Volunteering in a political campaign is an invaluable experience. It can be an exciting, intense, short term sense of group solidarity and a fun way to meet others who share your passion for an issue / candidate, while learning how voting blocs, even minority ones, can and do affect election outcomes.

Candidate recruitment for the state legislature is beginning now for the November elections. Getting MFOA-endorsed candidates elected is one of the most important things you can do to advance animal protection.

1.Know who your local animal control officer is and let him/her be the eyes and ears for you on animal issues in your community. Support your ACO by requesting your town provide him/her resources and support to do their job properly.
2.Volunteer at your local animal shelter
3.Write letters to your State Representative and Senator asking them to support animal protection legislation
4.Become a member of MFOA and of other animal protection organizations
5.Use the tax return check-off to support the state spay / neuter program
6.Write a letter to the editor in your local daily and weekly newspaper
7.Volunteer time at the MFOA office
8.Set up an MFOA informational table / booth at a local function, event or county fair
9.Educate a neighbor / resident about his/her ‘dog chained for life’. Report DCFL abuse violations to ACO and MFOA for follow-up action
10.Live and shop with compassion; teach others empathy for animals
11.Report animal cruelty to your ACO, the state Animal Welfare Program and MFOA
12.Know your animal protection adversaries and what they are doing
13.Donate financially to MFOA and other animal protection organizations
14.Educate yourself on the issues (see MFOA web site and links) 
15.Demonstrate on annual anti-fur day (day after Thanksgiving)
16.Become part of our online community and receive MFOA Action Alerts and Updates.
17.Run for public office (contact MFOA for advice, support and assistance)
18.Investigate / get pictures of possible animal cruelty
19.Join MFOA demonstrations in Maine of circuses with captive wildlife
20.Feed a feral cat
21.Work to help elect an animal-friendly legislator
22.Make your property wildlife friendly (see MFOA newsletters and other websites)
23.Adopt a pet from your local shelter, advise others not to buy from kennels, pet stores and ‘backyard breeders’
24.Become a vegetarian
25.Host a MFOA fundraising party and/or find donors

Help Fix ME, the State of Maine’s new low-income spay/neuter program for cats and dogs, has been inundated with requests for assistance. This program will keep thousands of unwanted animals from being born and relinquished to Maine’s shelters.
Contact the Help Fix ME low income spay/neuter program 1-800-367-1317