More Than 150 Animals Vaccinated and Microchipped During First Three Clinics
Springfield, Mass., Nov. 1, 2024 – The MSPCA-Angell is celebrating a major milestone in the establishment of the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition—152 animals vaccinated and microchipped in the organization’s first clinics since it expanded its Community Outreach program to Springfield.
“One of the things that makes the [MASS] coalition special is that we’re able to work with individual shelters to address specific issues and challenges impacting their areas, which can vary widely across the state,” explained Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division.
“Over the past few years, shelters in Springfield have been reporting a significant increase in community disease outbreaks with illnesses that can easily be vaccinated against—Parvovirus in dogs and Panleukopenia in cats—but a lot of resources are needed to address that, and considering the staffing challenges most shelters are dealing with, we felt like we could—and should—extend our program to help out.”
MSPCA Community Outreach Expands to Springfield!
“Our Community Outreach team works to build relationships with pet owners who need a little extra help, getting them access to necessary care for their animals, like vaccines and affordable spay/neuter,” Keiley explained.
“In speaking with TJO [Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center] and Dakin [Dakin Humane Society] in the early stages of the coalition, it was apparent that the Springfield area needed more resources to help both owned and stray animals—something that our Community Outreach team has the perfect background to provide.”
The MSPCA Community Outreach expansion officially kicked off during a free vaccine clinic on October 1 in Springfield in which 51 animals received the potentially lifesaving shots, as well as microchips that will help ensure they are reunited with their families should they get lost.
“The response to our first clinic was amazing,” expounded Keiley. “Our team is getting into the Springfield community and meeting people there who are eager for the services we can offer that not only improve the health and wellbeing of their pets, but also other animals in the area.”
Two other clinics were held in October in which 101 dogs and cats received vaccines and microchips.
The Springfield Community Outreach team is currently planning future clinics. More information on the MSPCA’s Community Outreach program may be found at mspca.org/communityoutreach.
Increased Access to Affordable—and Specialty—Veterinary Care
“There’s a nationwide shortage of veterinarians and technicians that’s led to a dearth of affordable care in a lot of areas,” said Keiley. “We recognized this issue in Springfield, and, through the coalition, immediately took steps to address it.”
The MSPCA-Angell recently hired a veterinarian to increase access to basic veterinary care, like vaccines and microchips, for owned animals in the area, as well as those awaiting adoption at TJO and Dakin.
“While it’s wonderful to bolster basic veterinary care in the area, there are still many animals in shelters who need more complex treatments before they’re ready for adoption. Now, as part of the coalition, we’re able to identify those animals and get them to facilities with advanced resources.”
Such was the case for Jameson and Isabella, two special dogs who traveled close to 100 miles to get the care they needed.
Complex Care Leads to Loving Homes
Jameson, a two-year-old English Bulldog, and Isabella, a two-year-old long haired Chihuahua, were living at TJO when staff there realized that they would need complex surgeries in order to live the happy lives they deserve.
“Both these dogs needed FHOs [femoral head ostectomy surgeries], which is a hip procedure that will eventually allow them to live pain free,” Keiley explained.
The dogs were transferred to the MSPCA’s Boston Adoption Center and have since undergone successful surgery.
“We [the MSPCA-Angell] are lucky to have access to amazing veterinarians and support staff across our clinics and hospitals, and we’re grateful to be in a position to use those valuable resources to help animals like Jameson and Isabella who may not have otherwise been able to get the care they needed.”
“They’re just two of the many animals we expect to help at shelters across the coalition,” he added.
Isabella and Jameson were both adopted into loving homes following their surgeries and recoveries, but the MSPCA has many other dogs in its care looking for homes. It asks anyone with space in their hearts and homes consider adopting. Dogs available for adoption may be found at mspca.org/adoptadog.