Organization Extends Special Adoption Events Through Year’s End with Nationwide Threat to Dogs Looming Large
BOSTON, Sept. 11, 2023 – The MSPCA-Angell found homes for 732 dogs from June 1 through August 31—the most ever during that period in the organization’s more than 150-year history, it announced today.
“The community has really rallied around this crisis,” said Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell director of adoption centers and programs.
“Finding homes for so many dogs this summer not only allowed us to keep up our robust transport schedule, we also increased the number of dogs we brought here, which provided much-needed relief to shelters in other parts of the country that are overwhelmed by the number of dogs in their care.”
The MSPCA transported 485 dogs to Massachusetts from out-of-state this summer, a nearly 30% increase over the same period last year.
“Relocation is a lifeline that many destination shelters have unfortunately needed to cut back or stop completely because they don’t have space for more dogs,” Keiley added. “We’ve also had many dogs in our care, but we haven’t needed to make those tough choices, and we’re really grateful to the community for that.”
A Complete Effort
In addition to the transported dogs, the MSPCA took in 360 dogs via local surrender this summer—a 32% increase over summer 2022.
“We also took in dogs from local animal control departments that were overwhelmed,” Keiley elaborated. “This slowdown in adoptions is impacting everyone in our field.”
“We set out this summer with a goal of helping as many dogs as we possibly could, and, thanks to the people who’ve stepped up and adopted, we’ve been able to keep up a relentless momentum,” he added.
“Unfortunately, the crisis hasn’t slowed down, so we can’t either.”
Dog Adopters Desperately Needed in Down Economy
To continue fighting the ongoing crisis, the MSPCA is extending its planned slate of special adoption events through year’s end, beginning with the Awwtumn Dog Adoptathon, a fee-reduced adoptathon for large breed dogs aged one and older.
“We want to do everything we can to eliminate barriers to adoption, and a big roadblock for many right now is cost,” said Keiley. “The down economy and inflation are already forcing people to cut back, and soon many will also have to restart the student loan payments that were paused for over three years.”
During the week-long event—September 11 through September 17—those dogs will be available to adopt for $100, a savings of at least $250 that can be put toward the care of these new pets.
“These kind of events come at a cost for our own operating budget,” Keiley elaborated. “But it’s critical that we find homes for more dogs, so we’re doing everything we can to make that happen.”
More information about the adoptathon may be found at mspca.org/dogs.
Bringing Down More Barriers to Adoption
Another roadblock for many adopters is their living situation—the many landlords and building associations that do not allow dogs of certain breeds or sizes.
“Far too many public and private properties are denying housing to people based on long outdated and disproven stereotypes of certain dog breeds,” said MSPCA Advocacy Director Kara Holmquist.
“We need people to rally behind the bill on Beacon Hill that would eliminate these barriers and help get more dogs homes,” she added.
More information on the housing bill may be found at mspca.org/housing.
