Skip to content

Free help finding care and support for your pet

Pet Care Help in Maine

Sharing this page? Short link: helpmypet.us/me · Text it · Handout & 211 kit

← All states

Vet care, help with vet bills, spay/neuter, pet food, crisis care, shelters and end-of-life support across Maine. 109 programs in 43 Maine towns, each checked on the organization’s own website in October 2026. Includes programs shared by 211 Maine. Programs change often, so call or check their page before you go.

For 211 specialists, caseworkers and shelter staff

This page is built to stay open in a tab during a call. Each program links to its own page with hours, who qualifies, how to get help and a tap-to-call number, all checked on the program’s website.

Jump to: Emergency and 24-hour care (7) · Help paying a vet bill (8) · Lower-cost vet care (7) · Spay and neuter (13) · Community cats and TNR (9) · Pet food (26) · Help in a crisis (5) · Shelters and rescues (11) · End of life and pet loss (14) · Specialists and referral hospitals (3) · Find a vet and other help (6)

Emergency and 24-hour care 7

For a pet in crisis. Call ahead if you can, and tell them up front if cost is a problem.

Southern Maine

Midcoast

Central Maine

  • Atlas Veterinary Urgent Care
    Augusta · Same-day urgent care for pets in Augusta, by appointment; not a 24-hour hospital, but it can stabilize pets for transfer.
    Mon-Fri 12 pm-8 pm; Sat 10 am-8 pm; Sun 10 am-6 pm; select holidays · 207-621-2287

Western Maine

Bangor and Northern Maine

  • Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic (EMEVC)
    Holden · Walk-in emergency clinic in Holden (formerly Brewer) serving the Bangor area and northern Maine after hours and around the clock Friday to Monday.
    Tue-Thu 5:30 pm-8:00 am; Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 24 hours · (207) 989-6267
  • Aroostook Animal Emergency Services
    Mars Hill · Northernmost animal emergency hospital in Maine, giving after-hours care to dogs, cats and small mammals in Aroostook County; limited evening/weekend hours.
    Initial hours: Thu and Fri 4 pm-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun 4 pm-midnight · 207-531-4905

Help paying a vet bill 8

Funds and programs that help with the cost of care. Most have rules about income, location or the kind of care.

Statewide and nearby

  • Mainely Pets Foundation
    Statewide (Maine residents) · Volunteer-run Maine charity, founded by Falmouth Veterinary Hospital, that helps Maine pet owners in financial need or crisis with sick or injured pet care, covering up to 50% of a bill (max $500), with need screened through a CareCredit or similar credit application.
    (207) 781-4028
  • Midcoast Humane Pet Help (food, vet bills, spay/neuter)
    People in Midcoast Humane's contracted towns; low or fixed income for spay/neuter and vet help; limited funding. · Midcoast pet owners in covered towns can get free pet food, plus help with spay/neuter and urgent vet bills.
    Not stated on page; wellness clinics monthly March-December · (207) 449-1366
  • Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue - The Sierra Fund
    North Yarmouth · Helps Maine owners of senior dogs (about 7 and older) pay for vet visits, follow-ups and medications; income limit applies.
    207-829-3943
  • Old Dogs New Digs - Community Assistance Program
    Maine and Colorado residents · All-volunteer group in Maine that helps pay a vet directly for procedures, hospital stays or medicine for dogs and cats 7 and older.
  • RedRover Relief - Urgent Care Grants
    National (serves Maine) · National grants for pets in life-threatening situations when the household can't afford urgent care; one grant per household.
    Application open Monday 9 am PT to Friday 4 pm PT each week
  • Frankie's Friends - National Frankie's Friends Fund
    National (serves Maine) · National grants of up to $2,000 per pet for lifesaving emergency or specialty vet care for family pets.

Midcoast

Bangor and Northern Maine

Lower-cost vet care 7

Nonprofit and low-cost clinics for checkups, vaccines and minor problems.

Statewide and nearby

  • Maine Animal Health Alliance
    Augusta / central Maine · Independent nonprofit clinic offering affordable spay/neuter and Monday wellness exams ($50) for check-ups and non-urgent illness in cats and dogs, with no eligibility requirements; vouchers and discounts are available at times.
    (207) 480-1001

Southern Maine

Midcoast

  • Midcoast Humane - Low-Cost Wellness Clinics
    Brunswick · Pop-up wellness and vaccine clinics for dogs and cats held around Midcoast Humane's 39 communities, with a vet exam included when you buy a service.
    Several times a year; check the events calendar

Western Maine

Bangor and Northern Maine

Spay and neuter 13

Low-cost surgery and voucher programs.

