WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RPC

Responsible Pet Care is a no-kill, non-profit shelter that was established in 1997 by a small group of people who recognized the plight of unwanted cats in the Oxford Hills community.

This founding group pooled their money and purchased a very neglected piece of property on Route 118 in Norway, Maine that held two buildings. The best of the two buildings was cleaned, painted, and fitted with cages and equipment to house cats and kittens; and, the work of caring for abandoned, stray, and surrendered cats began.

This same work and dedication of caring for cats and finding new homes for them continues today in the same facility.

Little by little work is being done to improve the building and the living quarters for our cats. With donations from the community we are able to provide care to animals that would otherwise be left on their own on the streets and in the woods.

All of the money we receive directly benefits the cats in our care. We have a paid staff of caregivers. We have a volunteer board of directors. We use our funds to:

• Feed our cats
• Provide veterinary care for our cats
• Purchase medical supplies
• Purchase cleaning supplies
• Pay utility bills
• Make needed repairs on the building

Our shelter is equipped to care for 85 or more cats and kittens at any one time, and is always full to capacity.

We take in and adopt an average of 250 cats and kittens per year. All cats leave the shelter healthy, spayed/neutered, FeLV/FIV tested, vaccinated for rabies and distemper, and treated for internal and external parasites. This is all done at the expense of RPC.

As a true no-kill shelter we have a higher percentage of special needs cats than most other shelter. Some cats have been with us for years and we will continue to care for them until they are adopted or have reached their natural life-span.

When possible, we also work with victims of abuse to provide temporary housing for their cats during their transitional period.

The funds needed to support RPC and to carry out our mission come from our thrift shop, fundraising events, donations from private individuals and grants.