The animal shelter welcomed a passel of new arrivals this week. Some of these dear creatures are homeless due to the Island’s persistent housing problem. Those fortunate Islanders who have a permanent place to live and an empty place in their heart for an animal might like to fill it with Audrey, the sweetest lab cross you have ever met. She is an A+ dog with no aggressive tendencies, no separation anxiety, and is healthy at eight years. She is house trained and not a barker, just a lover. There are also three seven-year-old Lhasa Apso sisters who are remaining with their owner as long as possible. They will be transferred here when the owner is forced to move. Call Lisa at the shelter, 508-627-8662, for more information.

Last week a beautiful cat named Sandra Dee was brought to us. Coincidentally, our vet was on the premises and she pronounced this new arrival a young “torby,” a tortoiseshell tabby. Sandra has a placid demeanor and will make a fine house pet. After she was checked in, a long-haired black and white male also arrived. Poor thing—she came in dreadful condition—so neglected that she was a mess of mats. Thank you, Rebecca, for taking on the unenviable task of grooming her. She was thought to be a male at first, but he was actually a she, about 12 years old. Once the mats were removed the truth was revealed.

Those at the shelter are so grateful for the people willing to provide our senior citizens a lap and a roof. Just last week Cricket, an 18-year-old cat with only three legs, left for a new home. Skipper, the bereft kitty still mourning his deceased owner, was returned to us. We would love a cheerful, patient person to claim him and jolly him up. One of our volunteers assures us he is capable of enjoying life with a loving owner.

Two kittens remain from the litter of five we had last week. They are about eight weeks old now, two females, one black and one with markings like a Bengal kitty. The younger generation is further represented by two eight- or nine-week-old males who came to us with their teenage mother, Rosie. Given the predominant color combination in our cat room these days, all of them are black and white.

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 or visit animalshelterofmv.org.