BRUNSWICK

Mandie Wehr, director of shelter operations and shelter veterinarian for the Coastal Humane Society in Brunswick was about to have her hands full Thursday morning. Three puppies were being prepped for surgery — spaying and neutering procedures are mandatory for dogs and cats before they’re sent out to adoption at the society’s shelter.

It’s an important part of the work performed by Coastal Humane Society, but it comes with a high price tag.

Spaying a dog amounts to openabdominal surgery, Wehr said, that costs about $800.

Funds to support Coastal Humane’s mission could be bolstered, however, as it participates in the Rachael Ray ASPCA $100,000 Challenge.

Coastal Humane is attempting to find homes for 822 animals this summer as part of the challenge, which began in June. In the first month of the challenge, Coastal Humane placed a total of 352 animals in new homes, 175 more animals than in the same month one year ago.

That puts the shelter in first place in its division, and sixth nationwide.

The win comes with a $5,000 “Fast Start” grant from the ASPCA, which CHS says it will use to find permanent homes for more animals. The grant is awarded to the agency in each division that has saved the most lives in the first month of competition.

If the animal shelter ultimately places first in its division at the conclusion of the Challenge on Aug. 31, the nonprofit will be eligible for $25,000 in grant money. If the shelter places first among all competing shelters, the grant award is $100,000.

Fifty shelters across the country compete to break their own previous records for lives saved. Between June and August, each competing shelter must save more dogs, cats, puppies and kittens than it did during the same three months in 2013. This year is the final year the challenge will run.

Wehr said she was cautiously optimistic that Coastal Humane Society would exceed its goal for the challenge.

“We’re successful by placing animals and saving lives,” said Wehr. “That’s our biggest goal. We’re really fortunate to have a community that’s been helping us achieve that. Even if we don’t win any money, we’ve come a long way with the biggest benefit being to the animals and the people in our community.”

Funds would go to operating the shelter, including animal rescue. Rescue operations entail taking in animals that have been surrendered to the shelter — such as the 15 finches CHS took in from a hoarding situation — and animals that might have otherwise been euthanized at other shelters from around the east coast.

The shelter’s next adoption event as part of the challenge is “Christmas in July” on Saturday and Sunday. There are 41 puppies ready for adopting by this weekend, and up to 20 kittens, all of which will be spayed or neutered.

A spayed or neutered animal will often make for a more docile pet.

All cats and dogs are spayed or neutered before being placed for adoption, and the animals are given as much medical care as possible, including preventative care and vaccinations, and flea and tick checks.

“It’s not cheap for anybody to do,” said Wehr. “You have anesthetic, you have supplies such as sutures, you have instruments and equipment that you have to be able to purchase and maintain.”

Spaying and neutering in Maine has helped keep the dog population under control, compared to many other parts of the U.S., said Wehr.

“Coastal has also been successful because of the overwhelming support from the public and our family of volunteers. We have so many wonderful animals, and it’s inspirational to be able to place them in homes where their new owners really love them and want the best for them,” said Mary Fifield, interim executive director of Coastal Humane Society in a news release. “And we don’t want to forget our incredible Coastal Foster Families. If someone isn’t willing or able to commit to pet ownership full-time, our foster program is a loving way to contribute to the well-being of the animals we care for.”

COASTAL HUMANE SOCIETY is attempting to find homes for 822 animals this summer as part of the Rachael Ray ASPCA $100,000 Challenge, which began in June. In the first month of the challenge, CHS placed a total of 352 animals in new homes, 175 more animals than in the same month one year ago.