Adopt, Donate, Volunteer

A Heartfelt Commitment to Animal Welfare

Charley's Strays is dedicated to rescuing animals in need and finding them loving homes. Join us in making a difference in their lives. Adopt, Donate, Volunteer.

About Charley's Strays

Charley's Strays takes in dogs and cats of all ages, breeds, sizes and shapes. We also endeavor to take in older and special needs animals other shelters won't take, and try to give them as much love and a comfortable home as possible.

No matter how young, old, neglected, or unattractive, if nobody wants them, there is a place at Charley's Strays. Due to the many unwanted critters, our space is very limited and that's why we would love to expand, and your support is critical to this goal!!

If you're thinking of getting a dog or cat for life, please don't forget about our Shelter animals, they will reward you with so much love! If you cannot adopt an animal, please consider sponsoring one of our permanent four-legged residents. Click Donate to sponsor a sanctuary dog.

All contributions to Charley's Strays, Inc. allow us to continue our mission. Donations in any amount are always needed and welcomed. We need your ongoing financial support! Because of our IRS 501(c)(3) designation, donations can be tax deductible!

Although Maine is a leader in the nation in addressing the pet overpopulation challenge, we still have a significant number of homeless dogs and cats in need of sheltering.

Charley's Strays is a small, privately run/funded, 501c3 non-profit, no-kill shelter in Benton, Maine that was established in 1989. Our guests are welcome to stay with us indefinitely until the perfect home comes along, without the threat of euthanasia. This also means we are almost always at full capacity, with a waiting list for space.

Our shelter is currently licensed and inspected by the State of Maine. We have heated indoor/outdoor kennel runs. We also have 13 outdoor exercise pens, complete with dog houses and roofs for shade. These pens are used for dogs to play and get fresh air during nice weather. Additionally, the entire shelter property is fenced in so the dogs get time to run and play outside of their pens/kennels every day.

We are not a traditional shelter with operating hours and loads of volunteers and staff and we do have a wonderful canine caretaker who lives on site, which allows our dogs to have lots of one-to-one attention, as someone is here every night as well as during the day. We also have a few dedicated volunteers who visit and play with the dogs and help with kennel tasks throughout the week.

Due to the fact that someone lives on site, the property is actually a home for a human, as well as for the dogs. We ask that you call 207-426-9482 or email charleysstrays@yahoo.com to make an appointment to visit before coming by to visit with your potential new family member.

We do not have a facility to hold cats at the shelter, but we do help out an occasional feline or two.

If you are looking to adopt or sponsor a rescued dog or cat, please click here to visit our Adoptable Animals page.