Latest news with #RedBarron
Boston Globe
06-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Sweet Paws Rescue to buy 69-acre Haverhill farm for its own ‘forever home'
But while the property is undeniably beautiful, it may seem at odds with Sweet Paws' deeply-held philosophy of never placing an animal in shelter. 'We are not a shelter,' executive director Cynthia Sweet said in an interview. 'I've never wanted to have a shelter. I don't think dogs or cats do well in a shelter environment.' Instead, every animal goes directly into a network of foster homes until adoption — a model built to prepare them for life as family pets, avoiding the fear, stress, and behavioral issues that often develop in a traditional shelter environment, she said. Advertisement So why the farm? While Sweet Paws' 'shelterless' model minimizes time on-site, a physical facility has always been necessary — and today, it's needed more than ever. With a sharp rise in abandoned pets , many now require extended stays for medical care, recovery, and behavioral support, far beyond the 48-hour quarantine required for out-of-state rescues. Historically, 97 percent of Sweet Paws' animals came from under-resourced areas in Mississippi and Alabama. To meet Massachusetts' quarantine requirements, the organization operated a small facility in Groveland, where animals stayed just long enough to clear quarantine before moving into foster care. Rapid turnover meant the building was often mostly empty. 'But now, 45 percent of our dogs are coming from Massachusetts,' Sweet said — a shift she says has accelerated dramatically over the past five years. Advertisement At first, they were 'COVID dogs' — pets bought for companionship during lockdown. More recently, the housing crisis has driven many to give up their pets, Sweet said, whether due to no-pet policies, relocation, or loss of housing altogether. The result: Shelters and rescues are overflowing, and animals are sometimes 'physically dumped on the side of the road,' according to Sweet. Sweet Paws is among the organizations local authorities now increasingly turn to for help. 'Fourteen years ago, when I started Sweet Paws, someone asked me why [we focused on the South],' Sweet said. 'I said it was because there wasn't a massive problem in Massachusetts. And that if there ever was, we'd pivot and shift our focus.' She laughed. 'But I didn't think it would actually happen!' The nonprofit, which has dozens of dogs listed for adoption on its Red Barron, a mixed breed, was given away as a puppy at a Wal-Mart in Mississippi. Sweet Paws Rescue Sweet said she has dreamed of moving to a farm 'for as long as I can remember.' But the timing has proved ideal. Rescue animals often need spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, injury treatment, and time to heal before they can be adopted. Rather than a crowded shelter, the farm offers a peaceful, pastoral sanctuary where dogs and cats can recuperate in comfort. They'll still go into foster homes whenever possible, but when on-site stays are necessary, the farm's open fields will reduce stress and prepare animals for family life. To fund its new home, Sweet Paws has launched a $4.5 million Advertisement Sweet Paws announced Monday The campaign's first phase — securing the 69-acre Haverhill property — kicks off this summer; subsequent fundraising will finance an on-site veterinary clinic, expanded animal housing, and 'whatever new problems emerge in Massachusetts,' as Sweet put it. True to its 'shelterless' roots, Sweet Paws still won't become a traditional shelter. Instead, they'll utilize the farm to uphold their mission in these unprecedented times: equipping cats and dogs for their forever homes. Rita Chandler can be reached at
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
New reward for cold case over 20 years old
PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— An unsolved murder in our area is getting renewed attention. A new reward is posted for information that can help solve the case from nearly 20 years ago. The Polerecki family along with police are offering a new reward to whoever comes forward with information in a case that's been going on for decades. Art Theft Ring Trial enters second day of deliberation The son of the man who was murdered feels closure is very near. 'It's still pretty tough from time to time,' said Keith Polerecki, Keith Polerecki's son. Keith Polerecki sits in his Pittston Township home, and is always reminded of one person, his father. 'We'd always go out to, it was back then the Red Barron's games. We did a lot of stuff together as a family,' recalled Polerecki. His dad, Keith Polerecki, was murdered 29 years ago in 1996 at age 31. Although Keith believes he knows who's responsible for his father's murder, there is still DNA testing waiting to be processed and Trooper Bill Evans says the case remains open. 'Those certain people were strategically placing themselves around my family during this investigation, and we know that now, we know who they are,' voiced Polerecki. State troopers recently posted a five thousand dollar reward offered for information to help solve the case. Keith says his family has added another five thousand on top of that. Polerecki's death was first ruled suspicious but his body was exhumed a year later and a second autopsy was performed. That autopsy determined he was murdered with blunt force trauma causing broken bones. 'Just the whole situation itself. It's been taxing on my family,' added Polerecki. Keith says with new technology, the $10,000 reward and their fight to find justice, he's more confident now then ever they'll find out who killed his father. 'This is never going to go away. Until justice is served this is never going to go away, and we are going to keep pushing,' voiced Polerecki. Trooper Bill Evans says any tips regarding the case can be directed to PSP Wilkes-Barre. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
