Pope Memorial Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
Looking to adopt a dog or cat from Pope Memorial Animal Shelter? The shelter covered in this guide is The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter, a nonprofit animal-welfare organization at 60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, Maine 04622.
Whether you’re ready to welcome a pet home, have found a stray near Cherryfield, or need help keeping your pet through a difficult financial period, it helps to know which service actually handles your situation.
Important local distinction: The Ark provides shelter, adoption and community animal-help programs. Municipal animal-control enforcement is handled through the appropriate town Animal Control Officer, not automatically through The Ark.
Checked October 14, 2026
Shelter hours, address, adoption fees, applications, community programs and local animal-control contacts were researched using The Ark, the Town of Cherryfield and Maine government sources.
Washington County, Maine
This article covers the Cherryfield shelter, not the separate Pope Memorial organizations in Dover, Concord, Thomaston or Orleans.
Not the official shelter
Animal-Shelter.org is an independent informational website. It does not operate The Ark, Cherryfield Animal Control or Washington County emergency services.
Pope Memorial Animal Shelter Adoption Hours 2026
The Ark publishes the following public schedule. Dog adoptions require arranging a meeting after the application process. Public opening hours do not guarantee an immediate dog meet-and-greet.
| Day | Shelter hours | Visitor guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Closed | No routine public visits. |
| Tuesday | 12 PM–4 PM | Cat visits during published hours; dog meetings by appointment. |
| Wednesday | 12 PM–4 PM | Check the pet’s current status before travelling. |
| Thursday | 12 PM–4 PM | Dog adopters should already have an appointment. |
| Friday | 12 PM–4 PM | Bring enough time for a meaningful visit. |
| Saturday | 12 PM–4 PM | Weekend public hours; arrange dog visits beforehand. |
| Sunday | Closed | No routine public visits. |
How to Adopt a Dog or Cat From The Ark
The Ark uses a best-fit placement approach, rather than awarding every animal strictly to the first person who applies. An application may require a verification period before approval.
Choose a dog or cat to learn more about
Open the official Ark adoption listings and review the available pets. Note the animal’s name, age and known behavior or medical needs.
Choose a pet that could suit your living situation, not just the one with the most appealing photograph.
Complete the correct adoption application
For a dog, use the official dog adoption application .
For a cat, use the official cat adoption application .
Answer all questions honestly. Staff may need to verify information before approving a placement.
Prepare household and veterinary information
The forms request details about your home, current or former pets, veterinarian and how the new animal would be cared for.
Dog applicants should be prepared for a veterinarian reference and verification of home ownership or landlord permission.
Allow time for the application review
The Ark’s applications explain that review and verification may take approximately 24 hours.
Approval is based on suitability and the animal’s needs, not simply submission time.
Arrange the pet meeting
Dog adopters should wait for an appointment. Cat visitors may attend during the published public hours, while still following the application process.
If you have questions about timing, call 207-546-3484.
Ask questions before making the commitment
Discuss temperament, other pets, children, activity level, medications, vaccination records, spay/neuter status and how the animal behaves outside the shelter environment.
Ask what the shelter recommends for the first few days at home.
Confirm the fee and bring safe transport
Verify the exact adoption fee and any applicable medical or alteration deposit before completing the adoption.
Have a safe carrier for a cat or appropriate leash and vehicle arrangement for a dog.
Pope Memorial Animal Shelter Adoption Fees
The following amounts are published on The Ark’s official adoption page. Fees can change, and special programs may have different terms.
Cat adoption fees
| Cat category | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Kitten, 9 months or younger | $185 |
| Cat, approximately 9 months–7 years | $140 |
| Senior cat, 8 years or older | $90 |
| Barn cats, pair | $80 |
| Two kittens | Confirm current paired fee |
Dog adoption fees
| Dog category | Published fee |
|---|---|
| Puppy, 6 months or younger | $350 |
| Dog, 7 months–1 year | $300 |
| Adult dog, 13 months–7 years | $230 |
| Senior dog, 8 years or older | $130 |
What Should You Prepare Before Applying?
For dog adoption
- Accurate name and contact information.
- Current physical address and housing status.
- Landlord details if you rent.
- Current veterinarian information.
- Current and previous pet history.
- Household members and children.
- Planned exercise and care arrangement.
- Appropriate vehicle and leash setup.
For cat adoption
- Current contact and residence information.
- Landlord permission when relevant.
- Current and previous pet details.
- Veterinary-care information.
- Plans for litter boxes and indoor living.
- How the cat will meet other animals.
- Questions about age and medical needs.
- A secure cat carrier.
