AUGUSTA – Animal welfare advocates have been given more time to pre-sell vanity license plates that aim to benefit Maine’s cash-strapped Animal Welfare Program.

Supporters originally had until Sept. 1 to collect $50,000 – or $25 each from 2,000 people who agreed to buy the plates.

But with supporters falling short of their goal by about 250, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles has agreed to extend the deadline to next Wednesday.

If supporters reach their goal, state lawmakers would consider the idea next year.

A prototype of the plate shows a silhouette of a ponytailed girl, a dog and a cat, along with the words, “rescue, raise, love, adopt.”