APRIL 28, 2024 | FEIXU CHEN
Breathing softly with gentle apprehension, Zoey, an eight-year-old mixed breed, cautiously approached the newcomers, her sensitivity evident in every tentative step. She was all too aware of her age and fragility, seeking only gentle strokes and quiet words of comfort.
"She reminds me of a dog that passed away many years ago," said Virginia, a senior citizen and one of Zoey's adopters. That's why Stella and I drove all the way down here to adopt her." Virginia and Stella are from Fitchburg and have been roommates for years. Both of them have a lot of experience raising dogs. They are confident that Zoey's sensitiveness won't be a problem. "I don't think Zoey is any different from other dogs, even if she's old. We wanted to give her another life, and she will give us so much back." Virginia added.Â
It's not uncommon for dogs of Zoey's age to be in shelters. "She's lucky. She was surrendered by a local shelter on April 2. Since then, we've received tons of inquiries about her," says Diana Lee, senior digital marketing director at MSPCA-Angell, one of the largest and second-oldest humane societies in the United States.
Nationwide, animal shelters are grappling with severe overpopulation issues. In 2023, National Animal Welfare Statistics data showed a staggering 6.5 million animals entered shelters, while just over 6 million found new homes. The data also highlighted a worrying increase of 177,000 animals awaiting shelter adoption between 2022 and 2023.
"Here in Massachusetts, we're fortunate to have a vast group of adopters. This not only allows us to manage all our local surrenders but also enables us to assist other regions facing severe overpopulation problems," Lee added.
MSPCA receives a significant number of animals from states like Florida, South Carolina, Texas, and Minnesota, each presenting a variety of age groups. "We regularly transport animals from states like South Carolina, where we've significantly reduced euthanasia rates through robust spay-neuter programs," Lee noted. This initiative helps reduce local shelter populations and alleviates the burden on shelters in other regions.
Recently, New York has experienced notable overpopulation issues. According to a New York Times article, the city's three shelters took in approximately 4,500 cats and 2,429 dogs in the first half of 2023, up from 3,900 cats and 1,976 dogs during the same period in 2022. In response, MSPCA, in collaboration with the ASPCA, has stepped in to help. "By working with Animal Care Centers, which runs New York City's public animal shelters, we aim to tackle the overpopulation crisis through direct action and preventive education," Lee explained.
On April 14, the first batch of 12 dogs arrived by van at the MSPCA-Angell Salem location. They were immediately quarantined in compliance with state law and then carefully examined by veterinary staff to determine their health status for adoption. "Our annual fee-waive events are more than just adoption opportunities; they catalyze community awareness and involvement. By engaging the community, we enhance the visibility of the issues and encourage more people to consider adoption," Lee said. These events are crucial in maintaining high adoption numbers and ensuring that animals quickly find homes. By April 14, the four MSPCA-Angell locations (Boston, Salem, Cape Cod, and Nevins Farm) had successfully placed 2,236 pets in new homes.
Deb Bobek, Director of Operations at MSPCA-Angell's Boston location, emphasized the importance of addressing national problems with local solutions. "In Boston, we concentrate on keeping people and pets together by offering low-cost spay-neuter services, which help control the pet population and support owners during financial or medical hardships," Bobek explained.
Bobek also discussed how climate affects breeding patterns, influencing the frequency and volume of animal births, particularly in warmer states like Texas and Florida. "Warmer climates experience extended breeding seasons, perpetuating the cycle of overpopulation. Our spay-neuter initiatives help mitigate these seasonal spikes," she said.
MSPCA-Angell's dual approach focuses on reducing the number of animals entering shelters through preventive measures while enhancing the adoption process to ensure animals do not remain in shelters for long. "Our adoption process is designed to be as inclusive as possible, ensuring that anyone who wants to adopt can do so without significant barriers," Bobek noted.
Furthermore, MSPCA-Angell's efforts extend to educational programs promoting responsible pet ownership. "We offer workshops and resources to prospective pet owners to ensure they understand their responsibilities, reducing the number of animals surrendered due to owner unpreparedness," Lee stated. Additionally, community support programs like pet food banks and temporary housing assistance prevent pet surrenders during economic downturns or personal crises. "By supporting the human side of the pet-human relationship, we ensure fewer animals are displaced from their homes," Bobek said.
Bobek also highlighted the role of technology in enhancing MSPCA-Angell's outreach and efficiency. "We use digital platforms to streamline the adoption process and reach a broader audience, which helps promote our animals and educate the public on ongoing issues and our efforts to resolve them," she added.
Lee proudly shared the results of these comprehensive programs: "Since implementing these initiatives, we've seen a marked improvement in the health and welfare of the animals in our care and a significant decrease in the number needing shelter."
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