A young, homeless puppy is recovering after a scary incident that highlights the importance of keeping pets safe this holiday season. Nine-month-old Bob was a seemingly normal dog when he arrived at the MSPCA-Angell on November 15, after he was surrendered by his owner to Boston Animal Control—but something was amiss.

“Bob’s previous owner mentioned that he had some kind of protrusion on his flank, but we couldn’t find anything when he first came to us,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Mike Keiley. “After a couple weeks, it became clear Bob was in pain, but we weren’t sure why, so we brought him to Angell for imaging.”

The radiology team at Angell found the source of Bob’s pain—a wooden skewer commonly used in food preparation.

“It seems that Bob ate the skewer and it pierced his stomach—something that is usually immediately clear and requires urgent care,” Keiley explained. “But there are rare instances like this one where something small and sharp pierces the stomach wall, but the stomach wall then heals on its own, making the problem much harder to detect.”

Following successful surgery to remove the skewer, Bob has recovered and is now looking for his forever family. Shelter staff say that he’s incredibly sweet and playful. Interested adopters may submit an adoption inquiry at mspca.org/bostonadopt or visit the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center during open hours, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.

The MSPCA would not be able to help Bob and hundreds of other animals in need without its generous donors! Please consider giving today at mspca.org/donate.

The MSPCA-Angell is holding a week-long, fee-waived “Home for the Holidays” adoptathon for all dogs over the age of one. Beginning Monday, December 4, adoption fees for adult dogs will be waived at all four of the MSPCA’s Adoption Centers in Boston, Salem, Methuen, and Centerville on Cape Cod.

The event comes amid an ongoing dog population crisis that is putting thousands of dogs across the country at risk of euthanasia for nothing more than lack of a home.

“Eliminating barriers to adoption is a really important part of helping ease this crisis,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Mike Keiley. “Given the economy, it’s likely that fees are preventing some people from adopting, so we’re excited to have the opportunity to waive those for an entire week.”

The event is sponsored by Bissell Pet Foundation.

Adoption fees for adult dogs range from $350 to $500—fees that will be waived during the Home for the Holidays event, which begins Monday, December 4 and runs through Sunday, December 10 at all MSPCA Adoption Centers. Interested adopters are encouraged to view eligible dogs at mspca.org/adoptadog and visit shelter open hours, which vary by location.

More information on the adoptathon may be found at mspca.org/feewaived.

The MSPCA-Angell is seeking very special adopters for a unique 11-week-old kitten named “Gumby” who came to Massachusetts on November 11 from the SPCA of Texas in search of medical treatment and a loving home.

“We’ve never seen a cat quite like this,” said Dr. Rebecca Fellman, MSPCA-Angell lead clinician of community and shelter medicine. “Both of Gumby’s back legs are severely deformed with muscle contracture that limits his joint mobility, but he still manages to get around—often on all fours.”

Shelter staff say that Gumby is able to walk and use the litterbox in his current condition.

“At this point, he isn’t developing any sores, and it looks like surgery may not significantly improve his mobility, so it doesn’t make sense to put him through what will be a painful process at this time,” Fellman added.

The MSPCA is looking for adopters who are willing to take on the unique challenges that come with adopting a kitten with Gumby’s medical needs. They should have a close relationship with a veterinarian.

Those interested in adopting Gumby may submit an inquiry at mspca.org/gumby. Those who are not in a position to adopt, but would still like to help, are asked to consider donating at mspca.org/donate.

The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is calling for adopters following the surrender of 48 animals from a single home in Hampden County. The animals, which were surrendered on November 10, include dogs, cats, rats, chinchillas, and birds.

“The circumstances around which the animals came to us are under investigation,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Mike Keiley. “But the most pressing thing for us right now is finding them the loving new homes they deserve.”

The surrender follows an MSPCA Law Enforcement investigation. The organization cannot comment on the case at this time.

The 24 cats that were surrendered vary in age, between roughly four-months to 13-years-old. The six dogs are all mixes of small breeds, including Chihuahua, Schnauzer, and Terrier. Their ages range from one to 10-years-old. Additionally, the MSPCA is looking for adopters for 13 birds, three rats, and two chinchillas.

These animals are available for adoption at the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm Adoption Center. They will be added to the MSPCA’s available animal page as they become available for adoption. Interested adopters should monitor that page and visit the shelter’s open hours Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 3:00 p.m.

Caring for these animals is expected to cost $10,000. Those who would like to donate to help offset that cost may do so at mspca.org/donate.

A dog population crisis that began unfolding earlier this year is worsening, despite ongoing efforts to address it by the MSPCA-Angell and others, putting thousands more dogs at risk of euthanasia, the organization announced today.

New data from Shelter Animals Count, which tracks animal shelter data across the country, show that euthanasia rates are 22% higher this year than last year—with 96,000 more dogs expected to be euthanized for nothing more than lack of an adoptive home. And, without serious intervention, that rate is expected to continue climbing into 2024.

“We saw this coming and have been working for months to try to reduce the risk for dogs across the country,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell and board chair of Shelter Animals Count.

“The fact that we’ve found homes for hundreds of dogs in just a matter of months without making a significant impact in this crisis speaks to how bleak this reality is—and how critical it is not only for us to continue what we’re doing, but for other animal welfare organizations to join in as well.”

Keiley estimates the MSPCA will transport roughly 300 more dogs to Massachusetts now through December, while also continuing to accept local surrenders, which he notes are up nearly 40% this year compared to last.

“Our staff has been burning the candle at both ends working to care for and rehome the more than one-thousand dogs we’ve taken in through relocation and local surrender since June,” Keiley expounded. “But we can’t, and we won’t, slow down until this crisis does.”

To help find more dogs the loving new homes they deserve, the MSPCA will continue to hold special adoption events through year’s end—and will continue them into 2024 as well. Those interested in adopting now may view available dogs at mspca.org/adoptadog or visit any of the MSPCA’s four shelters during open hours to talk to staff. Those who are interested in helping, but not in a position to adopt, may donate to help care for all these dogs and bring more to safety in Massachusetts at mspca.org/dogcrisis.