Many Massachusetts animal welfare groups are feeling overwhelmed and stuck trying to manage challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, including a huge increase in the number of dogs entering shelters and staying there longer, as well as staffing problems among both shelter and veterinary workers that has caused burnout and unbelievable stress for those trying to manage a population often comprised of animals that need more behavior and medical support.

To combat these issues and more, the MSPCA-Angell is leading a new coalition of animal welfare groups across Massachusetts — Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL), Boston Animal Control (BACO), Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO), Dakin Humane Society, and Berkshire Humane Society — that will work together to improve and save the lives of animals.

“The issues facing animal welfare right now are daunting, to say the least,” said MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “But we know that our best chance to address them means we need to work together.”

“So, we’re going to start at the top with one of the most pervasive issues we’re experiencing, and that’s the dog population crisis,” he added.

The first official act of the coalition will be a group-wide, fee-waived adoption event—called “Mass Saves” — for all dogs aged one-year and older. The event begins Monday, July 15 and runs through Sunday, July 21. Hours vary by location, and all dogs from BACO will be adopted through MSPCA shelters. Interested adopters may find more information at mspca.org/dogs.

The future is bright for 39 dogs recently brought to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Massachusetts from Texas—one of the states hit hardest by the ongoing national dog population crisis.

The flight is the first collaboration between the MSPCA and Operation Kindness, a lifesaving animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas. The plane arrived at Hanscom Field in Bedford on the afternoon of May 25.

“Operation Kindness is really unique in that it’s tackling the biggest animal welfare problems facing the South right now—and those are huge problems,” said MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “They’re providing a lifeline to big municipal shelter systems, like Dallas Animal Services, by taking in some of their animals.” Keiley estimates that shelter system alone takes in an average of more than 100 animals every single day.

The Operation Kindness dogs range in age from two-months to three-years-old. They are a variety of breeds and sizes, including Chihuahuas, Poodle mixes, Hound mixes, and Pit Bull mixes.

They are also the inspiration behind the MSPCA’s next fee-waived adoption event — called Texas Home ‘Em — for all dogs aged one and older that weigh at least 40 pounds—because everything is bigger in Texas.

The adoptathon will be held during open hours at the MSPCA’s shelters in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod, beginning June 3 at the Northeast Animal Shelter, June 4 at the other three locations, and running through June 9 at all shelters. More information on the event may be found at mspca.org/dogs.

The MSPCA-Angell is partnering with American Humane and Bissell Pet Foundation to rescue 25 large breed dogs from Texas. The dogs arrived at Hanscom Field in Bedford on the afternoon of April 23.

“Many of these dogs were living at a small rescue operation,” explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “But that group was no longer able to provide the care that they needed, so the dogs started to suffer, and it became clear they needed to be moved off the property.”

“Unfortunately, it’s near impossible to find transport partners for dogs right now, especially larger breeds, because most organizations are already full up,” he expounded, alluding to the national dog population crisis.

“Our own population has been at or near capacity for over a year at this point, but thanks to the success of our last adoption event, we were able to free up some space and knew we had to help.”

The dogs range in age from 12-weeks to 10-years-old and are mostly mixes of large breeds, including Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Hounds, and Catahoulas. After their arrival in Bedford, they were split between all four of the MSPCA’s Adoption Centers. They will be available for adoption following their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after receiving any medical care they may need.

The MSPCA will post updates on the dogs’ adoption statuses on its social media pages. Keiley estimates caring for the dogs is expected to cost roughly $5,000. Those interested in donating to help offset that cost may do so at mspca.org/donate.