Nine Shelters Seek to Get 100+ Dogs Homes for the Holidays During Weeklong Event
BOSTON, Dec. 5, 2025 – The MSPCA-Angell and five of its shelter partners are waiving adoption fees for all dogs aged one and older next week as they seek to find at least 100 dogs homes for the holidays, the organizations announced today.
The event—called Snow Place Like Home—begins Monday, December 8 and runs through Sunday, December 14 at all four MSPCA-Angell shelters, as well as Berkshire Humane Society, Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Care and Control, Baypath Humane Society and Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. It comes as the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition approaches a major milestone in dog adoptions.
“We started the coalition last year with the goal of reducing euthanasia in shelters across the state and improving the overall wellbeing of animals that call the Commonwealth home,” explained Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division.
“A big part of that is lowering the barriers to adoption that prevent people that could be amazing pet owners from coming to shelters, and cost is a huge barrier for many people, especially in tough economies like we’ve seen recently.”
Since the formation of the coalition in July 2024, the group has held 10 dog adoption events.
“It’s the holiday season—a time when everyone, including these homeless pets—should be celebrating with family and surrounded by love,” Garabedian added. “If we’re able to hit our adoption goal, we will have collectively adopted out one-thousand dogs during these kinds of events—a truly remarkable achievement.”
‘Zeroing in’ on Adult Dogs
According to Garabedian, the slowdown in adoptions has hit adult dogs the hardest—especially larger breeds.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about adopting older dogs, like they can’t be playful or energetic,” she explained. “Likewise with bigger dogs, a lot of people assume they need hours of exercise a day, but all dogs are different.”
“When people used to come into shelters, they often wouldn’t even consider those kinds of pets, but through these fee-waived events, we’ve been able to connect with them and bust some of those myths.”
So far this year, 1,705 adult dogs have been adopted at MSPCA-Angell shelters—a 7% increase compared to 2024.
“It’s been incredibly gratifying to see so many dogs go to new homes and thrive there,” Garabedian expounded. “They’re living their best lives snuggling on couches, playing with new pet siblings, exploring the outdoors.”
“And we’ve been able to use that space in the shelters for other animals who need us.”
“We’re really hopeful that people are feeling the holiday spirit right now and have space in their hearts and homes to welcome a dog into their lives during this special event,” she added.
Snow Place Like Home!
During Snow Place Like Home, adoption fees will be waived for all dogs aged one and older at nine shelters across Massachusetts. It begins Monday, December 8 and runs through Sunday, December 14. Hours vary by location:
- MSPCA-Angell Boston Adoption Center: Tuesday – Thursday and Sunday, noon – 3:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon – 4:00 p.m.
- MSPCA-Angell at Nevins Farm: Tuesday – Sunday, noon – 4:30 p.m.
- MSPCA-Angell Cape Cod Adoption Center: Tuesday – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- MSPCA-Angell Northeast Animal Shelter: Daily, 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Worcester Animal Rescue League: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, noon – 4:00 p.m. Open by appointment on Tuesday and Friday-Sunday
- Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, noon – 3:30 p.m. Saturday, by appointment
- Boston Animal Care and Control: Contact the shelter at 617-635-1800 to inquire about a dog
- Berkshire Humane Society: Fill out an application here and visit Tuesday, Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Baypath Humane Society: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Appointments are also available for adopters who fill out questionnaires on the bio of the dog they’re interested in
More information is available at mspca.org/dogs. MSPCA-Angell adoption fees are being partially subsidized by Encore Realty.
Those who would like to donate to support events like this and help care for thousands of animals in need are asked to give at mspca.org/match2025.
