By Larissa Moore, GHS Intern

The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland strives to help as many homeless and displaced animals as possible. They provide a home for pets in need, build animal and human connections, and support animal wellness. They wouldn’t be able to achieve their success without all of their hardworking volunteers.
Thirty-six of the ARLGP’s volunteers and 19 of their fosters come from the town of Gorham.

Terri Harmon, a Gorham resident, has been volunteering for rescue animals for over two years. She started her journey with the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. Then she eventually took the opportunity to join the ARLGP’s volunteering team as well.

Today, Harmon continues to work as a picker in the paddocks for the MSSPA, and a kennel cleaner at the ARLGP. She is proud to be a part of the Animal Refuge League, and their dedication to “helping ALL small companion animals mend their health and their hearts.”

Her love for animals stems from her childhood, where she used to help care for stray cats around her neighborhood. To this day she gives back to animals, and treats them how they deserve to be treated.

Two more ARLGP volunteers from Gorham, Sarah and Anna Faatz, work with the kittens at the shelter. They enjoy feeding the cats and doing whatever they can to nurture the young kittens.

On top of this, Anna Faatz aspires to be a veterinarian one day, and her volunteering at the ARLGP provides her with experience around her future career environment.
This mother-and-daughter duo say, “It’s important to us that animals who haven’t yet found their permanent homes have a safe, comfortable, and caring place to stay in the meantime.”

Overall, people of any background have a place at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. Terri Harmon emphasizes,“There are SO MANY volunteer roles to be filled at the ARLGP! Be curious.” The ARLGP can never have enough volunteers, and any kind of donations can benefit the shelter, and the wellbeing of animals within it.