Pets

'Snow Place Like Home' Fee-Free Adoption Event Aims To Find Shelter Dogs Forever Holiday Homes

MSPCA-Angell is looking to rehome 100 or more dogs just in time for the holiday season.

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"If we're able to hit our adoption goal, we will have collectively adopted out 1,000 dogs during these kinds of events — a truly remarkable achievement." - Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division
"If we're able to hit our adoption goal, we will have collectively adopted out 1,000 dogs during these kinds of events — a truly remarkable achievement." - Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division (MSPCA-Angell)

SALEM, MA — The MSPCA-Angell is looking to find more than 100 shelter dogs their forever homes just in time for the holidays as part of a "Snow Place Like Home" adoption event starting on Monday.

MSPCA-Angell will partner with five of its shelter partners across the state for the adoption event that includes waived adoption fees for all dogs 1 year old or older.

The event begins Monday and runs through Dec. 14 at all four MSPCA-Angell shelters, as well as Berkshire Humane Society, Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Animal Care and Control,Baypath Humane Society and Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.

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"We started the coalition last year with the goal of reducing euthanasia in shelters across the state and improving the overall wellbeing of animals that call the Commonwealth home," said Jamie Garabedian, project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division.

"A big part of that is lowering the barriers to adoption that prevent people who could be amazing pet owners from coming to shelters, and cost is a huge barrier for many people, especially in tough economies like we’ve seen recently."

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Since the formation of the coalition in July 2024, the group has held 10 dog adoption events.

"It’s the holiday season — a time when everyone, including these homeless pets — should be celebrating with family and surrounded by love," Garabedian said. "If we're able to hit our adoption goal, we will have collectively adopted out 1,000 dogs during these kinds of events — a truly remarkable achievement."

This adoption event is focused on adult and larger-breed dogs, which typically have a harder time finding a forever home.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about adopting older dogs, like they can't be playful or energetic," Garabedian said. "Likewise with bigger dogs, a lot of people assume they need hours of exercise a day, but all dogs are different.

"When people used to come into shelters, they often wouldn't even consider those kinds of pets, but through these fee-waived events, we've been able to connect with them and bust some of those myths."

So far this year, 1,705 adult dogs have been adopted at MSPCA-Angell shelters — a 7 percent increase compared to 2024.

"It's been incredibly gratifying to see so many dogs go to new homes and thrive there," Garabedian expounded. "They're living their best lives snuggling on couches, playing with new pet siblings, exploring the outdoors.

"And we've been able to use that space in the shelters for other animals who need us. We're really hopeful that people are feeling the holiday spirit right now and have space in their hearts and homes to welcome a dog into their lives during this special event."

Hours vary by location:

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

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