The MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen is pulling out all the stops to ensure a very special elderly horse gets a loving new home for the Holidays—before he marks a full year of homelessness. Merlin, an “American Paint” horse, first arrived at Nevins Farm last December, when he was underweight and had a mouth full of pain. Because his teeth had not been properly maintained, they’d developed points that cut into his gums. Moreover, some of his teeth were fractured and had to be extracted.

“When Merlin came to us, he weighed just 850 pounds, which may sound like a lot but it’s very underweight for a horse of his size,” explained Rachel Diersen, equine and farm animal supervisor at Nevins Farm. “Now, Merlin is close to 1,100 pounds and so much healthier.”

Merlin was involved in a Law Enforcement case. The MSPCA was granted full custody of him last week, after his owner chose not to pay a bond that was ordered by a judge. Now, the organization is looking for his forever home.

“Merlin will be the oldest horse we’ve placed in recent memory, and he’s very special,” said Diersen. “We’re highly motivated to rehome him now that we have custody, because he’s responded so well to treatment and has such a wonderful personality, and we’re hoping to enlist the help of the public to find this older gentleman an awesome retirement home.”

“We’re looking for adopters who understand how to care for senior horses and the extra management they require,” she added. “His days of enjoying rides with humans may be over, but he will still be a great companion in the right home.”

Inquire to Adopt

The MSPCA-Angell and Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS) have rescued nearly 100 cats impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida over the past few weeks, and now the two organizations are joining together to rescue more pets. On October 12, they had vans on the ground at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut to receive 31 cats and 9 dogs on a flight funded by the Bissell Pet Foundation. The animals were immediately brought to NEAS in Salem to serve out their 48-hour state-mandated quarantine.

Prior to that transport, the organizations had already taken in 91 cats from Florida since late last month, beginning with the evacuation of cats September 27, prior to when Hurricane Ian made landfall. About a third of those cats have been adopted, but the others are still looking for their forever homes. Interested adopters may learn more about them and apply to adopt at neas.org/adopt. The dogs and cats transported today will be available after their quarantine and after they receive any medical care they need, including spaying and neutering.

Donate Now to Help

As reported in the New York Times, about 4,000 dogs are being rescued from the Virginia breeding facility, Envigo, where they were forced to live in confined, unsanitary, and inhumane conditions.  The Virginia facility was shut down in early July.

Now, the MSPCA-Angell and Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS) in Salem are bringing more Beagles to Massachusetts, where loving homes await. In a little less than a week, they’re heading to Virginia to transport up to 50 more dogs. And, they’re planning at least four more trips next month to bring more Beagles in.

The MSPCA and NEAS have been working with the Humane Society of the United States to bring the animals up to Massachusetts.  The organizations believe that at least some of the new Beagles will be made available for adoption the week of July 25 and interested adopters can apply via neas.org/adopt or mspca.org/adopt.

Anyone interested in donating to help care for the Beagles may do so at mspca.org/beagles or by clicking the button below.