Latest news with #Keiley
Yahoo
3 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Franklin County farm owner surrenders nearly 150 animals following investigation
METHUEN, Mass. (WWLP) – An investigation is ongoing as more than 140 animals from a property in Franklin County were surrendered. In a news release sent to 22News from MSPCA-Angell, a total of 147 animals, consisting of pigs, goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys, and dogs, were removed on April 16, and some have since given birth. The number of animals has put a strain on the non-profit organization. Ironman triathlon to bring thousands of athletes to Springfield area Due to the influx of animals at MSPCA, this weekend, the animal shelter is waiving the adoption fees for more than 100 of these animals, including pigs, goats, farm birds, and a young horse who was previously surrendered. 'This was a massive undertaking—we took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Nevins,' said Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division. 'Obviously, following that kind of intake, our resources are really being pushed to the brink.' 'We need to find homes for a lot of these animals, and fast,' Keiley added. '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, whether through owner surrender or related to Law Enforcement cases.' The adoptathon is being held on June 7 and 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Nevins Farm, located on 400 Broadway in Methuen. Online registration, additional information, and donation details can be found at 'We're fortunate to have both the staffing and expertise to make it work, not to mention the equipment needed to move so many animals at once, as well as the space they all need to thrive,' Keiley said. 'All told, we're hoping to adopt out about 120 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.' 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
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Over 150 farm animals up for free adoption after large Western Mass. surrender
After an influx of more than 140 animals into its care from a large surrender case, the MSPCA is set to offer free adoptions for dozens of pigs, goats, chickens and fowl this coming weekend. The animals from the large intake originated from a single property in Franklin County. A previously surrendered filly named Astrid, who was in 'dire need of medical attention' back in March, also came from this property, the MSPCA indicated. In total, 147 animals — ranging in species from pigs, to goats, chickens, geese, ducks, cattle, horses, donkeys and dogs, were removed from the Franklin County property on April 16, according to the MSPCA-Angell. The animals were officially surrendered by their previous owner on April 22. An investigation is also ongoing against the owner, the MSPCA noted. Read More: Mass. lawmakers eye lesser charge to deter animal cruelty Some of the animals have since given birth, raising their total number to more than 150. The large intake has ballooned the animal population at the MSPCA's Nevins Farm location in Methuen to more than 300 animals, the organization said, adding that capacity is now 'stretched thin.' 'This was a massive undertaking — we took in an entire farm at one time and moved it to Nevins," Mike Keiley, the vice president of the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division, said in a statement. Keiley said it was 'all hands on deck' to move and resettle the animals, but that the MSPCA-Angell is 'uniquely positioned' to help in a situation such as this. Read More: Do you know this dog? MSPCA needs info about emaciated poodle found on highway 'We're really the only local organization that can help with this kind of huge intake,' Keiley said. 'Bringing in close to a dozen different species, including cattle and horses, and housing them is incredibly complicated.' Keiley credited the MSPCA's 'staffing and expertise' with helping to make the operation work, despite the strain on resources to carry it through and to continue the animals' care. 'We need to find homes for a lot of these animals and fast,' Keiley emphasized. '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, whether through owner surrender or related to Law Enforcement cases,' Keiley added. Read More: Second Chance says economic squeeze is pushing pets out of homes, into shelters Adopting out animals currently in the MSPCA's care is the main way the group will be able to care for more incoming animals in need, according to Keiley. Keiley estimated that the cost to care for Astrid, the Percheron filly, as well as the other animals has already cost the MSPCA roughly $25,000. Astrid required more than a week of hospitalization, but has since been released, and is expected to soon be available to adopt. Those who wish to donate to offset the costs of Astrid and the other animals' care can do so on the MSPCA's website. To incentivize adoptions on Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, fees to adopt pigs, goats, chickens and fowl will be waived at Nevins Farm. The MSPCA said these free adoptions can amount to a savings of up to $400, which the group encourages new owners to put toward their animals' care. Keiley said the MSPCA's goal is to adopt out 'about 120 animals in just two days.' Those interested in adopting animals for free this weekend can learn more on the MSPCA's website. Registration is recommend, but not required to participate. Famous voice actor killed in Texas shooting at 59 Residential retrofitting program turns on high-speed internet for Bay Meadow Apts. in Springfield ICE defends arrest of Milford High School student, though teen was 'not the target' ICE director 'shocked' MA officials would rather release 'human traffickers, child rapists' back into neighborhoods A Pennsylvania Democrat and Republican come to Boston. Bipartisanship breaks out Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Worcester animal shelter halts animal intakes for months amid growing crisis
Since at least November, more than 150 animals have been sent out of Worcester as the city's only animal shelter refuses new intakes due to reaching capacity, creating a growing crisis for the city's Animal Control. Typically, the Worcester Police Department's Animal Control unit works closely with the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL). But the rescue, which currently has 34 dogs, stopped taking in new animals months ago. Instead, the police department has had to work to find new places to put 156 animals, including 105 dogs and 51 cats, between November 2024 and April, Worcester police spokesperson Joseph Cersosimo told MassLive. The Worcester Police Department's Animal Control unit has seen a higher intake of dogs, specifically 'unclaimed strays, animals taken into custody through violations and animal cruelty investigations' since November, said Mike Keiley, vice president of the animal protection division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell), who works closely with WARL. After the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) conducted an inspection of WARL between December 2024 and January, the shelter almost received a cease-and-desist order from accepting new animals, Keiley said. MSPCA-Angell stepped in to assist and agreed to help WARL address its capacity problem. WARL did not respond to MassLive's request for comment. And the problem possibly started even before November, Keiley said. 