Statewide and nearby

Southern Maine

  • ARLGP Spay/Neuter Program
    Greater Portland (Westbrook) · Low-cost spay/neuter for cats and dogs for income-qualifying pet owners (on public assistance such as MaineCare, SSDI or unemployment, or under household income limits), with a 'Spay It Forward' option for those who don't qualify.
    (207) 854-9771
  • Animal Welfare Society - Mother Spay Program
    West Kennebunk · If your dog or cat has an unexpected litter, AWS spays the mother free at its Kennebunk clinic once the litter is 8-10 weeks old, when you admit the puppies or kittens to AWS for adoption; mom goes home the same day.

Midcoast

Central Maine

  • Friends of Animals - Spay/Neuter Certificates at Maine Animal Health Alliance
    Augusta · National nonprofit's spay/neuter certificate program, which in 2025 added Maine Animal Health Alliance in Augusta and gave free certificates first-come to residents in need within 25 miles (dogs under 50 lbs); call to ask if certificates are still available.
    Phone Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm Eastern.
  • Somerset Pet Welfare Alliance - Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance Waitlist
    Skowhegan · Covers part of the cost of spaying or neutering cats and dogs for Somerset County-area owners who can't afford the full price (not limited to low-income), coordinates the appointment and runs clinics; there is a waiting list and funding fills quickly.

Western Maine

Bangor and Northern Maine

Community cats and TNR 9

Help for people caring for stray or feral cats: trapping, low-cost spay/neuter and return.

Southern Maine

Midcoast

Central Maine

Western Maine

  • Community Cat Advocates - TNR Help
    Lewiston-Auburn area (call to confirm your town) · Maine nonprofit that helps neighbors safely trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate and return stray and feral cats (TNR); listed by Greater Androscoggin Humane Society as a group working in its area.
  • Tommy's Feral Feline Friends
    Greene · Small donation-funded no-kill shelter for feral cats based in Greene; Maine Humane describes it as offering TNR and colony-care help in central Maine, so contact it to ask what help is available.

Down East

Bangor and Northern Maine

  • Cat Life Maine - TNR and Colony Care Waitlist
    Bangor · Volunteer TNR group in the Bangor area that assesses colonies, traps, spays/neuters, vaccinates and microchips community cats, then keeps supporting caretakers with food, supplies and vacation coverage; help depends on trap and clinic space.
    Volunteer-run; meetings by appointment.

Pet food 26

Pet food pantries, plus community food pantries that carry pet food. Some only have pet food when donations come in, so call first.

