ROCKPORT — Pet adoption is becoming more affordable in the Midcoast thanks to the generosity of a local animal welfare advocate. On behalf of the John Wilkalis trust, Stockton Springs resident Shirley Balch has donated $9,000 to P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center. 

The trust supports two of P.A.W.S.’ programs that focus on increasing pet adoption by eliminating adoption fees: the Wilkalis-Balch Senior to Senior Program and Every Cat Matters waived fee cat adoption program.

John Wilkalis was a chemical engineer, researcher, and animal lover who passed away in 2004 at the age of 80. He loved music and traveled the world, with a special passion for Africa and photographing wildlife. 

Later in life John rescued a feral kitten and patiently trained him to wear a harness and walk on a leash. Buddy, the cat, was family to John and inspired him to direct his philanthropy to animal shelters.

Thanks to the Wilkalis-Balch Senior to Senior Program, launched in February 2015, the adoption fee for dogs nine and over is waived for adopters 50 and over.

This year P.A.W.S. is piloting a second adoption program — Every Cat Matters — in the hopes that by waiving the adoption fee for all cats and kittens people will go to the shelter for their next pet, all of which will be spayed or neutered.

P.A.W.S. serves nine Midcoast communities: Belfast, Camden, Islesboro, Liberty, Lincolnville, Northport, Rockport, Searsmont, and Swanville.

For more information about the center’s services and adoptable animals visit the center at 146 Camden Street in Rockport or online at www.pawsadoption.org.