Two years ago, in a effort to educate children about the importance of developing compassion, understanding and consideration of other species, Maine Friends of Animals initiated its concept of a ‘Pet Club’ for students in grades 3-5. MFOA teamed up with the Madison Elementary School to organize its first Pet Club. It was such a success that MFOA has created a model that we hope to introduce to elementary schools throughout the state.

List of Wildlife Rehabilitators in Maine
http://www.maine.gov/ifw/wildlife/pdfs/rptRehabList050212.pdf

Injured or orphaned wildlife? Contact a wildlife rehabilitator near you.

Wildlife rehabilitator's are licensed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to accept wild animals for rehabilitation purposes. Find a wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

Materials needed are: a large Rubbermaid storage bin, an eight foot by two foot sheet of one-inch thick hard Styrofoam, a yardstick, a box cutter or utility knife, and straw, shredded newspaper or other insulating material. Then assemble as follows:

1. Cut a doorway six inches by six inches in one of the long sides of the storage bin towards the corner. To prevent flooding, cut the opening so that the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground.
2. Line the floor of the bin with a piece of Styrofoam, using the yardstick and box cutter to cut out the piece.
3. In similar fashion, line each of the four interior walls of the bin with a piece of the Styrofoam.  Perfect cuts are not necessary. Don't make the Styrofoam go all the way up to the top of the bin, but leave a uniform gap of at least three inches between the top of these Styrofoam "wall pieces" and the upper lip of the bin. There needs to be room for an interior Styrofoam "roof" to fit.
4. Cut out a doorway in the Styrofoam where it is lined up with the doorway that has been cut out already in the storage bin. Trace the outline of the doorway on the Styrofoam first before cutting.
5. Stuff the bottom of the bin with straw or other insulating material to hold the Styrofoam interior wall pieces in place.
6. Cut out a Styrofoam "roof" to rest on top of the Styrofoam interior wall pieces
7. Cover the bin with its lid.

This shelter can be cleaned by taking off the lid and the Styrofoam roof. It's also lightweight and may need to be weighed down. A flap over the doorway is optional. Catnip can be sprinkled inside at first to attract the cats.

Re-printed with permission from the CSM Stray Foundation