'I would say they've probably been at capacity for longer than [November], just because they're really representing one of the only shelter systems in the Worcester area altogether,' Keiley said. 'And Worcester is the second largest city in Massachusetts. There's no doubt there's incredible need.' Without being able to leave dogs with WARL, Animal Control has been working with other animal control units across the state to rehome dogs in need of adoption or to scan chips to reunite lost dogs with their families. Additionally, Worcester's animal control officers have been buying some of the food for the animals, a Feb. 26 Facebook post from Worcester police read. 'Since there is such a great need, donations are being requested from the public,' the post read. In March, Worcester police posted about more than a dozen dogs rescued that were in need of new homes after they were surrendered to police or picked up off the city's streets. 'We have a surplus of them now and we're looking for people to adopt,' Cersosimo told MassLive. The department's Facebook post featured a video of the dogs that officers have rescued in recent months. Since the post went up on March 31, it has received nearly 200,000 views and 430 people have commented. But MSPCA-Angell said WARL isn't the only shelter in need — most of the state's shelters, including MSPCA-Angell's shelters, have seen higher numbers of intake needs. MSPCA-Angell operates with four adoption centers that have accepted locally and nationally surrendered animals. " We choose to be at capacity because we're trying to help so many other organizations and individuals," he added. After hearing of Worcester's problem and to combat the capacity problem shelters are facing across the state, the MSPCA announced the formation of the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support, or MASS, Coalition. The group is comprised of several groups, including the Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Control, Thomas J O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, Dakin Humane Society and Berkshire Humane Society. 'The coalition really does aim to increase adoptions and ultimately reduce euthanasia for animals that are stuck in shelters and helping to get them out so that they can have a successful outcome,' Keiley said. In dealing with its own capacity issue, MSPCA-Angell has developed various strategies to move 'animals through our system and [get] animals adopted efficiently,' Keiley continued. 'That's what we're trying to share: what strategies are working for us with the other shelters that we're working with.' Among these strategies is relying on people to foster dogs, according to Sara-Rose Brenner, senior public relations manager with MSPCA-Angell. By giving a dog a home setting to be in, it frees up a kennel for any dog that is surrendered or is taken into the organization's custody following an animal cruelty case. However, it's not as permanent as a dog being adopted. 'It's not a forever situation,' she said. 'The goal is to find forever homes.' Social media has been another tool to get the word out about animals looking for new families, she continued. It has also helped to spread awareness of the capacity issue and send out to prospective pet owners 'a plea for help.' The other strategy that has been and will soon be implemented again next week is fee-waived adoption events. From April 21 to April 27, all of the MASS Coalition shelters will take part in the 'Big Dog Energy' fee-waived adoption events for dogs over 1 year old. Such events are held during vacation weeks with the hope of more turnout at shelters where people can bring out the whole family to adopt, Brenner said. Past fee-waived adoption events have contributed to lowering the number of dogs at different shelters, including WARL, Keiley said. However, without a new plan in place, the Worcester shelter could not reopen to accepting new animals due to limited staffing and not to 'sacrifice [their] bandwidth' by increasing their intake again. In addition, MSCPA-Angell officials will be on the ground at these shelters, including WARL, to provide more assistance and, in WARL's case, lower its capacity from 34 dogs down to around the single digits, Keiley said. Through its partnership with MSCPA-Angell, WARL will have 'a better operational plan to move forward so animals can move efficiently and effectively through their system and not get backed up in care,' Keiley added. 'We would identify to MDAR that we believe that WARL is ready to confirm what the capacity for care should be,' Keiley said. 'Then MDAR would do an inspection and sign off on it to resume intake. It's going to take longer than we anticipated. We want them to open when they are ready to open without targeting a date. It could be May, it could be later than that.' However, people can still make appointments with the Worcester Animal Rescue League if they choose to adopt. Adoption fees on the Worcester Animal Rescue League's website vary from cats to dogs to smaller animals like rabbits. This problem reflects a nationwide trend of animal shelters reaching full capacity, Keiley said. In 2020, MSPCA-Angell had an intake of 451 dogs. That number grew incrementally until 2024, when the intake number more than tripled to 1,437 dogs in MSPCA-Angell's care. 'The important backdrop to this is animal welfare has gone through some turbulent times in the last several years, starting with COVID-19,' Keiley said. '... We saw the entire nation be more excited to adopt animals during COVID-19 and less relinquishment of animals to animal shelters.' During the 'return to work' phase later in the pandemic, operations at Massachusetts animal shelters saw drastic changes with staff and leadership turnover, Keiley said. The shelter has seen a change in leadership as well. Kristin Mullin's LinkedIn page states she's still the executive director and a recorded voicemail message to the executive director's phone number still says her name. But the shelter confirmed with MassLive that she is no longer in that role. Kathy Jamieson is currently the interim executive director of the Worcester Animal Rescue League. Shelters during the pandemic also saw a low intake of dogs despite a high interest in adoption, Keiley said. As more people returned to work in person, this flipped as interest dropped and shelters saw intakes increase. It was 'the perfect storm of all challenges [that] really locked up animal welfare and created all these big challenges, and that's reflected here at Worcester Animal Rescue League, but not unique to Worcester Animal Rescue League,' Keiley said. Worcester's record-setting free bus program takes another victory lap Beverly man faces OUI charge in connection with Worcester County pursuit Central Mass. coffee house opens new location — with new drive-thru
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.
