The animal shelter wishes to once again express thanks to Elliot, the little girl who donated the proceeds of her jewelry making enterprise to the shelter. For her generosity she was rewarded with the adoption of Robert, the brown male guinea pig with the ruby red eyes. He is about to be a mountain man, moving with Elliot and her family to Colorado at the end of their vacation. Two other young people, Olivia and Sage, set up a body art business and gave temporary tattoos to their clients. The $31.00 they made they gave to the shelter. We thank them as well.

The two feral kittens that Missy and her daughter, Tayla, worked so hard to domesticate have been taken home by them. We all observed the improvement in these animals under the tender care of these two kind women. It gladdens the heart to know the kittens have a permanent home.

Two tiny kittens, about two weeks old, were rescued from the side of a road in West Tisbury and brought to the shelter by a man on a motorcycle. Since the staff was so busy at the time he arrived with them, no one ever got his name. If he reads this we would like him to know that the little ones are thriving, being bottle-fed by Lisa, our director, around the clock. They were in bad shape, covered with fleas and maggots when they arrived. Had he not rescued them, these kittens would not have survived much longer. High fives to their anonymous benefactor!

An adult Maine coon cat has been turned in to us. She is a beautiful tri-color with a loving and friendly disposition. She is, however, terrified of dogs which was the reason she was surrendered, her previous owners also having a dog in residence. Our shy calico girl, Cody, remains in the cat room waiting for someone to provide her a home.

On to the canine news. Buddy, the stray found in Oak Bluffs, has left the shelter for a place he can call his own. The animal shelter has indirectly benefited from the sad death of Lucy, a terrier/retriever mix who lived to the great age of 14. Her heartbroken owners wanted to bury her on their property which they had rented out. Not only did those nice renters grant permission to do so, but they made a generous donation to the shelter, matched by Lucy’s owners. Thanks to all of you, especially to Lucy in whose name these gifts were made.

Just today two of our eight kittens have been adopted. We welcome visitors who come to cuddle these babies whether or not they take one home.

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.