The Animal Shelter has some good news and some bad news. First the good news: Michael, the reclusive big black tom, has found a home. It was love at first sight with his new owner. On meeting her he dropped his defenses and allowed her to pat him and pick him up. He will be moving to Vermont shortly. The bad news is that the owner of a sociable lab/terrier mix fell ill and had to surrender him to the shelter. Her name is Greta. She could be the stand-in for Sandy in Annie. She is a friendly, agreeable five-year-old, hale and hardy. Need to increase your exercise? Greta is the girl for you. She’s the perfect companion for those long walks. Still residing in the shelter’s canine room, Callie needs a new home with a person who is willing to train her. She is a lab/rottweiler mix, six months old. She is smart and willing and needs an owner with similar qualities.

New cats have arrived, not kittens, but still a lot of purring left in them. There is a stray the shelter named Eric after the hero in Phantom of the Opera because his markings suggest a mask over his left eye. He is a young male, age undetermined but probably two or three. At the opposite end of the age spectrum is Ethel, so small she disappears into her blankets. She is really old and is free to the kind person who is willing to provide a human lap for the twilight of her life. T.C., a 10-year-old calico girl, is also free to a new owner. Calicoes are rumoured to be long-lived so T.C. could become a bargain. We are hoping that playful and pretty Viola and cuddly-soft Genevive are taken to new homes soon. Each one has barely reached adolescence at two years old. They are spayed and have all their shots.

The shelter sends congratulations to Abby, who was adopted from the shelter a few years ago. She won a third in the beagle class at the Agricultural Fair despite the hip-hop in her get-along when she walks and runs. Her owners are dedicated shelter volunteers, 10-year-old Kaya Seiman and her mother, Gina Patti. Kaya did a fine job of showing Abby in the ring.

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.