Organization Breaks All-Time One-Month Record Even as 139 More Dogs are Transported to Massachusetts
BOSTON, Mass., June 30, 2023 – 250 dogs are now settling into loving homes, a record for the most placed in a single month in the MSPCA-Angell’s more than 150-year history, the organization announced today. The increased adoptions come as shelters across the country are facing a crisis—too many dogs and not enough adopters.
“We put out an urgent call for adopters last month, and people have really stepped up,” said MSPCA-Angell Director of Adoption Centers and Programs, Mike Keiley. “But it’s going to take more than one incredible month of adoptions to make a significant impact in this crisis.”
First Adoption Event a Success, Much Work Remains
“Between June 12 and June 18 we placed 100 dogs into adoptive homes—and that’s in addition to dozens of cats, farm animals and small pets that, combined, saw 255 animals adopted in one week,” added Keiley.
Keiley is especially proud of the team’s ability to find homes for so many large dogs, something that has become increasingly difficult in recent years.
“The U.S. shelter community is still struggling to adopt out large-breed dogs, causing them to languish in shelters, where they can be at greater risk of euthanasia.”
Pulling Out All Stops to Smash Barriers to Adoption
There is a bill under consideration on Beacon Hill that would help address this crisis by eliminating some of the major barriers stopping people from adopting a dog, according to MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist.
“Both public and private properties are denying housing to people who have dogs of a certain size or breed,” Holmquist said. “On top of this, insurance companies often deny coverage based on breed, regardless of whether a particular dog has any past history of biting.”
“These biases are based on long outdated and disproven stereotypes of certain dog breeds,” she added. “Dogs, like people, should be judged on the individuals they are, not on these preconceived notions.”
Keiley noted that, of the MSPCA’s four shelters, Boston had the lowest number of dog adoptions in June—something he believes is related to these barriers.
“Many potential adopters came in and expressed interest,” he explained. “But they weren’t able to complete an adoption because of needless restrictions against bully breeds and large dogs in their apartments.”
The bill is currently awaiting a hearing before the Joint Committee on Housing. More information about it may be found at www.mspca.org/housing.
Adoption Events Continue Throughout the Summer
To continue encouraging dog adoptions, the MSPCA is holding another special dog adoption event—titled “Go Big AND Go Home”—from July 10 through July 16. Adoption fees will be waived for all large breed dogs aged one and older. More information can be found at www.mspca.org/dogs.
Those who wish to donate to help the MSPCA save more dogs and care for those in its shelters may do so at www.mspca.org/dogcrisis.
