Shift Follows Evacuation of Adoptable Pets to Other MSPCA-Angell Shelters
Centerville, Mass., Feb. 25, 2026 – The MSPCA-Angell is opening the doors of its Cape Cod Adoption Center to temporarily house animals who need a warm place to go amid ongoing power outages following the major blizzard on February 23.
The organization was forced to evacuate adoptable animals from the space the afternoon of February 24 when it was unclear whether it would be able to obtain diesel fuel needed to keep its generators running.
“Like much of the Cape, our shelter lost power during Monday’s storm,” explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “We were really low on fuel, and it looked like our generator would shut down at midnight.”
To ensure that all animals in its care would remain safe, the MSPCA-Angell moved them from the Cape shelter to its other locations. Three dogs were brought to Nevins Farm in Methuen and the remaining animals—22 cats, seven dogs, five kittens, six rats, and five guinea pigs—were brought to the Boston Adoption Center.
“While we evacuated the animals, we also put out a call to the community for help,” Keiley elaborated. “Thankfully, we were able to get fuel to keep the generator running.”
Given that space was already open and thousands of homes on Cape Cod remain without power, the MSPCA-Angell decided to pivot and use that space as a resource for residential pets in need.
SafePet: Temporary Housing for Residential Pets Amid Natural Disasters
The doors of the MSPCA-Angell Cape Cod Adoption Center are now open to temporarily house animals whose homes are uninhabitable due to power outages and other issues related to the February 23 blizzard.
“A lot of people will remain in houses without power where they’re freezing because they can’t bring their pets to a shelter or other temporary housing,” said Keiley. “We’re grateful to be in a position to offer this resource so that people don’t have to choose to be unsafe in order to do what they believe is best for their pets.”
Through the SafePet program, which provides temporary housing for owned animals impacted by natural disasters and domestic violence, pets will be allowed to remain in the MSPCA-Angell’s care until they are able to return home.
“We’re going to do everything we can to accommodate every animal in need,” Keiley expounded. “Even if space fills up at our Cape shelter, we’ll activate space at our other locations.”
How to Help—And Get Help
Those in need of temporary housing for the pets in the Cape Cod area are asked to call 508-775-0940 or email cape@mspca.org.
“We’re fortunate to have a lot of space open, especially for cats, thanks to our expanded relocation space,” Keiley said. “If people have burst pipes or other damage that’ll take a while to repair, we can also set up temporary foster for their pets.”
Those who would like to donate to support the MSPCA-Angell amid these efforts are asked to give at mspca.org/EmergencyCape.
“Our hope is to return the Cape shelter to normal operations tomorrow [February 26], while maintaining space for owned pets in temporary housing,” he added, noting that dogs are being housed in offices in the MSPCA-Angell’s Boston Adoption Center to maximize available space.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to be there for people and pets in need, and we’re extremely grateful to our supporters who help make that possible!”
