A new welfare specialty license plate for the state of Maine is now available for purchase, announced Planet Dog. The plate directly supports the health and welfare of Maine’s companion animals.
 
The plate features colorful silhouettes of a cat, dog, rabbit, horse, and bird with the slogan “respect. love. adopt.” It can be purchased at Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch offices, as well as town offices that issue license plates. Drivers pay $20 for the plate the first year and $15 every year after that for renewals.

 
For each plate sold the Animal Welfare Auxiliary Fund receives $5 to support its animal rescue programs, including puppy mill seizures and animal cruelty and abuse investigations. The Companion Animal Sterilization Fund will also receive $5 for each plate sold to support domestic animal spay and neuter programs such as Help Fix ME, Maine’s spay/neuter program for low-income citizens.
 
“Due to the severity of seizures, additional funding for the Animal Welfare Program (AWP) is sorely needed,” says Norma Worley, director of the State of Maine Animal Welfare Program. “This specialty plate will enable animal lovers in the state of Maine to show their support and make a difference for Maine’s homeless animals,” adds Worley.
 
Planet Dog (a designer and developer of premium dog products) is a member of the Maine Adoption Leaders Team (MALT), the unique partnership of Maine private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies working on behalf of Maine’s animals. Happy Tails (specializing in doggie day care, boarding, and training), the Animal Welfare Society, the Animal Refuge League, the Maine Chapter of The Humane Society of the United States, and the AWP also make up the partnership. Planet Dog designed the new specialty plate and facilitated the process; MALT was charged with the task of collecting $25 from 2,000 citizens committed to pre-paying for the license plate.
 
“What made it succeed in record time was the combination of teamwork and passion for animal welfare,” says Catherine Frost, Planet Dog’s MALT leader. “I don’t think there’s a better example of several sectors coming together to work for a common goal. That, coupled with the people of Maine rallying behind the effort, made it a win-win-win