Statewide and nearby

  • SeniorsPlus Meals on Wheels Call to confirm pet food
    Adults 60+ who are homebound or unable to cook, and people with disabilities; based on need, not income (Androscoggin, Franklin, Oxford counties). · Homebound older adults and adults with disabilities in western Maine can get home-delivered meals; ask whether pet food is included.
    Not stated on page · (207) 795-4010
  • Spectrum Generations Meals on Wheels (AniMeals) Call to confirm pet food
    Homebound adults 60+ or people with a disability who can't prepare meals; Maine-ly Delivered Meals for some MaineCare waiver members. · Homebound older adults and adults with disabilities in central and midcoast Maine can get delivered meals; ask about AniMeals pet food.
    Not stated on page
  • Maine Humane - Pet Food Pantry Program
    Statewide (all 16 Maine counties) · Statewide network that sends donated dog and cat food to 60+ local pantries, shelters and food banks in all 16 counties; food is a temporary bridge, not a full monthly supply.
    (207) 200-8059
Southern Maine 12
  • ARLGP Pet Food Pantry
    Greater Portland (Westbrook) · Temporary pet food help for households in need: register once online, then submit an order form each time, for pickup Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday, 3-5pm, at the Westbrook shelter.
    (207) 854-9771
  • Pittie Posse Rescue - Pet Pantry
    Southern Maine · Free dog and cat food, treats, toys, cat litter and puppy pads for families in need in Southern Maine, to keep pets out of shelters; distributed monthly.
    Monthly distributions.
  • First County Food Pantry (York County) Call to confirm pet food
    Alfred · York County families can get free groceries on Tuesdays and Fridays in Alfred; pet food is not listed on the site, so ask first.
    Tuesday and Friday 11am-3pm · (207) 459-2232
  • Harrison Food Bank
    Harrison · Western Maine families can get free groceries plus pet food and supplies from the Paws of Hope Pet Pantry at Tuesday drive-thru.
    Tuesdays noon-6pm drive-thru (Wednesday if Harrison schools close; footer shows Tue 3-6pm) · (207) 647-3384
  • Community Outreach Services Food Pantry (Kennebunk) Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · Arundel, Kennebunk and Kennebunkport families can register to shop a free market-style food pantry; ask about pet food.
    Mon 12-2pm; Tue 3-7pm; Thu 3-5pm; Fri 9am-12pm; Wed closed (subject to change) · (207) 985-3844
  • Footprints Food Pantry (Phinn's Pet Food Pantry)
    Kennebunk · Anyone in the Kittery area can shop for free groceries and get pet food from Phinn's Pet Food Pantry, with home delivery available.
    Mon 9-11am; Tue 10am-1pm and 5-7pm; Wed 2-6pm; Thu 10:30am-1:30pm; Fri 10am-1pm · (207) 439-4673
  • Gather to Grow Food Pantry (formerly St. Mary's Food Pantry) Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · Lewiston-Auburn families can get free food at the Gather to Grow pantry (formerly St. Mary's) on Bates Street; ask about pet food.
    Not stated on page · (207) 513-3841
  • Leeds Community Church Food Pantry Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · Leeds families can get free food twice a month at the church; pet food may be available, so ask.
    1st and 3rd Thursdays, 12-1:30pm and 5-6pm · (207) 524-5444
  • Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry (Sabattus) Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · Sabattus-area residents can get free groceries three mornings a week; ask whether pet food is available.
    Mon 9:30-10:30am; Tue 9-10am; Wed 9-10am · (207) 375-8399
  • Scarborough Food Pantry Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · Scarborough-area families can choose free food twice a week; ask about pet food.
    Tuesday and Thursday 1:30-4pm · (207) 883-2342
  • York Community Service Association Food Pantry Call to confirm pet food
    Kennebunk · York families can order free groceries by calling or emailing a list ahead, with delivery if needed; ask about pet food.
    Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1pm · (207) 363-5504
  • The Corner Cupboard
    Sanford · Anyone in need can get free household basics and pet food in Sanford once a month.
    3rd Saturday of each month, 10am-12pm · (207) 324-3191
Midcoast 3
Central Maine 2
Western Maine 2
  • Care and Share Food Closet Call to confirm pet food
    Farmington · Greater Farmington families can get a few days of free food once a month; pet food is not listed on the site, so ask when you visit.
    Mon-Fri 12-2pm; Sat 8:30-11am; Tue 8:30-11am extra produce/bread pickup · (207) 778-0508
  • Greater Androscoggin Humane Society
    Lewiston · Lewiston-Auburn area pet owners can pick up free pet food and litter for up to 3 pets on Tuesday mornings.
    Pet pantry: Tuesdays 9-11am (shelter hours Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 11am-5pm; Sat 11am-4pm) · (207) 783-2311
Down East 2
Bangor and Northern Maine 2

Help in a crisis 5

Temporary care for pets during a hospital stay, housing loss or leaving an abusive home.

Statewide and nearby

  • RedRover Relief - Domestic Violence Safe Escape Grants
    Statewide (national program) · National grant usable in Maine that pays for up to 45 days of pet boarding (up to $40 per pet per day, usually 3 or fewer pets) plus needed vaccines while a survivor stays in a domestic violence shelter.
    Responds within one business day to advocate applications.

Southern Maine

  • Animal Welfare Society Stay@Home
    Kennebunk · York County pet owners in a hard spot can get pet food through partner pantries, temporary emergency pet boarding, and lower-cost vet care.
    Not stated on page

Midcoast

Down East

Shelters and rescues 11

Local shelters and rescues, and the help each one offers pet owners.

Southern Maine

  • HART of Maine (Homeless Animal Rescue Team) - Cat Surrender Waitlist
    Cumberland · No-kill cat shelter in Cumberland that takes surrendered cats case by case from a waitlist (about 4-6 weeks now) and points owners to rehoming services; a surrender fee applies. It does not list food or medical help for owners.
    Phone replies within about 72 hours; online within 48 hours. · (207) 829-4116
  • Finally Home Senior Dog Rescue - Intake for Senior Dogs Paused
    North Yarmouth · Senior dog sanctuary that takes in dogs about 7+ from Maine owners who can no longer care for them (for example due to illness or age) and keeps them for life; intake is closed while they are full.

