Dog Adoption Network - The New Cottage Street Shelter and other stories

The New Cottage Street Shelter Needs Our Help

With completion scheduled for November or December, the new Cottage Street Shelter replacing the current dog pound in Springfield is going well. The new $3.9 million facility will house more than 7,000 animals per year and serve more than 6 cities and towns in the Springfield area.

Although plans call for a veterinarian office, a vet. tech. office, grooming area, and public education room, the down turn of the economy may cut short funding for the equipment and supplies in these areas.

Shelter supervisors have asked DAN to create a capital fundraising campaign to support the areas we just mentioned.

In response to their request, we have created the DAN Shelter Fund to help purchase equipment and supplies for the new center. We invite all animal lovers to read more about our shelter fund by downloading our brochure (425K PDF file).

DAN is looking for volunteers to canvas the city and town service areas of the new Cottage Street Shelter. An orientation program at our office is in the process of being created. If you would like to participate, please email us directly.

All approved fundraisers for the DAN Shelter Fund will be given a compensation for their time and expenses.

Please support our efforts in providing the best animal care at our new Cottage Street Shelter.

Springfield MSPCA Hosts Cat Discussion

June 10, 03

The Springfield MSPCA invited the Community and staff of the TJO pound to discuss their role in handling the 8000 cats that arrive yearly at their shelter.

Officer Richard LeBlond who led the discussion stated that MSPCA takes the thousands of cats coming to the shelter, holds them 3-4 days hoping owners will claim them, and then a decision is made on their adoptability.

Officer LeBlond suggested that the cities consider licensing their domestic cats as a form of revenue. He emphasized that in his opinion "cats are treated like second class citizens and disposable" and licensing reflects their value.

Thomas Haberlin, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors that run the Center stated that licensing cats is not a priority at this time and the matter would have to be studied for future consideration.

Shelter Director Valerie Longworth and Debra Labruzzo, head of the Homeless Cat Project outlined the differences between feral and domestic cats, identification of feral cat populations and the importance of sterilization to control cat overpopulation.

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