Dogs Expected to Arrive at the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem on September 9
Salem, Mass., Sept. 9, 2025 – The MSPCA at Northeast Animal Shelter will soon welcome in nearly a dozen Chihuahua-Dachshund mixed breed dogs to Massachusetts from South Carolina, where they were found running loose at a busy intersection after suspected abandonment.
The dogs, which range in age from two-to-five years old, were among 17 caught by Berkeley County Animal Control Officers in late August and brought to the Charleston Animal Society’s Berkeley campus. A small dog was also found dead in the street nearby, and authorities believe it may have been hit by a car.
Veterinarians at the South Carolina shelter examined the dogs and found them to be underweight with long toenails and fleas. Some also had skin disease and hair loss. Given that the shelter was already dealing with capacity problems, the MSPCA-Angell was called in for help.
Pushing Capacity to the Limits
“We have an existing transport relationship with Charleston [Animal Society], so they knew immediately that they could reach out to us when they took in so many dogs unexpectedly,” explained Josie Waldron, animal relocation manager at the Northeast Animal Shelter.
“Our capacity has also been tight recently though, and the space we cleared from our successful dog adoption event has already been filled due to the continuing increase in surrenders, as well as animals coming in through Law Enforcement cases,” she detailed. “But when a partner like Charleston reaches out with a great need, we do whatever we can to help.”
“Now, we absolutely need adopters to come in and take some of the dogs in our care home, so we can continue to be here for people and pets who need us both in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the country.”
Small Dogs’ Big Journey
The nine Chihuahua-Dachshunds are scheduled to arrive in Salem on Tuesday, September 9 along with six other dogs in a ground transport coordinated with the SaveDog Project.
“We know that these dogs have been through a lot, so we’re excited to welcome them into our care,” said Waldron. “We hope to quickly get them any medical treatment that they’ll need and assess what kind of homes would be best for them, which would ultimately allow us to place them with great new families shortly after they get here.”
Charleston staff described the dogs as shy, but noted that some appear to be friendly.
“Before they’re ready for adoption, the dogs will need to serve out their state-mandated [48-hour] quarantine. They’ll also need to be spayed or neutered, and we’ll give them any other care they need as well.”
Interested adopters are asked to monitor the MSPCA-Angell’s social media accounts for updates. Those who would like to donate to support the care of these new arrivals, as well as the MSPCA-Angell’s animal relocation program, are asked to give at mspca.org/SCpups.
