The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals is expanding its ability to serve neglected or abused large animals by hiring its first vice president of external affairs.

“We’ve experienced a growing need to increase our capacity for rehabilitating and maintaining large animals,” said Marilyn Goodreau, the society’s president and CEO. “After a lengthy search, we have chosen Meris Bickford, former vice president of trust and investment services at Merrill Bank in Bangor, to fill this critical post.”

Bickford, who is also a former president of the 3,200-member Maine State Bar Association, said her immediate challenge is to “increase the visibility of this remarkable entity and enhance the financial base that provides for the care of the animals. We are the single organization delivering life-saving care to large animals who have experienced horrific abuse and neglect in Maine. The Society is a nonprofit organization and receives no federal, state, or local government funding.”

During her presidency of the Maine State Bar Association, Bickford heightened awareness of animal abuse by providing educational programming for the judiciary and lawyers, regarding the relationship between animal abuse and family violence. She also brings experience as a trust banker, trial lawyer and public administrator to her new responsibilities on behalf of Maine’s homeless animals.

Located at 279 River Road, South Windham, the society is open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. each day.