Sanford, ME – In honor of National Pet Month in May, Partners Bank is donating $30,000 to local animal rescues in each community they serve:

• Sanford, South Sanford, Springvale, ME
• York, Wells, ME
• Buxton, Limerick, and Waterboro, ME
• Kingston, Portsmouth, and Rye, NH

The Bank is devoted to improving all the lives in our community, including those we call pets, furry friends, fur babies, and family members.

According to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry, each year, over 10,000 animals are either surrendered, transferred from another rescue, or admitted as strays at local animal rescues in the state. The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) alone takes in over 2,000 animals each year. Of course, each rescue aims to rehabilitate and rehome these animals instead of euthanizing them.

For the rescues to care for these animals – young, old, healthy, ill, and a variety of species – they require the compassion and help from members of our community. As The Bank That Listens, Partners Bank and its animal-loving employees are passionately contributing to the recovery of these rescued animals so they may find their forever homes.

Each Partners Bank branch has selected the following animal rescues to receive the National Pet Month Donation from the Bank:

• Sanford and Springvale branches are donating $4,000 to Grammy Rose Dog Rescue & Sanctuary.
• South Sanford branch is donating $2,000 to Another Chance Animal Rescue.
• Wells branch is donating $1,500 each to Safe Haven Humane Society and Animal Welfare Society.
• York branch is donating $3,000 to Center for Wildlife.
• Buxton, Limerick, and Waterboro branches are donating $1,800 each to Saco River Wildlife Center, The Green Ark, New England Lab Rescue, No Bowl Empty 2 Pet Food Pantry, and New England Animal Sanctuary.
• Kingston branch is donating $1,500 each to Millstone Wildlife Center and Hidden Pond Farm Equine Rescue.
• Portsmouth branch is donating $3,000 to Spicy Cats Rescue.
• Rye branch is donating $3,000 to the NHSPCA.

Market Managers from each branch will be personally dropping off checks to these animal rescues throughout the month of May.

To add more excitement to National Pet Month, all 11 Partners Bank locations want to put a smile on some pets’ faces by giving away pet-themed gifts (while supplies last). Anyone can stop inside a branch and grab a gift for their best friend at home.

Lastly, Partners Bank is holding a pet photo contest at https://partners.bank/pet-month. From May 1st through May 18th, folks in our community can submit photos of their pets in these four categories:

• Action shot (pets caught mid-run, mid-jump, or playing)
• Sleepiest (for pets sleeping or lazing the day away)
• Biggest smile (for the happiest-looking pet)
• Best dressed (for pets with stylish outfits)

From May 23rd through June 1st, people can vote for their favorite photo in each category. Winners will be announced on June 10th, and the winning photo in each category will win a $100 gift card.

Partners Bank is excited to celebrate National Pet Month in May by helping animal rescues care for our four-legged friends and by creating awareness for how much they rely on our unwavering love and support.