Golden Years: Senior-Pet Adoption Program
Special adoption opportunity for people aged 65+
The Ark’s Golden Years Program allows qualifying senior citizens, aged 65 or older, to adopt a senior pet without the normal adoption fee.
Instead, the shelter requests a donation of the adopter’s choice. The program description says participating pets are examined by a veterinarian, vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
Ask the shelter which currently available pets qualify. Do not assume that every adult animal falls under this program.
Emergency & Important Contacts
The Ark’s public phone is not a municipal emergency-dispatch number. The contacts below are assigned to their verified purposes for Cherryfield and the surrounding Washington County context.
| Organization / contact | Number | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter | 207-546-3484 | Shelter, adoption, surrender appointments, pet pantry and Ark community programs. |
| Cherryfield Animal Control Officer | 207-598-7636 | Town of Cherryfield animal-control matters. Current official town listing identifies Stanley McLain Jr. as Animal Control Officer. |
| Cherryfield Town Office | 207-546-2376 | Municipal assistance, Animal Control follow-up, dog licensing and relevant town services. |
| Emergency — 911 | 911 | Immediate danger to human life or another genuine police, fire or medical emergency. |
| Washington County Sheriff — Non-Emergency | 207-255-4422 | Sheriff’s Office non-emergency contact. Not a substitute for routine shelter adoption calls. |
| Maine CDC Rabies Consultation | 1-800-821-5821 | State rabies-exposure and disease consultation, available 24/7. |
Cherryfield Animal Control: Separate From The Ark
The Ark is a private nonprofit animal shelter. The Town of Cherryfield maintains its own municipal Animal Control Officer.
Stanley McLain Jr.
Current Cherryfield municipal and Maine state listings identify Stanley McLain Jr. as the town’s Animal Control Officer.
Phone: 207-598-7636.
Contact the officer for town animal-control concerns, rather than assuming the shelter handles municipal enforcement.
Not every nearby town uses the same ACO
Maine keeps town-by-town Animal Control Officer and contracted-shelter listings.
If an incident occurred outside Cherryfield, look up the actual town instead of copying Cherryfield’s phone number.
Lost or Found an Animal Near Cherryfield?
If your pet is missing
- Search your immediate neighborhood carefully.
- Contact the Animal Control Officer for the town where your pet disappeared.
- Call The Ark to ask whether your pet has been reported or brought there.
- Have a photograph, identifying marks, collar details and microchip information ready.
- Ask whether the town uses a different contracted shelter or holding facility.
- Check local lost-pet reports and shelter listings repeatedly.
If you found a stray
- Keep yourself and the animal safe.
- Check for identification only when safe.
- Record the exact location where the animal was found.
- Contact the appropriate town Animal Control Officer.
- Ask whether transport, collection or a designated intake facility is required.
- Do not assume The Ark can accept an unscheduled stray-animal delivery.
How to Surrender a Pet to The Ark
Surrendering a pet can be a difficult decision. The Ark’s official policy says owner surrenders are handled by appointment only.
Call the shelter first
Call 207-546-3484 and explain why you need help.
Do not bring a pet without arranging the surrender process.
Explain the pet’s needs honestly
Share important medical conditions, medications, behavior, bite history and care requirements.
Ask whether an alternative may help
The Ark offers community support programs. Depending on the situation, financial assistance, pet food help or another resource might be relevant.
Follow the approved appointment process
The Ark says that when it cannot accept an animal, it will make an effort to suggest an appropriate alternative.
Intake is not guaranteed merely because the shelter is open.
Veterinary Help and Community Animal-Welfare Programs
The Ark helps animals receive medical care and supports several community programs. Those programs should not be confused with a full-service public veterinary hospital at the shelter.
Stitch-In-Time
The Ark’s financial-assistance program is designed for eligible lower-income pet owners in Washington and Hancock Counties.
Qualified owners may receive financial assistance toward a spay/neuter appointment at a participating veterinarian.
The official description explains a cost-sharing arrangement between the owner, shelter and participating veterinarian.
Hardy’s Friends
This program helps eligible owners facing urgent veterinary expenses for sick or injured pets.
It is a financial-assistance program, not an emergency hospital or guaranteed payment authorization.
Contact The Ark to discuss the current eligibility and assistance process.
Ark Alley Cats
The Ark supports trap-neuter-return work for community cats in Washington and Hancock Counties.
The program works on preventing new litters and helping community cats access appropriate veterinary care.
What If Your Pet Needs Emergency Veterinary Care?
The Ark’s current pet-resource guide identifies Eastern Maine Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Holden as a regional after-hours and weekend veterinary option.
It also provides information about Hardy’s Friends and other emergency-care financial-assistance resources.
