Dog adoption is a beautiful thing. There are millions of pets in shelters and rescues waiting for forever homes. Adopting a dog can help homeless animals and set an excellent example for others.
Dog adoption isn’t suitable for everyone, and it’s not something you should get into lightly. Getting a dog is an important decision that will affect your life for many years. If you’ve decided dog adoption is for you, this is excellent news!
Bringing an adopted dog into your home should be a rewarding experience for you and your family. Before looking for your future best friend, arm yourself with the knowledge to navigate the world of dog adoption and make the best possible decision.
We’ve compiled a list of the top Massachusetts dog rescue & shelters with an adoption guide.
Top 5 Massachusetts Dog Rescue & Shelters
Adoption is an alternative that benefits everyone when it comes to acquiring a pet: the family, animal protection entities, and, of course, the dog itself
Shelters across the country house approximately eight million companion animals each year. Yet, nearly 50% of them are euthanized due to the shelter’s lack of resources.
1) Second Chance Animal Services Adoption Center
Second Chance Animal Services is a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1999. Second Chance began as an animal shelter and grew to help more pets in need. Today Second Chance operates Community Veterinary Hospitals in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester providing access to the highest-quality veterinary care for all.
Subsidized rates are provided to underserved communities to ensure access to care for all pets in need. Second Chance helps over 40,000 pets a year through full-service veterinary care, spay/neuter services, adoption services, community & educational outreach programs, training, and a pet food pantry.
Second Chance Animal Services Adoption Center Information and Details:
- Address: 111 Young Rd, East Brookfield, MA 01515, United States
- Website: http://www.secondchanceanimals.org/
- Phone: +15088675525
2) Worcester Animal Rescue League
Owning a pet can be costly. That’s why WARL offers low-cost spay/neuter and vaccine clinics. But don’t let ear mites, skin and dental conditions, and other medical issues go untreated; it causes unnecessary pain for your pet and a lot of money for you.
It is cheaper to maintain your pet’s good health through diet and veterinary care than to wait until your pet develops a serious medical condition from what was a minor condition. There are also many pet insurance programs; ask your veterinarian to recommend one.
Some owners choose to dump their pets rather than pay for veterinary care. Abandoning an animal is irresponsible, cruel, and illegal. Animal abandonment is a felony in Massachusetts, punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and 5 years in prison.
A domestic animal does not have the skills to survive on its own. Even a domesticated bunny doesn’t have the survival skills of a wild rabbit. A domesticated animal dumped outside most likely will die of starvation, exposure, or trauma.
Worcester Animal Rescue League Information and Details:
- Address: 139 Holden St, Worcester, MA 01606, United States
- Website: http://www.worcesterarl.org/
- Phone: +15088530030
3) Quincy Animal Shelter
Quincy Animal Shelter mission is to advocate for animals by providing safety until home placement of those in our care. They promote spay and neuter programs as a means to control pet overpopulation and continually strive to be the leading community resource for education on proper animal welfare.
Quincy Animal Shelter Information and Details:
- Address: 56 Broad St, Quincy, MA 02169, United States
- Website: http://www.quincyanimalshelter.org/
- Phone: +16173761349
4) Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc
Founded in 1961, “Buddy Dog”, as it is affectionately known, is a not-for-profit animal welfare organization dedicated to finding new homes for homeless dogs and cats. The Society is incorporated with one main objective, “giving a new lease on life to impounded dogs and cats”.
Buddy Dog accepts homeless dogs and cats, in good health and of friendly disposition. These animals find refuge at Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc shelter and can depend on becoming someone’s forever friend. There is no time limit on their stay.
Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc animal guests come to Buddy Dog from near and far and for many different reasons. Ideally, a staff member interviews an animal’s owner at the time the pet is being relinquished to get an accurate assessment of the animal’s needs. They also assist animal control officers and other animal welfare organizations who have homeless pets in need.
Buddy Dog Humane Society Inc Information and Details:
- Address: 151 Boston Post Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776, United States
- Website: http://www.buddydoghs.org/
- Phone: +19784436990
5) MSPCA at Nevins Farm
MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, they are the second-oldest humane society in the United States. The full name of our organization is the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell Animal Medical Center, or MSPCA–Angell.
Since its founding in 1868, the MSPCA-Angell has worked to relieve suffering, prevent cruelty, and develop a just and compassionate society. Although these goals remain constant, societal change, technological advancement, and growth in human understanding dictate continual re-evaluation and redefinition of their implications for our work.
