25 Texas Emergency Rescue Dogs Arrive In MA For Adoption

BEDFORD, MA — More than two dozen rescue dogs arrived at Hanscom Field in Bedford from Texas on Tuesday and will soon be available for adoption out of one of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Northeast Animal Clinic locations in Boston, Salem, Methuen and on Cape Cod.

The 25 dogs range in age from 12 weeks to 10 years old and are mostly mixes of large breeds, including Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Hounds, and Catahoulas.

"This transport really required all hands on deck," MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection Mike Keiley said. "Every shelter we have needed to free up space for the dogs to complete their state-mandated quarantines.

"After they do that and get any medical care they may need, we'll also need adopters," he added, noting that the MSPCA will share updates on the dogs' adoption statuses on its social media platforms."

The MSPCA-Angell partnered with American Humane and Bissell Pet Foundation to rescue the dogs that Keiley said were not being provided the care they needed and were starting to suffer because of it.

"Unfortunately, it's near impossible to find transport partners for dogs right now, especially larger breeds, because most organizations are already full up," he said. "Our own population has been at or near capacity for more than a year at this point. But thanks to the success of our last adoption event, we were able to free up some space and knew we had to help."

Keiley said the week-long Ready, Set, Dog! adoption event during Boston Marathon week rehomed 135 dogs.

"Since the start of the population crisis, we’ve held adoption events like Ready, Set, Dog! periodically to help encourage adoptions and keep animals moving out of the shelters," he said. "Doing so has allowed us to continue helping our national partners like Berkeley Animal Center, as well as local partners who need help with animals in our backyards — something that would not be possible without the incredible support we get from the community with people adopting and fostering dogs.

“This approach has also helped us remain in a position to help with emergency transports like this one. Unfortunately, it seems like these situations are only increasing while there are fewer organizations in a position to help, so it's more important now than ever that we're able to step up."

Caring for the newly arrived Texas dogs is expected to cost roughly $5,000. Those interested in donating to help offset that cost may do so at here.

(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.)