Midcoast pet adoption television show "Reigning Cats and Dogs" has filmed its 200th episode. The program is aired weekly on Belfast Community TV channel 2 as well as throughout Knox County. Producers Ned Lightner of Belfast and Craig Matheson of Owls Head record the program at the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League and the Humane Society of Knox County animal shelter, both of which serve towns in both Knox and Waldo counties.

The shows alternate between the two shelters and the 200th episode was recorded at the Knox County shelter but Laurah Stupka, Camden-Rockport shelter manager, dropped by with a cake to celebrate. Weavers Bakery of Belfast donated the cake for the occasion.

"Reigning Cats and Dogs" is a program where cats and dogs available for adoption are the stars. Lightner, also program director of BCTV-2, believed that using community TV as a means of finding homes for stray and abandoned animals is an excellent use of the television medium.

"Some show ideas just work well on television. Who can resist a cuddly kitten or a sad-eyed dog," he said.

The local shelters appreciate not only the fact that people are watching the programs and coming to the shelter, but also that they are able to educate the public on important issues such as spay and neutering programs. The program airs on BCTV-2 Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and other times throughout the week; check belfastcommunitytv.org for program listings.

Courier Publications' A&E Editor Dagney C. Ernest can be reached at 207-594-4401 or dernest@courierpublicationsllc.com.