Latest news with #MassachusettsSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimals
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MSPCA to waive adoption fee for farm animals this weekend
METHUEN, Mass. (WPRI) — The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is waiving adoption fees for dozens of farm animals this weekend in an effort to free up space at Nevins Farm. This comes after 147 farm animals, including pigs, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys and dogs, were removed from a single property in Franklin County back in April. The MSPCA said some of those farm animals have given birth since arriving at Nevins Farm, meaning capacity and resources are stretched thin. 'All told, we ended up with more than 150 animals from this case,' MSPCA-Angell's Mike Keiley said. 'Obviously following that kind of intake, our resources are really being pushed to the brink.' RELATED: MSPCA rehabilitating severely emaciated horse 'This was a massive undertaking — we took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Methuen,' he continued. 'It was all hands on deck … Bringing in close to a dozen different species, including cattle and horses, and housing them is incredibly complicated.' Keiley estimated that there are currently more than 300 animals living at Nevins Farm. 'We need to find homes for a lot of these animals and fast,' Keiley said. 'We typically see more cases of neglect in turbulent economic times and, given what we're already seeing with the increasing costs of hay and feed, I expect more animals will need to come to Nevins soon.' 'But we won't have space for them unless we're able to adopt out many of the animals already in our care,' he added. The Franklin County property was also where Astrid, a 2-year-old Percheron Filly, was discovered lying down in a field. 'Astrid was in dire need of medical attention when she came to us, and she ended up needing to spend more than a week in the hospital,' Keiley said. Keiley said the young horse is doing well and will be available for adoption soon. But her prolonged hospitalization, on top of caring for the other farm animals removed from the property, has already cost Nevins Farm roughly $25,000. 'The costs are adding up quickly,' Keiley said. The investigation into the farm animals' former owner is ongoing. It's unclear whether any charges have been filed. The MSPCA will be waiving adoption fees for pigs, goats, chickens and other fowl June 7 and 8. Keiley said the goal is to adopt out about 120 farm animals in just two days. 'It's a huge goal, but it's what we need to do in order to be there for the next animals who need us,' he said. Those interested in adopting are encouraged to register in advance and swing by the farm either day between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to donate to the farm animals' care can do so online at any time. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Do you know this dog? MSPCA needs info about emaciated poodle found on highway
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals hopes the public can help provide information about a young poodle-mix found matted and emaciated on Interstate 495 in Lawrence now in the group's care. Called Willie, the pup was originally brought to the group's Nivens Farm location in neighboring Methuen on May 19, according to MSPCA-Angell. However, MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler said in a statement that 'it was immediately clear that he needed advanced treatment.' Read More: Western Mass. pup with severe heart condition to receive life-saving surgery Willie was driven to the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, where he has since been receiving 'around-the-clock care,' according to Schindler. MSPCA-Angell, citing staff in its critical care unit, said Willie's prognosis is 'not yet clear.' Veterinarians indicated Willie 'likely has pneumonia' upon further examination. Schindler said that Willie was also suffering from extreme dehydration and 'appeared to have neurological problems, which we're hoping is related to those other issues.' 'Only time will tell if he'll respond to treatment,' Schindler added. 'Right now, we're focused on trying to help this poor dog recover and also learn how he came to be in the condition he's in.' Read More: Second Chance says economic squeeze is pushing pets out of homes, into shelters 'What we do know is that Willie is getting the best care possible at Angell, and we're fortunate to have access to those resources,' Schindler said. MSPCA law enforcement are investigating to learn any information about Willie's history and how he ended up on the highway in his condition. Schindler said the case is 'challenging' due to investigators 'starting from scratch.' He added that the public's help is invaluable to get to the bottom of Willie's case. Anyone with information about Willie's history or owner is asked to contact the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department at 617-522-6008, or at 800-628-5808, where information can be left anonymously. Read More: Why only 6 Mass. pet shops sell puppies (and why they might be the last) Tips can also be submitted online at Willie is benefitting from access to the Pet Care Assistance fund to help cover the costs of his care and treatment. For those who wish to donate to support Willie's care, they can visit the MSPCA's devoted webpage. Man found guilty of killing Mass. couple in drunken driving crash from 2021 CDC: Lead from phone lines is highly concentrated in Springfield manhole muck West Springfield buys old Walgreens for police station Top Springfield cop pledges to fulfill consent decree reforms, as similar pacts end across US Springfield to remember fallen veterans in Friday ceremony Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
MSPCA seeking owner of emaciated dog found on highway
