Six dogs died when fire broke out at the Give a Dog a Home rescue shelter in Sebec, officials said.
Fire Chief Mike Harris said crews were called to the shelter on Downs Road around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday.
The building was heavily engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived.
Harris said cold temperatures made it harder to contain the fire.
Fourteen dogs were inside, but only eight made it out. No people were injured, and the building was a total loss, he said.
Stacy Shaffer, an animal-rights activist in Sebec, told The Maine Wire she is working with animal-welfare officials investigating the blaze.
Fire departments from Sebec, Milo, Brownville, Charleston, Monson, Bradford, Dover-Foxcroft, and Guilford were among those responding.
