MSCPA to waive fees during 'Missed Connections' adoption event
BOSTON (WWLP) – The MSPCA and their partners throughout Massachusetts are holding special fee-waived adoptions for dogs next week.
This Massachusetts animal shelter says it's full, needs help with adoptions
They say they have a ton of dogs in their care, and their partners are dealing with capacity issues. The shelters hope to rehome 100 dogs across the MSPCA shelters in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod, as well as Baypath Humane Society, Boston Animal Control, Berkshire Humane Society, Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, and Worcester Animal Rescue League.
'Right now, we've got a ton of dogs in our care, and we know that our partners are dealing with the same capacity crunch,' explained Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division. 'Valentine's Day often elicits feelings of love and companionship, things we really want our dogs to experience, so it's the perfect time to call for adopters.'
As Valentine's Day brings about feelings of love and companionship, it may be the perfect time to adopt a furry friend. The event begins Monday and will run through next Sunday, February 23rd.
Fees will be waived during their 'Missed Connections' adoption event for all dogs aged one and older, and includes those at the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Shelter, here in western Massachusetts. For hours and more information, visit their website.
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Scouting America Western Massachusetts honors leaders at annual dinner
HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The 'Scouting America Western Massachusetts Council' held its annual distinguished citizen dinner Wednesday evening in Holyoke. Eversource conducts 'Turtle-palooza' wildlife protection training in Agawam Several community leaders who have made an impact on the region were honored Wednesday. These leaders include NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, State Senator John Velis, and Westfield State President Dr. Linda Thompson. The event supports local scouting programs, providing youth with hands-on opportunities to build character, leadership, and a lifelong dedication to service. John Willemain with the Council told 22News, 'It's a tremendous program and it's been shown with studies that any youth who was in scouting for any period does much better in their development and growth down the road.' WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Jonathan Joss' Suspected Killer Released on Bail, Ordered to Full House Arrest
56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was released one day after he allegedly shot and killed Jonathan Joss on Sunday, June 1 Alvarez posted a $200,000 bond on June 2 and was ordered to full house arrest, according to records obtained by PEOPLE He has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly admitting to shooting Joss following a dispute at his San Antonio, Texas homeThe suspect in Jonathan Joss' shooting death is out on bail. Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, the 56-year-old man charged with first-degree murder after police allege he admitted that he shot and killed the Parks and Recreation actor on June 1, is no longer in police custody. According to records obtained by PEOPLE, Alvarez was released after posting a $200,000 'special condition bond' one day after his arrest. The court has ordered Alvarez to full house arrest and placed conditions for him to not purchase, possess, own or use any firearms. A judge also issued Avlarez a no-contact order, although it is unclear to whom that applies. A pre-indictment hearing has been set for August. As PEOPLE previously reported, a witness told police that she drove Joss and a man presumed to be his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, to their property in San Antonio, Texas, to check their mail at around 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 1. The couple hadn't been living there because their house burned down three months prior. Per the police report, the shooter believed to be Alvarez parked his car 'directly behind' the woman's vehicle and she watched him begin to 'argue' with Joss through her rearview mirror. She alleged that Alvarez then 'said he had a gun and would shoot' the King of the Hill star before doing so. Officers responded to a call of a shooting in progress, but found Joss, who was just 59, lying 'near the roadway.' He was pronounced dead at 7:20 p.m., according to EMS on the scene. The report further stated that Alvarez, who PEOPLE can confirm was a neighbor of Joss, was detained by police shortly after fleeing in a vehicle and allegedly "immediately told them, 'I shot him.'' It also listed a rifle as the weapon used to 'intentionally and knowingly' shoot the actor. Gonzales, who married Joss on Valentine's Day this year, shared a post on Joss' Facebook page on June 2 claiming the incident was a hate crime. 'My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home,' the statement began. 'That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done.' 'Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship,' he went on to share. 'Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.' Gonzales went on to allege that he and Joss found the skull of one of their deceased dogs seemingly left out for them to see when they arrived at the property, causing "severe emotional distress." 'We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw," he explained. "While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.' He continued: 'Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life.' 'He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,' Gonzales concluded. 'I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. My focus now is on protecting Jonathan's legacy and honoring the life we built together.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. In a statement shared with PEOPLE on June 3, the San Antonio Police Department addressed speculation that the shooting was tied to Joss' sexuality. 'Our investigation has found no evidence whatsoever to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation,' a public information officer wrote. 'We take such allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, we will charge the suspect accordingly.' Read the original article on People


New York Times
3 days ago
- New York Times
I Think My Son Is Gay. Should I Talk to Him About Coming Out?
I am the mother of two delightful teenage boys in the throes of navigating all the challenges that youth brings. Over the past few years, it has become evident to me that my younger son is most likely gay. I believe I am the only person in the family to have noticed his interest in rainbow flags or his outrage at injustices to the L.G.B.T.Q.+ community, among other, subtler, indications. I've always thought it quite unfair that only those who fall under the L.G.B.T.Q.+ umbrella have the onerous burden of 'coming out.' Last summer my son weathered the heartbreak of a dear friend, likely a crush, moving away. For Valentine's Day, a female classmate asked my son out, and he turned her down. His life is getting increasingly complicated. I don't want to push him to come out before he's ready, but I'd love to be able to have honest conversations about some of what he's going through. My question is: Should I wait and let him come out when he's ready, or is there a way I can save him the trouble? What is the most thoughtful way to approach this? — Name Withheld From the Ethicist: I get why you want to spare him the awkward dance of coming out, but for many young people, it's a way to claim an identity on their terms. (For many parents, in turn, it involves pretending that the declaration comes as news.) Pressing fast-forward could leave him with the sense that he has lost a measure of agency — that a big moment has been pre-empted. It could also make him feel exposed or rushed. There are all sorts of ways that you can indicate your loving acceptance and reassure him that you'll be a soft place to land. Indeed, I'm sure you've already done so. When he's ready, you'll be there — arms open, heart steady, no script needed. Readers Respond The previous question was from a reader wondering whether to disclose the toxic products used on the shared lawn when selling a condo. The reader wrote: 'I am hoping to sell my condo. I live in a homeowner's association that still uses many toxic landscaping products. … Several residents have worked over the past two years, without success, to change the association's landscaping practices. What is my obligation to disclose these harmful products to prospective buyers, especially those with young children and pets?' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.