BOSTON (WPRI) — The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) is asking for the public's assistance finding the owner of an emaciated dog that was found on the side of the highway earlier this week. The young Poodle-mix, named Willie, was brought to Nevins Farm on Monday by a driver who saw him on Route 495 in Lawrence. 'Willie was matted and emaciated when he was brought in,' MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler said. 'He was initially examined by a clinic veterinarian in Methuen, and it was immediately clear that he needed advanced treatment.' Willie was then rushed to the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, where he's receiving around-the-clock care. His prognosis is not yet clear, according to the MSPCA. 'Angell veterinarians found him to be emaciated and extremely dehydrated,' Schindler said. 'He also appeared to have neurological problems, which we're hoping is related to those other issues.' 'Right now, we're focused on trying to help this poor dog recover and also learn how he came to be in the condition he's in,' he continued. (Story continues below.) Schindler said veterinarians have also discovered that Willie likely has pneumonia. 'His care team says Willie sometimes responds like a sick dog would in normal circumstances, but he's often very quiet and dull, which isn't normal,' Schindler explained. 'It's still early days, though, so we're in wait and see mode.' Schindler is asking anyone who may have information on Willie's owner or history is urged to contact the MSPCA Law Enforcement Department by calling (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online. 'These cases are challenging because we're starting from scratch,' Schindler said. 'That's why we really need the community's help here to learn how this poor pup got into the condition he was in when he came to us.' The MSPCA is covering the cost of Willie's medical care through the Pet Care Assistance fund. Anyone who wishes to make a donation toward Willie's care can do so by clicking here. 'Cases like this — with days of intensive care needed — are extremely expensive, so we need support now more than ever,' Schindler said. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
44 rabbits rescued from Bristol County up for adoption
BOSTON (WPRI) — More than 40 rabbits removed from a Bristol County home earlier this year are searching for their forever homes, according to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). MSPCA-Angell's Mike Keiley said the 44 rabbits were surrendered by their former owner, who is facing animal cruelty charges. Keiley said the rabbits were 'subjected to unsanitary conditions.' 'Despite their previous situation, the rabbits are really sweet,' Keiley said. 'We know that many people are thinking about bunnies given how close we are to Easter, so we're putting out a call to them: If you're considering adopting a rabbit, now's the time, despite what some persistent internet myths may suggest.' Keiley said those myths about rabbit adoptions around Easter can negatively impact their chances of finding their forever homes. 'There's this misguided belief that people who want to adopt rabbits around Easter aren't actually committed to caring for them and will just end up abandoning them outside or surrendering them to a shelter,' Keiley said. 'People who are considering getting a rabbit often think about doing so now, just given the season, and there's no shame in that.' 'We want people to come in and adopt because they'll still talk to an adoption counselor to see if a rabbit is a good fit for their family, and we don't see them being surrendered at higher rates,' he continued. 'In our experience, the myths and the stigmas those create are actually more harmful to rabbits than anything about the time of year they're adopted, just like black cat adoptions around Halloween.' The Bristol County rabbits range in age — with some being as young as 8 weeks old — and are mostly larger breeds, including Californian, Chinchilla and Rex. 'People often shy away from adopting larger breeds because they think they'll be harder to hold and more difficult for kids to manage, but we often find that they're more docile than some smaller breeds,' Keiley explained. The Bristol County bunnies will need to be spayed or neutered prior to being adopted. 'Rabbits are great pets — they can be litter box trained and have a similar relationship with people as cats and dogs,' Keiley said. 'That includes how they share their home; they don't need to be kept in cages all the time.' Anyone interested in adopting a rabbit can visit the following MSPCA shelters during normal business hours: Boston Adoption Center: Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. MSPCA at Nevins Farm: Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. Cape Cod Adoption Center: Tuesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man facing 100+ animal cruelty charges held without bail
STURBRIDGE, Mass. (WPRI) — The Marlboro man facing dozens of animal cruelty charges after nearly 100 dead animals were discovered at a Sturbridge property he was renting faced a judge Tuesday. Andrew Sebastiano was ordered held without bail pending his next court date, which is slated for later this month, according to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA). RELATED: Man charged after nearly 100 dead animals found at Sturbridge property Sebastiano was taken into custody last week and charged with 96 counts of animal cruelty and 96 counts of animal cruelty by custodian. The MSPCA said 96 dead animals, including chickens, geese, pigs, ducks and rabbits, were found at his rental property on March 19. Investigators believe Sebastiano left the property in February and never returned to care for the animals. Sebastiano's pet dog was taken from him at the time of his arrest and officially surrendered to the MSPCA at his court appearance. The MSPCA will soon be putting the 8-month-old Australian Cattle Dog, now named Foxy, up for adoption. 'Foxy hasn't been in our care for very long, so we're still getting to know her, but she's doing really well,' MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler said. Schindler said Foxy still needs to be spayed and receive some behavioral support before she's ready to meet her new family. He expects her to be available for adoption sometime next week. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
