The MSPCA-Angell is stepping in to help animals impacted by the California wildfires. On Friday, the organization shared that it will be bringing in nine dogs from the Pasadena Humane Society in Los Angeles to offer them a safe haven at its Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts.
These dogs are just the latest in a series of rescue efforts by the MSPCA. Earlier this year, 37 cats, rescued from areas affected by near-record snowfall in Louisiana, were brought to Massachusetts as part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare. This latest transport of dogs from California comes with its own set of challenges, but the MSPCA is determined to help.
According to Josie Waldron, the MSPCA-Angell Relocation Manager, coordinating the transport of animals across the country is no easy task. “Cross-country flights are really expensive and hard to coordinate,” Waldron said. “The plane needs to be completely full, which is a huge number of animals—more than all shelters in Massachusetts and even New England could take in at once.”
To make the transport possible, the MSPCA worked with Best Friends Animal Society to arrange a flight from California that would stop in Delaware. This stop was necessary to ensure that the dogs could be split up and transported to different shelters and rescue organizations. From Delaware, the MSPCA team will take over and transport the dogs the final seven-hour stretch to Salem.
The dogs, who range in age from 1 to 10 years old, include a mix of breeds like hounds, German shepherds, pit bulls, and cattle dogs. They are all in need of care, and after arriving in Salem, they will undergo a mandatory 48-hour quarantine as required by the state of Massachusetts. This quarantine period is essential to ensure the health and safety of the dogs before they are available for adoption.
Once their quarantine and medical needs are addressed, these dogs will be available for adoption. While the MSPCA is focused on giving these California dogs a new chance at life, they are also hoping that local residents will consider adopting one of the many animals already in their care.
Waldron mentioned that as wildfire relief efforts continue, it is possible that more animals could be brought to Massachusetts for shelter. However, to make space for additional animals, the MSPCA is encouraging people to adopt. “We would love for people to come out and adopt these dogs,” Waldron said. “But we also have a lot of amazing dogs already in our care looking for homes.”
For those who aren’t in a position to adopt right now, the MSPCA is also looking for foster families. Fostering a dog allows the animal to decompress in a home environment while also helping to free up space in the shelter. The MSPCA believes that fostering can play a key role in helping both the new arrivals and the animals already in their care.
The shelter’s efforts highlight the importance of community involvement in animal rescue, and the MSPCA is optimistic that these dogs will soon find their forever homes in Massachusetts. If you’re interested in adopting or fostering, the MSPCA encourages you to visit their website for more information on the animals available for adoption.
The shelter is also seeking donations to help cover the costs of care, transportation, and shelter for these animals, which can be expensive. Every little bit helps, and any contribution goes a long way toward ensuring that animals impacted by disasters like the California wildfires are given the opportunity for a new, happy life.
As the wildfires in California continue to wreak havoc on communities, the MSPCA’s efforts serve as a reminder of how important it is for animal rescue organizations to step up and support both local and national efforts. The work being done in Massachusetts is just one part of a much larger effort to help animals in need across the country, and the MSPCA is proud to be a part of this vital mission.
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