Central Maine

  • Kennebec Valley Humane Society
    Augusta · Augusta-area animal shelter that takes owner surrenders and adopts out pets; its menu lists a "Kibbles to Cupboards" pet food program but the page has no details, so call to ask about food help.
    Mon-Tue 12-4, Thu-Fri 11-4, Sat 10-4, Sun 11-4; closed Wednesday. Call ahead for walk-in appointments. · (207) 626-3491
  • Charley's Strays Waitlist
    Benton · Small no-kill dog shelter in Benton that houses homeless dogs until adopted; usually full with a waiting list for space, so owners needing to rehome a dog should call well ahead. No owner food or vet help is listed.
    Not a walk-in shelter; call or email first. · (207) 426-9482
  • Humane Society Waterville Area - Last Litter, Alternatives to Surrender and Microchips
    Waterville · Waterville shelter whose Pet Owner Resources section offers a Last Litter program, help with alternatives to surrendering your pet, microchipping by appointment, and owner surrender when needed (its pet food pantry is listed separately).
    Tue-Fri 12-4:30 pm; Sat 10 am-4:30 pm. · (207) 873-2430

Western Maine

Down East

Bangor and Northern Maine

  • Central Aroostook Humane Society
    Presque Isle · Animal shelter in Presque Isle that takes in stray and surrendered dogs and cats for central Aroostook towns; its website lists adoption and intake only, so call to ask what owner help is available.
    (207) 764-3441

End of life and pet loss 14

In-home euthanasia, hospice, aftercare and grief support.

Statewide and nearby

Southern Maine

  • Vet At Your Door - In-Home Euthanasia
    Portland to Waterville, Biddeford to Sanford, Lewiston-Auburn, Bath-Brunswick, Farmington/Rangeley area · Mobile vets offering in-home euthanasia, quality-of-life visits and aftercare across much of southern and central Maine plus parts of Franklin County.
    Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm; extended euthanasia hours some evenings and weekends · (207) 536-8387
  • Angel Fund of Maine
    Biddeford · Nonprofit that helps pet owners facing financial hardship pay for end-of-life care and aftercare.
  • Haven Veterinary Hospice and Senior Care
    Biddeford · Certified hospice vet offering in-home hospice, quality-of-life consults and euthanasia for pets in southern Maine.
    Appointments seven days a week, including evenings · 207-361-7145
  • Tranquil Waters Aquamation
    Biddeford · Water-based (flameless) pet cremation in Biddeford with private or communal options and pickup from home or your vet.
    Visits by appointment only · (207) 815-2512
  • Animal Welfare Society - End of Life Care
    Kennebunk · Shelter clinic in Kennebunk offering cost-effective pet cremation and, case by case, in-clinic euthanasia.
    (207) 292-2424
  • Benson Brook Pet Cremation
    Parsonsfield · Family-owned pet crematory in Parsonsfield for dogs, cats and many small animals, with pickup and delivery on request.
    (207) 608-2280
  • Lap of Love - Portland, ME
    Portland · In-home euthanasia, hospice and telehospice for dogs, cats and some exotic pets in Portland and nearby towns.
    Care coordinators answer 24/7; vet visits scheduled through the week · (207) 553-3776

Midcoast

Central Maine

  • Fluke's Aftercare
    Litchfield · Family-run pet cremation service in Litchfield offering private cremation with pickup from your home or vet's office.
    Same-day service with advance notice

Western Maine

Specialists and referral hospitals 3

For surgery, cancer care, neurology and other specialist care, usually by referral from your vet.

Statewide and nearby

Southern Maine

Find a vet and other help 6

Directories and state programs.

Statewide and nearby

Programs marked Waitlist or Paused said so on their own websites when we checked. For options that work anywhere in the U.S., see Find Veterinary Care and Paying for Care.

Know of a program in Maine we should add, or see something out of date? Suggest or correct a listing.

Thank you to 211 Maine for sharing its list of Maine pet food programs. Every listing was checked on the program’s own website before it was added.

Share this page

Sharing this with someone? The short link is helpmypet.us/me, easy to say on the phone.

Text this to someone Printable handout 211 & caseworker kit