SALEM, MA — A shortage of shelter space caused by increased dog surrenders and a drop in adoptions is prompting the MSPCA-Angell to host another fee-free adoption weekend with the goal of finding 100 pups their new forever homes by Sunday.
The MSPCA-Angell and six animal shelter partners across Massachusetts are waiving adoption fees for all dogs aged one and older this weekend as part of their "Pup-kin Spice" event.
"It's no secret that we've had a lot of cats come through our doors recently," said MSPCA-Angell Project Manager Jamie Garabedian. "But, unfortunately, the pace of dogs needing to come into care hasn't slowed either, and adoptions are down as well."
Garabedian said dog adoptions across the MSPCA-Angell's shelters are down 19% this year compared to the same time in 2025.
"That means that space is tight not just for us, but for our partner shelters in the MASS (Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support) coalition as well," she said.
Fees will be waived for dogs aged one and older at all four MSPCA-Angell adoption centers (in Boston, Salem, Methuen, and Centerville on Cape Cod), as well as Boston Animal Control, Lowell Humane Society, Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center, Worcester Animal Rescue League, Dakin Humane Society, and Scituate Animal Shelter — its first event since joining the coalition.
"We've long been saying that the only way to address the greatest challenges in animal welfare is to work together, and we're really excited that the (MASS) coalition is growing," Garabedian said. "With each new shelter that joins, we've got even more of Massachusetts covered, and that's only a benefit for animals across the state."
The MSPCA-Angell said 228 dogs have been adopted at coalition events since June, but given the number of organizations involved, the MSPCA-Angell has set an ambitious goal for the Pup-kin Spice event — and for good reason.
Groups involved in the adoptathon hope to collectively rehome at least 100 dogs, something Garabedian says is necessary to ensure that there is space for animals who need a place to go in the future.
"Often when we put out calls for adopters, people look at the website and think that we don't actually have that many animals in our shelters," she said. "But we're caring for many more than people can see."
"Some need to spend more time with us for medical or behavioral reasons, some are involved in Law Enforcement cases. Those animals aren't available for adoption, but they're here, which means that space is often much tighter than the community realizes."
The Pup-kin Spice adoptathon begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Hours vary by location. Adoption fees are being partially subsidized by Hill's Pet Nutrition.
More information and adoptable dogs may be found at here.
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