MSPCA at Nevins Farm Information and Details:
- Address: 400 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844, United States
- Website: http://www.mspca.org/nevins
- Phone: +19786877453
Dog Rescue & Shelter Online
We hope that one of the shelters listed above can help you find your future dog, but if for some reason that doesn’t happen you can always opt for different alternatives.
For this reason, we’ve added these alternative platforms. These platforms will help you connect with people who have dogs for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future pup within the comfort of your home.
AKC Market Place
Finding trustworthy dog breeders, groomers, and trainers can be challenging. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy.
AKC Marketplace® is the only website that exclusively lists puppies from AKC-Registered litters, so you can choose a breeder with confidence.
Adopt A Pet
If you want to give an abandoned puppy a second chance, a shelter is definitely the place to find a dog.
Adopt a pet is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website. They help over 21,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free.
Puppies for sale Today
Puppies Today has over a decade of experience, established in 2008. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation. They provide all of their customer’s puppy payment plans and health guarantees to ensure the best experience and peace of mind when adopting a puppy through their service.
Check Out Our Dog Breeders Page :
DOG BREEDERS NEAR ME | PUPPIES FOR SALE
How much does it cost to adopt a dog?
Generally, it will cost around $50 to $150 for a dog – and because typically shelters and rescuers give pets medical treatment, you’ll save money on a medical examination; you’ll also likely save on spay or neuter surgery, which can cost around $50 to $300.
Aside from the puppy’s price, it would be best to consider the expenses that would come with it. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter.
What kind of dog should you adopt?
If you have decided to adopt a dog, you may want a mixed breed dog. Or, you can have your heart set on a specific dog breed. It is possible to adopt purebred dogs from shelters and rescues if you plan ahead. However, if you’re not set on a particular breed, you should still have an idea of the type of dog you want.
Consider age, size, care needs, health concerns, and activity level. Have your wishes in mind before you go looking. Better yet, create a list of dog characteristics that is divided into three areas:
- What do you absolutely need in a dog: Do you have children, cats, or other dogs? The dog you adopt must be able to get along well with everyone in your home. Are you in an apartment or small house and need a small dog? Are you allergic to certain types of dogs and need a hypoallergenic breed? These are just some of the things to consider.
- What you would like in a dog but can live without: Maybe you have a soft spot for a specific breed but will be happy with a mix of that breed. Maybe you want a dog with short hair, but don’t worry about a little extra grooming if you meet a big long-haired dog.
- What is not acceptable to you: these are dealbreakers. What qualities would prevent you from even considering a certain dog? Dimension? Temperament? Maybe you have a fear or dislike for a certain dog breed. Perhaps you are renting out your home and have to meet specific rental requirements.
Write everything down and take the list with you. That way, when you go out and see all those cute faces, you will know where to start.
When not to adopt a dog
It is best to avoid adopting a dog in the following circumstances:
- You are in the process of moving
- You are remodeling or repairing your home
- You are about to have a baby (it is usually best to have the baby and let life stabilize a bit before introducing a new dog)
- It’s the holiday season ( dogs aren’t meant to be gifts and holidays are usually too hectic for a new dog)
- You or someone in your family is going through other major life events (the new dog may be lost in the shuffle or be overwhelmed by chaos)
The Dog Adoption Process
Well done! You have found your new dog. Now is the time for formalities. Most organizations require an application before they can adopt. This is to prevent pets from falling into the wrong hands. While it may sound like an interrogation, these groups have policies in place for a reason. Fortunately, many people have no problem getting approval.
Some groups require a waiting period before bringing your new dog home, possibly due to a medical procedure that has been done. Some dogs may have a waiting list, so ask questions beforehand.
Find out what the adoption fee includes (vaccines, spay/neuter, etc.). Before signing the contract, learn what you expect from yourself and what the group will do to help you. If the dog is too young to be spayed or neutered, the contract will require it to do so in the future. Also, find out what happens if you can’t keep the dog.
Most organizations ask you to return the dog to them if you can no longer care for it (don’t give it away to someone else). Find out what is known about the dog’s history and what health problems, if any, were noted while the dog was in their care.
Final Thoughts
Remember, it can take a long time for a dog to adjust to a new home. You and your family will need time to adjust. You may notice that your new dog has behavioral problems, fears, phobias, or lacks training. If the adaptation period is long and complex, it’s a good idea to seek the assistance of a dog trainer or behaviorist.
You may need to consult more than one. Be patient and follow the advice of the experts. If you feel that you have genuinely exhausted your options, you may decide to give up on your new dog.
Remember to try to get your dog back to the place of adoption first. If this is not an option, you need to be responsible and find a good home for your dog. I hope you never have to be in this situation.
