The Boothbay Railway Village hosted animal rescue groups and provided free admission and rides to families on Saturday, June 4.

Featured exhibitors included Underhound Railroad and the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, which is now teamed with the Coastal Humane Society.

Chris Wolff, director of Programs and Community Relations for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, said that the day provided an opportunity to find homes for shelter dogs as well sign up volunteers to serve at the shelter in Edgecomb.

The Underhound Railroad was established in 2009 in order to find homes in Maine for dogs that were destined to be euthanized in southern states.

“There are so many people that want to adopt dogs here,” said program director Renee Coombs of Bristol. The program began by rescuing dogs from New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Most of the dogs are now brought in from Georgia. The dogs are given foster homes until permanent owners can be found, she said.

“We are all volunteers,” she added. Currently there are 26 dogs cared for by the volunteers.

The program is funded by private contributions. Ames True Value Supply in Wiscasset has contributed dog food. The adoption fee is $400 which includes vet costs and shots, she said. 

Boothbay Railroad Village Director Margaret Hoffman said it was the third year the facility has hosted the event, which is combined with “Free Family Day.”

She said that the Village is always open to pets. They can even ride the train.

“We are dog-friendly every day,” said Hoffman.

Several other pet supply providers and sponsors were on hand including Animal House of Damariscotta, The Coastal Dog, Inc. of Edgcomb and the publishers of Downeast Dog News and Pet Maine. Two Salty Dog Outfitters of Boothbay Harbor was unable to attend because of staffing shortages, said Hoffman. 

The facility also played host to a Model T drive in on Saturday.