ROCKPORT — P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center and Pope Memorial Human Society held a brief candle lighting ceremony and poetry reading during Remember Me Thursday on the grounds of the old Rockport Elementary School grounds Thursday, September 22. The ceremony was held at the same time across the nation.

The small crowd gathered and lit a candle in remembrance of all the shelter animals’ nation wide who could not be adopted and in hope for all the animals currently in shelters

Rockland’s poet laureate Joanna Hynd recited two poems during the ceremony.

Shelly Butler of PAWS said the ceremony was about remembering all the animal who were not able to find a home.

“It’s also about giving every other pet the opportunity to get into their forever home,” she said.

Butler said PAWS has 65 pets ready for adoption right now. She also said the 20 kittens they rescued were still in isolation and doing fine.

“Halloween would be a good time to adopt these kittens,” she said. “They’re all black and orange.”

Anna Adams, event director of Pope Memorial Humane Society, said the day was to remember all the animals that never had a chance to make it to a second home.

“We have a gorgeous new facility and the important part is it’s a lot roomier for our animals and more comfortable” she said. “They also showcase better so people are a lot more apt to adopt them.”

Adams said they currently have 28 dogs in house with several in foster. She also added they have a bout 100 cats in house and in foster.