News & Events
Kitten Exchange & Adoption Program: Supporting Cats and the Community
At Halfway Home Pet Rescue, we understand that unexpected litters happen—and when they do, it can feel overwhelming. Veterinary care is expensive, and finding safe, responsible homes for multiple kittens isn’t easy. That’s why we created our Kitten Exchange & Adoption Program: to provide compassionate, judgment-free support for both cats and their owners.
How the Program Works
If you find yourself caring for unwanted kittens, we can step in to help. Through our program, the kittens are brought into our care where they receive proper attention, socialization, and veterinary services. From there, we ensure they are placed in safe, loving, pre-screened homes.
Meanwhile, the mother cat is not forgotten. After the kittens are weaned, she will be returned to you having received essential medical care, including:
- Spay surgery
- Vaccinations
- Deworming
- SNAP combo testing (for Feline Leukemia and FIV)
- Ear cleaning and nail trimming
This comprehensive care totals approximately $350 in veterinary services, helping to prevent future litters while improving her overall health.
When Surrender Is the Best Option
We understand that every situation is different. If you’re unable to keep the mother cat, we can take in the entire family—ensuring both mom and kittens receive the care they need and are placed in loving, permanent homes.
A Mission Rooted in Compassion
Our goal is never to shame—it’s to support. We recognize the challenges pet owners face and are committed to being a resource for our community. By working together, we can reduce the number of homeless animals and give every cat the opportunity for a safe, happy life.
Learn More
If you’re interested in adopting or want to learn more about how we can help, please visit: http://halfwayhomepetrescue.org/adoption/
Together, we can make a difference—one mama cat and one kitten at a time.
Welcome, Jay Roy!
We are thrilled to welcome Jay Roy as our new Adoption Center Manager at Halfway Home Pet Rescue.
Many in the Caribou community already know Jay from his years at Roy’s IGA or his time at McCain’s. What some may not know is that Jay’s connection to animal rescue runs deep. Years ago, Jay and his father, Ernest, cared for a colony of more than 70 cats behind the IGA. It was there that Jay first partnered with Norma, helping to trap, sterilize, and rehabilitate the cats—laying the foundation for a lifelong commitment to rescue work.
When Norma recently faced health challenges, Jay stepped up without hesitation—first as a dedicated volunteer, and now as our Adoption Center Manager. His return feels like a reunion of kindred spirits and a natural continuation of the mission. As Jay shared with us, “I work for a cause, not applause.”
Our volunteers have described Jay’s arrival as a true “booster shot” of energy for the rescue. With his extensive hands-on experience, deep knowledge of animal care, and genuine heart for the mission, we are excited and confident as we move into this next chapter.
Continued Care & Community Support
Under Jay’s leadership, Halfway Home Pet Rescue will continue providing the highest quality care for rescued cats. Questions from the public regarding stray or feral cats, colony management, surrenders, adoptions, or spay/neuter clinic options are welcome and encouraged.
Contact
Jay Roy
Adoption Center Manager, Halfway Home Pet Rescue
Email: jay@halfwayhomepetrescue.org
Phone: 207-999-1075
Please join us in welcoming Jay Roy—we’re so grateful to have him leading the way.
Note of Appeal from Norma Milton of Halfway Home Pet Rescue
Halfway Home Pet Rescue has recently rescued a large colony of at-risk and very ill cats and have them isolated in a separate building away from the Adoption Center. They need almost constant cleaning due to vomiting and diarrhea.
These colony cats came to us deathly ill and are under highly competent licensed direct veterinary care with medications. Only Jay Roy, our Rescue Manager works with the sick cats in the another building so our HHPR adoptable cats are all very safe and happy.
We have so far saved at least 15 of the cats and separated them from the still ill ones who still require a lot of cleaning every few hours. Our supplies are now extremely low. We were so blessed with eight donated new very large dog crates over the Christmas holiday to help with separating each cat and giving each a private room to move around.
Due to this large colony of cats, Halfway Home Pet Rescue desperately needs donations of the following to continue this rescue operation:
- Litter
- Pee pads (to be used as cage liners) Example here or any similar.
- Friskies canned chicken, turkey, salmon, or ocean whitefish
- Purina dry cat food for sensitive stomachs (This can be found at Walgreens, Walmart, most grocery stores and dollar stores.)
You can also order items from our wish lists at Chewy and Amazon. Please do what you can and know these are mostly very loving appreciative cats that deserve this chance at a good life.
Thank you for anything you can do to help. It is deeply appreciated.
Norma Milton, President
Halfway Home Pet Rescue
Save Lives When You File Your Maine Taxes!
When completing your Maine State Income Tax Return, you can make a voluntary contribution to the Companion Animal Sterilization Fund—just check the box labeled “The Companion Animal Sterilization Fund.”
Your donation helps:
✔️ Spay and neuter cats and dogs
✔️ Prevent unwanted litters
✔️ Reduce shelter intakes and euthanasia
✔️ Decrease the number of feral cats across Maine
💙 Important to know: This is a state program NOT funded by tax dollars. It exists only through public donations made on Form 1040. These contributions provide Help Fix Me vouchers for low-income families and feral cat colonies statewide.
⚠️ If enough people don’t check this box and donate, the program will not be funded.
Please help protect Maine’s animals—check the box, add the form, and make a difference when you file.
Halfway Home Pet Rescue Receives $1,000 Grant from Bangor Savings Bank’s Community Matters More Program
Caribou, Maine — April 4, 2025 Halfway Home Pet Rescue is pleased to announce that it has been selected to receive a $1,000 grant from Bangor Savings Bank through its Community Matters More program, an initiative of The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation.
Each February, community members across Maine and New Hampshire have the opportunity to vote for their favorite local nonprofits as part of this impactful grant program. Designed to support local non-profits providing essential services and programs that improve lives throughout the region, the Community Matters More initiative reflects Bangor Savings Bank’s deep commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who voted for us, and to Bangor Savings Bank for recognizing the value of our mission,” said Norma Milton, Founder of HHPR. “This generous grant will directly support our efforts to provide six low-cost spay/neuter clinics throughout the year and ongoing rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming pets in need across Aroostook County.”
Lauren Carmichael, Branch Leader for Bangor Savings Bank in Houlton, reached out with the good news and will be coordinating the delivery of the donation check in mid-April.
The Community Matters More program supports local nonprofits that provide essential services in Maine and New Hampshire. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3)s with inclusive, community-focused programs.
Halfway Home Pet Rescue extends heartfelt thanks to Bangor Savings Bank, The Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, and all community members who participated in the voting process for making this support possible.
About Halfway Home Pet Rescue
Halfway Home Pet Rescue is dedicated to improving the quality of life for stray animals in Aroostook County, Maine. We focus our mission on the rescue and rehabilitation of cats and kittens from Caribou and surrounding communities who are not eligible for admission to other area shelters. HHPR provides medical care, social and emotional rehabilitation through a safe haven that is “half way home.” HHPR offers low cost spay/neuter clinics throughout the year to the general public.