ORONO — A no kill animal shelter in Orono received a generous donation of over $500 in less than five days with the help of University of Maine students.
The Animal Orphanage in Orono has more than ten cats and they hope to save more stray and abandon animals in town.
“The animals that we take don’t have a home right now and we’re that home until we find them a forever home,” said The Animal Orphanage manager, Erick Chambers.
The non-profit animal shelter has been taking in stray cats and dogs for over 30 years.
“Everything this shelter is about the community. The community helping the animals and the community supports it,” said Chambers. “I just love it.”
Lisa Liberatore is on the board of directors for The Animal Orphanage.
Liberatore also teaches a business class at the UMaine and she wanted to connect her students and the non-profit organization in a educational way.
“She was talking about the shelter needed some money. Since we are a charitable organization we thought we could help out,” said Beta Theta Pi President Jacob Del Signore.
“We were looking for a philanthropy event to do and we were looking for a good organization for a good cause. Whats better than the animals,” said Del Signore.
Beta Theta Phi hosted an online fundraiser on Instagram squares and raised over $700 in three days.
“I couldn’t believe it like is this really happening right now, said Liberatore. “Oh my goodness there is so much untapped potential in our community. I just wanted to connect the dots.”
With the generous donation, Chambers said the shelter will use it towards medical costs to help the animals.
“Anytime we get someone going forward and putting the effort in, it’s much appreciated,” said Chambers. “Whether it’s one dollar or seven hundred dollars I can fed a cat for a day.”
