I begin with this serious reminder: bringing dogs to the Oak Bluffs Fireworks is a very bad idea. Please leave your furry friends at home, safe and sound. Also worth mentioning that beginning this year, with the exception of Sunday’s Dog Show, the Ag Fair will not allow dogs. The Agricultural Society’s board of trustees voted on the no dog policy for the safety of animals and fairgoers because of increases in the number of dogs brought to the fair and dog-related incidents.

The shelter building has been receiving quite a bit of much needed attention! The community has stepped up in a big way, as always.

Vineyard Sound Sails has once again provided our very large dog pen with an equally large and wonderfully colorful awning. Great thanks to Nina and her crew.

Meet Lily, a four-year-old yellow Lab. — Alison L. Mead

Tom O’Brien and his Fine Home Builders have been transforming our humble lodgings, restoring the shingles and trim of the eastern exposure to its original luster, and replacing older doors and windows with beautiful, energy efficient portals.

Sherry Sidoti and the yogis from Fly Yoga School showed up at the suggestion of classmate Kassy Beeler. This fabulous team worked very hard to rejuvenate our gardens and then came inside to share love and positive energy with our fuzzy residents. Namaste.

Lily, a four-year-old spayed female yellow Lab has joined us, anxiously awaiting her forever home. Other than an aversion to cats, she is as friendly as a dog could be. Lily has a torn ligament in her hind leg and will receive corrective surgery next week. The operation will be funded by her previous owners and donations to the shelter via the Susie Fund. Her new owner will be responsible for her rehabilitation. With this dog, all you will need is a truck and a fishing pole to make your Island persona complete. She’s a real keeper.

The countdown begins for Polly. Our two-year-old ginger and white, double-pawed feline beauty is exhibiting nesting tendencies in preparation for the blessed event.

Scotty is an adorable five-week-old male kitten, not old enough for adoption, but old enough for visitors.

Toby the Ragdoll cat is free to a good home. — Alison L. Mead

Toby the Ragdoll cat remains, waiting for his forever home. If you’ve ever been to the Art Institute of Chicago, this regal feline will remind you of the lions, patiently guarding eternal, always at the ready to have his belly rubbed. Please come visit us. The donation fee has been waived for this nine-year-old gentleman.

The six-year-old Gump brothers, Bubba and Forrest, are happy, healthy black cats with lots of love to give. These indoor/outdoor cats would certainly provide great assistance with rodent removal.

Nike, our four-year-old male, is ginger and white, and his personality is contagious. He has the swagger of a celebrity and his great-great-grandfather was rumored to have sat for the painting Cats Playing Poker.

Our old pal Milo continues to make himself very comfortable by napping, eating, and wandering the garden, his retirement in full swing. It is our honor and pleasure to host him as long as he would like.

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.