For a cuteness fix stop by the animal shelter. Hearts melt on seeing the kittens, the guinea pigs and the sweet Parson Russell terrier now in residence. Usually found carrying his tennis ball around, Jack is a small brown and white guy who was a stray found in West Tisbury. He is house trained, friendly, and can do tricks. Jack is a gem, sure to brighten the life of a new owner. The shelter has had him neutered, vaccinated and chipped in preparation for his new home. We hope the perfect owner will arrive to adopt him soon.

A steady stream of children have been coming by recently to cuddle the guinea pigs. We currently have three of these perfect pets. Two of them are slated to be classroom companions come September, but one female, brown with ruby eyes, needs a hay bale of her own. These are easy care animals. A few carrots, some lettuce and a clean cage twice a week will satisfy their basic needs. An added plus is a warm human lap and a gentle stroking from time to time.

Three adult cats and four kittens occupy the cat quarters. They, too, love to have visitors who will play with them. Two of the kittens are four months, a gray male and a calico female. A tortoiseshell and a calico kitten, both female, would make good barn cats. Then there is Cody, a very shy female who needs to be an only cat. Recent arrivals, a large black neutered male found in West Tisbury and a surrendered older calico female, are also looking for forever homes. None of the kittens have been spayed or neutered, but can be adopted with the payment of a deposit to be refunded when the new owner has these procedures done.

A gold star on the animal shelter’s walk of fame goes to Emilie Newsome, a talented young musician who played her violin on the street in Edgartown and donated her earnings, over a thousand dollars, to the shelter. Vineyard Vines has offered to add an additional $500 to that significant amount. This is the third year Emilie has been a street musician for the animals, earning over $3,000 in total. Considering that she is only going into seventh grade, that is an amazing record. High fives and gratitude to Emilie from all our residents and their caretakers.

To the man who took our two gas cans, one full of a gas and oil mixture used for the lawn mower and one nearly empty, please return the cans. You are welcome to the contents, but the cans are needed here. You asked to use them to fill your empty tank and were told you could “borrow” them. We will receive them with gratitude. He asked staff if he had any extra gasoline as his car was dry. He took a gas can with a small amount in it and a full can with the gas and oil mixture that we use for the lawn mower. He never returned those cans. We need them back. No questions asked.

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.