time, they can fill out a volunteer application online or stop by during adoption hours. Additionally, there are times when foster homes are needed – especially in the Spring, there are mother cats with litters of kittens that need a couple of months. If someone has a quiet space in their home, and can make sure the kittens are gaining weight while nursing & then eating on their own, this is extremely helpful to keep the new family healthy until they are old enough to get adopted. Food & litter can be provided for fostering.
Donations to pay for veterinary care, food and litter, can be made via the website at marblehead-animal-shelter.org or by dropping off a check (payable to F.O.M.A.A.) at 44 Village St.
What is your role with the Shelter, and how did you get involved? I’m a volunteer that covers a feeding shift one morning a week, an adoption shift one day a month and I work with a small team on planning events/fundraisers. When I first started volunteering, I worked a couple of cleaning shifts a week. I signed up to volunteer in March 2000 when I was looking for an opportunity to do volunteering or interning at a local animal hospital and they directed me to check with the Marblehead Animal Shelter. I’ve been volunteering ever since.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned since working with the Animal Shelter? Volunteering at the shelter has provided me the opportunity to help make a difference by helping to care for homeless pets, which in turn, helps people. People contact the shelter, inquiring about adoption, as well as surrendering and helping injured animals. the shelter volunteers are involved daily with the community and animal control personnel. I’ve made long lasting friendships, which have made Marblehead a home for more than 25 years.
What do you love most about Marblehead and its community? There is an abundance of people willing to pitch-in and assist, when you ask. The network of friendships and supporters is what is at the core of a community and this community truly is the reason we can find help to save so many local animals.
Marblehead Animal Shelter
Sue MacInnis, Volunteer
44 Village St, Marblehead
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