Fees Waived for All Dogs Aged One and Older at 10 Shelters Across Massachusetts October 13—19
BOSTON, Oct. 10, 2025 – The MSPCA-Angell and six other animal welfare organizations in Massachusetts will soon hold a special Halloween-themed fee-waived adoptathon for all dogs aged one and older, the groups announced today.
The event—called Creep It Real: Adopt a New Boo! in honor of the spooky season—comes as shelters across the state grapple with a tough situation: High dog populations amid a slowdown in adoptions due to the end of summer vacation.
“We had great momentum over the summer, but as soon as animals go to new homes, those spaces are filled by others who need to come into our care,” explained Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division.
“We want to be able to always say yes to everyone who needs us, but in order to do that, we need to find homes for some of the dogs already in our care.”
Help Needed as Cages Fill
In the last three months, the MSPCA-Angell has taken in 430 dogs via local surrender and 437 through its regular out-of-state transport program.
“Our transport program is a lifeline for our shelter partners in other parts of the country where homeless animal populations are higher and there are fewer adoptive homes,” Garabedian expounded. “We don’t want to abandon those animals in need even when we’re seeing increases in local surrender, especially now that we’re in hurricane season when many shelters need natural disaster relief.”
Last year, the MSPCA-Angell took in 60% of all cats and dogs transported into Massachusetts from out-of-state, including more than 150 animals rescued from natural disasters like the deadly storms Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby.
“A huge part of helping animals find homes faster—which is key to having the space needed to help other animals in need—is lowering barriers to adoption, and fee-waived events like this one are a key piece of that.”
“We’re hoping that people hear our call and come out to give some amazing dogs the loving homes they deserve!”
Creep It Real: Adopt a New Boo!
All four MSPCA-Angell shelters—in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod—are participating in the adoptathon, as well as Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition members Berkshire Humane Society, Boston Animal Care and Control, Worcester Animal Rescue League, and Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center. Fees will also be waived at non-coalition partners Lowell Humane Society and Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton.
“Between all 10 shelters, we’ve really got much of Massachusetts covered,” said Garabedian. “We’re hoping we can find homes for at least 100 dogs across all locations, which we know is a lofty goal, but we’ve got great support in the community, so we’re optimistic.”
MSPCA-Angell adoption fees are being partially subsidized by Melkonian’s North Reading Subaru, Atlantic Subaru in Bourne, Autofair Subaru in Haverhill, and CitySide Subaru in Belmont.
“We’re grateful to our corporate partners for supporting our mission and helping find homes for dogs in need,” she added.
The adoptathon begins Monday, October 13 and runs through Sunday, October 19. Hours vary by location. More information may be found at mspca.org/dogs.
