The Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support Coalition (MASS) Coalition is a collaborative effort among several animal welfare organizations to address the capacity crisis faced by animal shelters across the state.
The Crisis at Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL)
Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL), the city’s only animal shelter, has been refusing new intakes since November 2024 due to reaching capacity. This has resulted in over 150 animals, including 105 dogs and 51 cats, being relocated to other shelters in the state.
- The Worcester Police Department’s Animal Control unit has been working with WARL to find new homes for the animals, and some of the food for the animals is being donated by the police department.
- WARL has 34 dogs, but the shelter stopped taking in new animals months ago.
- The police department has been working with other animal control units across the state to rehome dogs and reunite lost dogs with their families.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Animal Medical Center (MSPCA-Angell) has been working closely with WARL to address the capacity problem. Mike Keiley, vice president of the animal protection division of MSPCA-Angell, explained that WARL has been at capacity for a longer period than November.
“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. And Worcester is the second largest city in Massachusetts. There’s no doubt there’s incredible need,”
Keiley highlighted the need for more resources and support for animal shelters in Massachusetts.
Collaboration and Strategies
The MSPCA-Angell has developed various strategies to help shelters like WARL address their capacity issues. One strategy is to rely on people to foster dogs, freeing up kennels for other animals.
- By giving a dog a home, it frees up a kennel for any dog that is surrendered or taken into the organization’s custody following an animal cruelty case.
- It’s not a permanent solution, but it helps get animals adopted and reduces the number of animals in shelters.
Social media has also been used to get the word out about animals looking for new families and to spread awareness about the capacity issue.
MASS Coalition Formation
The MSPCA-Angell has formed the Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support Coalition (MASS) to address the capacity crisis faced by animal shelters across the state. The coalition includes several animal welfare organizations, including WARL, Boston Animal Control, and the Dakin Humane Society.
- MASS Coalition
- A collaborative effort among several animal welfare organizations to address the capacity crisis faced by animal shelters across the state.
The MASS Coalition aims to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia for animals in shelters.
MASS Coalition Events
The MASS Coalition will be hosting fee-waived adoption events for dogs over 1 year old from April 21 to April 27. These events will help increase adoptions and reduce the number of animals in shelters.
- The events will be held during vacation weeks to attract more people to adopt dogs.
- Past fee-waived adoption events have contributed to lowering the number of dogs at different shelters.
The MASS Coalition will also provide more assistance to shelters like WARL to help them address their capacity issues.
Assistance to WARL
The MASS Coalition will provide assistance to WARL to help it address its capacity issues. This includes providing more resources and support to help WARL move its animals through the system efficiently and effectively.
“We would identify to MDAR that we believe that WARL is ready to confirm what the capacity for care should be. 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,”
Keiley emphasized the importance of addressing the capacity crisis faced by animal shelters in Massachusetts.
National Trend
The crisis at WARL reflects a nationwide trend of animal shelters reaching full capacity. The MSPCA-Angell has seen an increase in intakes of dogs over the past few years, with the number more than tripling in 2024.
“The important backdrop to this is animal welfare has gone through some turbulent times in the last several years, starting with COVID-19… We saw the entire nation be more excited to adopt animals during COVID-19 and less relinquishment of animals to animal shelters,”
Keiley highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on animal welfare.
Solution
The MASS Coalition aims to increase adoptions and reduce euthanasia for animals in shelters. By working together and implementing strategies like fostering and social media, the coalition hopes to address the capacity crisis faced by animal shelters in Massachusetts.
