From the Community

17 Chihuahuas Taken From JP Home, Up for Adoption at MSPCA-Angell in Boston and Cape Cod

By |

On the heels of last week’s surrender of 45 Ragdoll cats -- the MSPCA-Angell’s largest single-home cat surrender in five years -- the organization is now the temporary home of 17 Chihuahuas taken from a Jamaica Plain home after their families were forced to leave, the MSPCA announced Wednesday. The dogs, six males and 11 females, range in age from one to four. They are described as very active and in good health, but not without their challenges. “Our sense is that these dogs may never have left the apartments in which they lived and, as a result, will need time to learn how to walk on a leash, obey some basic commands and so on,” said Anna Rafferty-Arnold, associate director of the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center. “But we’re committed to working with them -- and their new owners -- to ensure they become excellent canine citizens,” she added.

773 Views
Animals

Annual JP Dog Parade, Costume and Fashion Show on Oct. 26

By |

Ruth Barker Ginsberg and 50 Shades of Grey(hound) were two of the best costumes at last year's annual Jamaica Plain Canine Costume Parade. What will dogs be sporting this year?? The 16th Annual JP Dog Parade, Costume & Fashion Show will take place on Saturday, October 26, starting at the First Baptist Church (633 Centre St.,) with signups starting at noon. The rolling rally parade will make its way down Centre Street with a police escort -- no word on whether the K-9 unit will be participating. The parade will finish at the Loring-Greenough House where costumed dogs (and their owners/guardians/life coaches) will strut on the red carpet.

1,035 Views
Animals

This Dog Was Trained to Track Turtles in Franklin Park for Zoo

By |

Dogs are trained to track many, many things. Drugs, guns, prey -- but turtles? That is the case for Koda, an Australian shepherd mix. Koda has been specifically trained to track and find eastern box turtles, which are a locally rare species in Massachusetts due to habitat loss. After a year of training, Koda got to test her her abilities in Franklin Park in late August -- and succeeded quite well!

1,001 Views
Environment

Arnold Arboretum Fights Flora with Fauna

By |

The Greeks knew it takes a thief to catch a thief. Today, taking a page from the ancients, scientists at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University are using one foreigner to combat another, but in this case it’s fauna against flora. The target: swallow-wort, or Vincetoxicum nigrum or V. rossicum, a weed that is no stranger (or friend) to city gardeners or country strollers. Cambridge, in fact, distributes flyers asking residents to yank the seed pods when they see them; in woodsier suburbs, whole trees can be swamped with the climber.

614 Views
From the Community

MSPCA Drops Adoption Fees for Animals Most in Need of Homes During National ‘Clear the Shelters’ Campaign

By |

As visitors prepare to flood animal shelters across the country during NBC Universal’s one-day “Clear the Shelters” adoption promotion on Saturday, Aug. 17, the MSPCA-Angell announced it will drop adoption fees for its most challenging-to-place animals in a bid to find them all homes on the day. The waiving of adoption fees is made possible by generous donors such as the Catvocates, a group of donors who subsidize adoption and spay-neuter initiatives at the MSPCA. Holding Out for a Hero
The MSPCA’s three animal care and adoption centers in Boston, Methuen and Centerville will each waive adoption fees for pets described by staff as “harder to place,” such as shy cats, senior dogs and long-term horse residents. Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs for the MSPCA-Angell, said the organization is eager to capitalize on the spotlight that the national “Clear the Shelter” campaign shines on pet adoption.

836 Views