About 60 boxer dogs of all ages were surrendered this week from a property in Essex County, making it the largest local surrender the MSPCA says it’s had in almost a decade and filling its shelter cages to capacity.
Police in Merrimac and Haverhill, as well as from Windham, New Hampshire are investigating the circumstances of the situation that resulted in the June 11 surrender, according to a press release from MSPCA-Angell.
The dogs are now “resting and recuperating” as MSPCA members are completing health evaluations after being informed of “unsanitary and overcrowded” living conditions, MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection Mike Keiley said.
The dogs are still in confined spaces due to how many were surrendered. Keiley said although many of dogs at the shelter were adopted the week prior during the organization’s adoptathon, “given the immense size of this surrender, we’re already back at capacity.”
The cost of caring for the dozens of dogs and availability of resources is another issue Keiley emphasized. “Having this many animals come into our care so quickly is extremely taxing on all our resources.” Keiley estimates the dogs’ care will cost more than $10,000.
While adoption dates are expected to open as early as June 17, Keiley said help is needed now and encourages people to adopt dogs already in the shelter or help foster newer arrivals.
A Boxer being removed from the Essex County property on June 11.MSPCA-Angell
“It’s critical that we make space in the shelters so that we can continue to be there for people in the community who need to surrender, but right now that will be extremely challenging.” Keiley said. “We want to get these dogs into new homes as soon as they’re ready, so that they’re able to get the love and attention they deserve, while also opening up kennel space that would allow us to take in animals from local surrenders and transfers from local animal control departments, as well as out-of-state transports.”
The boxers will be added to the MSPCA’s “available animals” page at mspca.org/adoptadog as they become available for adoption. They will be adopted out of the MSPCA’s shelters in Boston, Methuen, and Salem during open hours, which vary by location.
Those interested in learning more about fostering a dog can find information at mspca.org/foster.
Those interested in donating to help offset costs may do so at mspca.org/boxers.
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