The Ark Community Pet Food Pantry
If paying for pet food has become difficult, The Ark operates a community pantry offering donated food and supplies for dogs and cats.
When to visit
The Ark lists pet pantry access during normal public hours:
Tuesday–Saturday, 12 PM–4 PM.
The pantry is at the Cherryfield shelter.
What is available?
The pantry relies on donations. Its current food and supplies cannot be guaranteed.
If you have a specific need, call before travelling to ask what may be available.
Cherryfield Dog Licensing and Maine Requirements
Dog licensing is a municipal service, not an adoption fee collected by The Ark.
| Licensing item | Current Maine / Cherryfield information | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Spayed / neutered dog | $6 municipal licensing fee | Provide current rabies proof and spay/neuter documentation. |
| Unaltered dog | $11 municipal licensing fee | Provide current rabies documentation. |
| Licensing age | Dogs generally require licensing at six months. | Maine also requires licensing after the dog has been with its new family for 10 days, if adopted. |
| Late renewal | $25 state-mandated late fee after January 31 | Renew with the appropriate town clerk. |
| Where to license | Cherryfield Town Office, 12 Municipal Way | Call 207-546-2376 or review the current Maine state licensing instructions. |
Check rabies documentation
Maine requires current rabies vaccination for dogs and cats. Keep the vaccination certificate available.
Prepare proof of alteration
Bring spay/neuter documentation if claiming the altered-dog licensing rate.
Apply through the correct municipality
Cherryfield residents can use the Town Office. Owners in another town must use their own town’s process.
Review the official Maine dog licensing instructions .
Before You Drive to Pope Memorial Animal Shelter
For adoption
- Check current animal listings.
- Complete the application.
- Arrange dog meetings in advance.
- Have landlord information if renting.
- Prepare veterinarian references when requested.
- Confirm the total adoption fee.
- Bring a secure carrier or leash.
For surrender, community help or lost pets
- Call before surrendering a pet.
- Explain the animal’s medical and behavior history.
- Bring relevant photographs or medical records.
- Check program eligibility before applying for assistance.
- Confirm pet-pantry supplies before a long drive.
- Use the correct municipality for Animal Control.
Map: The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter
60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622
The shelter also lists a mailing address at PO Box 276, Cherryfield, ME 04622. Use the Barber Lane street address for an in-person visit.
Official Pope Memorial and Maine Resources
These sources provide current applications, procedures, service information or official government contacts.
Pope Memorial Animal Shelter FAQ
1. Where is Pope Memorial Animal Shelter located?
The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter is at 60 Barber Lane, Cherryfield, ME 04622.
2. What are Pope Memorial Animal Shelter adoption hours in 2026?
The Ark’s public hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12 PM to 4 PM. Sunday and Monday are closed. Dog adoption meetings require an application and appointment.
3. What is Pope Memorial Animal Shelter’s phone number?
The Ark Pope Memorial Animal Shelter’s main phone number is 207-546-3484.
4. Do I need an appointment to adopt a dog from The Ark?
Yes. Complete the official dog adoption application and arrange a meeting with the shelter. Public hours do not guarantee an immediate dog meeting.
5. How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
The Ark currently lists puppies 6 months or younger at $350, dogs approximately 7 months to 1 year at $300, adults 13 months to 7 years at $230, and senior dogs 8 years or older at $130. Confirm the fee for the specific animal.
6. How much does it cost to adopt a cat?
The current main adoption page lists kittens 9 months or younger at $185, cats through 7 years at $140, senior cats 8 years or older at $90, and barn-cat pairs at $80. Ask The Ark to confirm any paired-cat discount.
7. Does The Ark offer free senior-pet adoption?
The Golden Years Program allows qualifying people aged 65 or older to adopt an eligible senior pet without the normal adoption fee, with a donation of choice requested.
8. Is The Ark the Cherryfield Animal Control department?
No. The Ark is a private nonprofit animal shelter. Cherryfield’s municipal Animal Control Officer is a separate town service. Current official listings identify Stanley McLain Jr. and provide 207-598-7636 as the ACO contact.
9. Can I surrender a pet at Pope Memorial Animal Shelter?
Owner surrenders are considered by appointment. Call The Ark at 207-546-3484 to discuss the situation and ask about intake availability or possible alternatives.
10. Does The Ark help with veterinary expenses or pet food?
Yes. The Ark lists Stitch-In-Time spay/neuter assistance, Hardy’s Friends urgent veterinary financial assistance, a community-cat TNR program, and a donation-supported pet food pantry. Eligibility and available assistance must be confirmed with the shelter.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
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Lost pet recovery checklist
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Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.