Want to adopt a big dog? You can do it now with no fees. Here’s where to go in MA

• You can adopt a big dog in Massachusetts fee-free with the latest campaign by the MSPCA-Angell
• The campaign is called “Big Dog Energy”
• The “intake of dogs at the MSPCA-Angell has increased 11% this year compared to the same period in 2024,” according to a report from the agency

Big dogs need love too.

That’s the message from the MSPCA-Angell this week.

The MSPCA-Angell and several coalition partners in Massachusetts announced this week that they are holding a special fee-waived adoptathon for all dogs aged one and older.

“We’ve been saying for a long time that adoptions of larger dogs have slowed down over the past couple of years, and it’s causing a capacity problem for us and many other shelters,” said Project Manager of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, Jamie Garabedian in a press release.

Here’s what to know about adopting a big dog.

What is the MSPCA-Angell’s current campaign?

The event is called “Big Dog Energy” and it begins Monday, April 21. The adoptathon will run through Sunday, April 27 at 10 shelters across the state waving fees for certain dogs.

They hope to rehome 100 dogs during the weeklong campaign.

The usual fees for adopting is generally $500 for adult dogs and $350 for senior dogs, according to the MSPCA-Angell.

What shelters in Massachusetts are participating?

According to the MSPCA-Angell, all four of its adoption centers—in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod—are taking part in the event, as well as Lowell Humane Society and MASS coalition partners Berkshire Humane Society, Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Control, Dakin Humane Society, and Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center.

Has the intake of big dogs increased at shelters in Massachusetts?

Garabedian said the “intake of dogs at the MSPCA-Angell has increased 11% this year compared to the same period in 2024.”

She noted that includes strays, surrenders, and seizures related to law enforcement cases.

“We want to continue to be there for all the animals who need to come into our care for various reasons, but if we aren’t able to free up space, that might not be possible,” Garabedian said in a release.

Where can more information be found?

The hours of the shelters vary by location, so check mspca.org/dogs for the best times to visit. The MSPCA-Angell stated that Dakin Humane will be participating only on April 25 and April 26.

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