In June 2024, the Merrimac Police Department and the MSPCA Law Enforcement responded to a home after receiving reports of animal overcrowding. In the house, split between the upstairs and basement, they found 61 boxer dogs, ranging from puppies to seniors, confined to crates in unsanitary living conditions.
Developing a Plan – and Fast
“We were initially called in to assist the Merrimac police draft the warrant, with Staff Attorney Lynsey Legier from our Advocacy team and MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer Martha Parkhurst collaborating on this task,” explained Mike Keiley, Vice President of the Animal Protection Division at the MSPCA-Angell. “However, by the time they realized the number of dogs was potentially much larger than anticipated, they were only 24 hours away from warrant execution without a solid plan for removal, transport, or housing.”
Luckily, the MSPCA-Angell staff had already developed a strategy for such an event in 2023 to help mitigate long-term shelter capacity issues so they could keep the kennels open for local intake, including animals arriving as a result of law enforcement activities and relocation. The strategy involved adoption events. “And it just so happened we had concluded an adoption event the week prior, which afforded us enough space to absorb these dogs,” said Keiley. “Had we not done that, we would not have been able to receive them all.”
The teams quickly developed an intake plan to assist the rescued boxers within 24 hours. Officer Parkhurst facilitated the process, leveraging her expertise to effectively navigate the transition from seizure to surrender. “If seized, the dogs would have had to be held as live evidence until the court case was resolved, which could take six months or more, and prevent adoption during that time,” said Keiley. “So we relied on Officer Parkhurst to do what she could do to find a new pathway.”
On Their Way to Better Health and Homes
The MSPCA-Angell’s Director of Community Outreach, Alyssa Krieger, wasted no time jumping into action after the warrant was executed. She recalled how teams from all four of MSPCA-Angell’s shelters and the entire Animal Protection Division combined their efforts to confront the immense undertaking. “Some of the dogs were so terrified that they couldn’t walk and were unaccustomed to leashes, requiring each one to be carefully carried out one by one,” she said.
The dedicated MSPCA-Angell teams worked long hours, conducting initial medical evaluations and creating space for these unexpected guests. Most of the boxers were thin but in reasonably good shape, but a few still needed immediate medical attention.
“One of the most urgent cases was Ruffles, an older female dog,” said Krieger. “Ruffles suffered from painful, severely infected ears. Our veterinary team recommended bilateral Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) surgery, an advanced procedure to remove both of her damaged ear canals.” Additionally, another boxer had a mass on the side of her body that required surgical removal, along with significant dental surgery. “Each rescued dog required vaccinations, deworming, microchipping, spaying or neutering, and basic veterinary care,” added Krieger.
Rescue Is a Team Effort
“The entire MSPCA-Angell team executed the large intake process with exceptional precision,” said Keiley. Everyone collaborated seamlessly, from Law Enforcement and Community Outreach to the shelter and behavior teams. The veterinary teams efficiently expedited exams, while the adoption center teams implemented effective fast-tracking strategies for the most adoptable dogs. “This ensured that the most behaviorally and medically stable pups were adopted before the end of the week,” he added.
This rapid processing was crucial, as it allowed the teams to maintain uninterrupted availability for local surrenders, transfers, and out-of-state relocations. “Additionally, our foster teams dedicated themselves to placing mothers, puppies, and the most medically and behaviorally vulnerable animals into foster care for their extended journey,” recalled Keiley. “This effort exemplifies the power of interdepartmental collaboration, leading to optimal outcomes for the animals in crisis with minimal disruption to our programs,” he said. (It was important to minimize time in the shelters and maximize time in a loving home environment!)
Donors Make a Difference
The successful boxer rescue operation in June was a powerful example of the impact of collaboration and solidarity within the MSPCA-Angell community. It brought together law enforcement personnel, specialized transport vehicles, experienced professionals, dedicated veterinary care, fostering teams, and passionate adoption staff and volunteers working towards a common goal.
But it also called attention to the generosity of the MSPCA-Angell donors. “Having this many animals come into our care so quickly is extremely taxing on all our resources,” said Keiley. “This event was truly a massive endeavor with the surrender of 61 large breed dogs. It’s the largest single surrender of dogs in many years, and witnessing all the teams coming together to assist these animals was incredibly inspiring. And the crucial role of donors cannot be emphasized enough, as they made this monumental effort possible,” he added.
“MSPCA-Angell donors wholeheartedly support these surrenders in every way, providing much-needed funds to ensure we can provide for their day-to-day care as well as support any complex medical needs they may have,” added Deborah Bobek, Director of Operations, Boston Animal Care and Adoption Centers and Community Clinic at the MSPCA-Angell. “The MSPCA-Angell’s teamwork and dedication, combined with the generosity and support from our donors, can help transform dire situations into hopeful outcomes and new possibilities.”
If you’re interested in adopting a dog and expanding your family, please visit mspca.org/adopt.
