PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The MSPCA-Angell and its Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition partners are holding special adoption events throughout late August and early September for a wide variety of species in order to free up much needed space in shelters throughout the state.

 

This includes the Berkshire Humane Society.

 

"These plans have been in the works for a while now, but were thrown off by Tropical Storm Debby," explained Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell vice president of animal protection, who pointed to the organization's transport of two dozen dogs from South Carolina on August 7.

 

The MSPCA-Angell is also expected to take in two additional transports of dogs from South Carolina, which are scheduled to arrive just ahead of the first of the coalition's trio of events—a fee-waived adoptathon for all dogs aged one and older—August 19 through August 25.

 

"Our own population of dogs is increasing, and we know that our coalition partners also have plenty of great dogs in their care that need a little boost," he added. "That's why we're starting with a special dog adoption event, even while our other coalition work gets underway, like behavior outreach and increasing veterinary resources in the Springfield area."

 

All four of the MSPCA's shelters in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod will be waiving adoption fees for all dogs aged one and older, as well as coalition partners Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL), Berkshire Humane Society, Dakin Humane Society, and Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO).

 

The organizations collectively hope to rehome at least 200 dogs during the seven-day event. Hours vary by location. More information may be found at mspca.org/feewaived.

 

Following the dog adoptathon, the MSPCA and other shelters will hold special cat and small animal adoptathons. 

 

Felineanomanon: a Special Cat Adoption Event begins August 26 and runs through August 30. Some cats will be available to adopt fee-free, including older cats, those with special medical or behavioral needs, working cats, and those with more particular personalities that are searching for hard-to-find home lifestyles.