A special thanks to the AmeriCorps volunteers who visited the shelter on Saturday, cleaning, weeding, mowing and getting us ready for the upcoming season. Thank you!

The orange kittens are growing like weeds and are attempting to explore every corner of the shelter. Foxy, a 2-year-old Maine coon female, has become quite sociable. Cody is shy but is the sweetest 10-year-old female, looking to become someone’s best friend. We are waiving the adoption fee for her. Our newest addition to the adoption room is Quitsa. He is a 2-year-old male and a very gentle cat awaiting a forever home.

Our lobby at the shelter has become a concert hall, with six adorable guinea pigs waiting for loving homes. The girls are Lucy, Ethel, Trixie and Alice, and the boys are Mr.Robert Marley and mighty Ed — the sire of them all. They joyfully serenade us with happy squeaks. The guinea pigs are easily cared for and cheerful companions. Come see them.

The staff at the Martha’s Vineyard Animal Shelter often receive comments from Islanders saying that we do not have any dogs to adopt. Pet owners can be reluctant to surrender their animals, worrying about the possibility of their pets suffering from separation anxiety and loneliness without a real home to live in. Lisa Hayes, the shelter manager, tries to find alternative owners after meeting both the pet and the new potential adopter. People interested in adopting can always come to the shelter where you can fill out a form requesting to be informed of any available animals of the certain sex and size range you prefer.

Shelter hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The shelter is closed Sunday and Monday. The telephone number is 508-627-8662. Contributions are always gratefully accepted; the shelter is funded solely by donations. Please make checks out to The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard; the mailing address is P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539.