Latest news with #BaypathHumaneSociety
Boston Globe
24-05-2025
- Boston Globe
German shepherds, huskies rescued from breeding operation are up for adoption after months of ‘legal limbo'
Unable to put the dogs up for adoption, and unsure whether they'd eventually have be returned to Wrentham, shelter staff and foster volunteers couldn't publicly discuss the dogs, who came to them emaciated, sick, and unsocialized. 'It's been a secret. It's almost like they're in the witness protection program,' said Maddy Berthold, who works at the humane society and cared for the dogs after their June 2024 rescue. Advertisement A Wrentham woman who allegedly bred the dogs pleaded not guilty to charges of animal cruelty, according to court records, but this spring admitted to 'sufficient facts' in the case, Norfolk District Attorney press officer David Linton told the Globe in an email. That allowed the humane society to begin advertising the animals for adoption in recent days, Berthold said. 'It's like the light at the end of the tunnel is here,' Berthold, 26, said. Advertisement 'Harrowing' rescue, 'challenging' recovery In an announcement on their website, the Baypath Humane Society thanked the Wrentham community members who first reported concerns about the dogs. A husky named Koda gave birth to three surviving puppies less than two weeks after being rescued. Baypath Humane Society 'This has been one of the most challenging efforts we've ever taken on,' Executive Director Elizabeth Jefferis said in the humane society's In May 2024, Wrentham Animal Control Officer Lexi Klenk inspected the kennel facility where the dogs were kept after neighbors reported concerns about poor conditions on the property. Klenk discovered unsanitary conditions, 'an overwhelming odor or urine and feces,' and some dogs appeared to have skin conditions, according to court documents. A lawyer for the dogs' former owner did not respond to a request for comment. It was Klenk's first year on the job, she told the Globe, and she was determined to 'take care of the situation.' She rescued the dogs one by one after the property owner did not improve conditions for the animals, Klenk, 27, said. 'We had to try to pet them and be very patient with them because you could tell they hadn't been handled a lot,' Klenk said. Baypath was unable to hire their own lawyer to fight for ownership of the dogs, and in the meantime, most needed expensive veterinary care, Berthold said. Many of the dogs had to receive behavioral therapy for stress disorders, and two dogs died soon after the rescue operation from 'severe health issues that were left untreated,' Klenk said. The dogs' former owner was ordered to 18 months probation, and may not own or have custody of any new animals, according to court records. Puppies born 2 weeks after rescue Mother Goose, a female German shepherd, was one of the oldest dogs rescued and was clearly overbred, Berthold said. Advertisement 'After years of raising litter after litter in an overcrowded breeding operation, Ms. Goose is ready to be pampered and loved in her golden years,' the humane society's announcement said. Another female, a husky named Koda, gave birth to three surviving puppies less than two weeks after being rescued, Berthold said. Her pups are Finn, Bea, and Gunner, and two of them have striking mismatched eyes — one blue, one brown — that are common about the breed. 'The best thing about the puppies was seeing Koda's relief that she was in a safe place able to have these babies,' Berthold said. Horton and Cleo Most of the dogs didn't know how to interact with humans and lacked social skills many pet owners take for granted, Berthold said. A white male husky named Horton became Berthold's favorite of the group after he overcame his social anxiety by latching onto another dog already at the shelter. 'He fell in love with one of our dogs, Cleo, who's not part of the case,' Berthold said. 'Cleo has so much confidence, and Horton is kind of able to follow that.' Squeaky toys, kiddie pool and lots of walks Klenk and Berthold said their favorite memories of the dogs include seeing them learn to use squeaky toys, which they never had before. 'It gave us hope that that was something in their furniture,' Berthold said. The dogs, which weren't leash trained, also had to learn how to go on walks. This spring, Horton was also particularly confused when humane society staff set up a kiddie pool for the animals to cool down. But seeing Cleo bound into the water helped Horton enjoy it, too, Berthold said with a laugh. Advertisement Each of the 23 adult dogs will need more patience, socialization, and training than is typical, Berthold said, adding that there hasn't yet been much interest from would-be adopters. 'They're going to need some patience and some time to really decompress in their new homes.' The three husky pups born post-rescue, however, are fully socialized and have been getting all the inquiries so far. 'They're just literally adorable,' Berthold said. A female German shepherd named Mother Goose. Baypath Humane Society Claire Thornton can be reached at
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hopkinton's Baypath Humane Society helps rescue dozen dogs from Wrentham backyard breeder
At Baypath Humane Society in Hopkinton on a Friday afternoon, it is playtime for more than a dozen German Shepherd and Husky dogs waiting for adoption. Until now, playtime was something the dogs never knew. Last fall, more than a dozen dogs were rescued from a backyard breeder in Wrentham. Photos and video reveal the living conditions the dogs endured for their entire lives, as they existed for one reason: to create puppies. 'A lot of them really haven't been out of a confined area of cement. They had cement walls, wood chips for bedding. And that was it,' Baypath Shelter Support associate Kathy Lundgren told me. Lundgren said the dogs showed signs of neglect: starvation, parasites, and in some cases, disease. 'The saddest part, when they came in, they were just numbers. Case numbers. You could tell in the breeders' mind, these were breeding machines,' Lundgren said. The case taxed Baypath's resources; the vet bill now stands at $130,000. 'It was emotional for us, as well as the dogs,' Baypath's Rachel Gallagher said. Meanwhile, workers and volunteers nursed each of the dogs to health. 'My hope for these dogs is to find them love, to find them care and to find them people who actually deserve them,' said Elly Hammond, a Baypath Animal Care Associate. The dogs rescued from the Wrentham backyard breeder are thriving now. It has been a long road for Baypath, but each dog is ready to find a home. 'They came in as a number: Husky 1, Shepherd 1. Now they have a name. They have a face, and they have freedom. Now they can find a home,' Lundgren said. All of the dogs are now up for adoption If you'd like to know more about the dogs or about ways to support the mission, go to their website at: This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
CBS News
22-05-2025
- CBS News
Dogs rescued from poor conditions a year ago now available for adoption in Massachusetts
Nearly one year after they were first brought to the shelter, more than a dozen dogs caught in the middle of an animal cruelty case are ready to be adopted. Last June, a Wrentham woman was charged with 23 counts of animal cruelty for what prosecutors described as a commercial breeding operation. Those dogs, a mix of German shepherds and Huskies, were found in varying conditions and were sent to a few area shelters. Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton took on more than half of them. "It's really hard knowing that for so long they lived in squaller," said Lily Bolton of Baypath. "They were not adoptable because they legally belonged to somebody even though that person clearly wasn't taking care of them with any regard." Bolton said many of the dogs were under-socialized, malnourished, and suffering from infections. Shelter spent $135,000 caring for dogs For the next 322 days, the shelter would nurse the dogs back to health with countless visits to the vet. Baypath said the cost to take care of the dogs over the course of the year totaled $135,000. A heavy lift for a center that runs off donations. A dog rescued from poor conditions in Wrentham is available for adoption at Baypath Humane Society. CBS Boston Court documents show that last month, the dog's owner made a plea deal with the state that would relinquish her custody of the dogs in exchange for the 23 charges being dropped. That deal made the 15 dogs at Baypath eligible for adoption nearly one year after they walked through the door. "Some of them were super fearful and seeing them come out of their shells and willing to have human affection," said Bolton. "It's incredible to see that difference." After the case concluded, the town of Wrentham ultimately paid Baypath $12,000 toward the cost of care for the dogs. If you are interested in adopting one of the dogs you can reach out to Baypath. The nonprofit shelter is also raising money for a new shelter that is currently in the development phase.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
