MSPCA-Cape Cod Unveils Plans for New Animal Shelter in Centerville

BOSTON and Centerville, Mass. Oct. 28, 2014 – Homeless animals and their advocates on Cape Cod are set to realize a major milestone: the building of a new, much larger animal care and adoption center to replace the existing MSPCA-Cape Cod shelter in Centerville, the organization announced today.

The MSPCA has raised—by way of a capital campaign already underway–$1.2 million of the roughly $5 million required to build and operate the new facility.  And, like similar capital campaigns undertaken in previous years to finance the building of new facilities in Boston and Methuen, every dollar raised through this campaign will be earmarked for the new facility on Cape Cod—which is expected to be built in 2016.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for the animals in our care, as well as our community of donors, staff and volunteers who for the last 45 years have housed and cared for an increasing number of animals in a space that is now completely inadequate for our needs,” said Mary Sarah Fairweather, director of the MSPCA-Cape Cod.  “Our vision is to create not just a world-class animal care and adoption facility but to grow our base of services we can offer to the community as well.”

The inside view of the new proposed adoption center that promises more space, species-specific habitat and lots of natural light (credit MSPCA-Angell)

Adoptions, dog training, community outreach and more
The design calls for a floor plan of approximately 10,000 square feet—double the size of the current facility—with optimal accommodations for animals and staff, an abundance of natural light and a variety of species-specific, stress-reducing arrangements.  “We’re currently squeezing animals into every available corner, which can be especially stressful for cats and other animals who need a space to call their own,” said Fairweather.

Fairweather said that some of the roughly 600 homeless cats surrendered to the shelter every year are housed in the adjacent house that currently serves as the administrative offices.

The new facility will include separate areas for staff and visitors to engage in adoption counseling and to manage the surrender of animals.  There will also be dedicated space for more effective medical and behavioral evaluations, including a modern treatment and sterilization center for shelter animals.

In addition, a large multi-purpose room for training and education programs will be built, which is urgently needed to reduce the homeless pet population on Cape Cod, and it will be an epicenter for innovative, ongoing training programs for owned dogs in the area.

Community Effort

According to Carter Luke, MSPCA-Angell president and longtime Cape Cod resident, the long term fundraising effort expected to culminate in the building of the new adoption center is made possible only through donations from animal lovers on Cape Cod.  “Our support for homeless animals on the Cape has never been stronger, and we see this endeavor as a critical step in ensuring our presence is commensurate with the need for animal care well into the future.”

All of the money raised via the capital campaign will be earmarked toward the construction of the new adoption center.  Readers who wish to contribute may do so by clicking here.

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The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement, and world-class veterinary care. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization. It does not receive any government funding nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization. The MSPCA-Angell relies solely on the support and contributions from individuals who care about animals. Please visit www.mspca.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mspcaangell