MSPCA announces closure of three adoption centers, job cuts

I don't even want to begin to think about what's going to happen to the animals that are still there at closing time.

Very sad to hear about the closures. The Brockton facility is needed facility. It's staff has always been professional and helpful when I've visited.

Sad that crucial service providers are closing, while our friends in the banking industry are living high on the hog with the taxpayer funded trips to spas, resorts, and Las Vegas in their taxpayer funded corporate jets .Nice.

What an absolute shame that all of these innocent dogs and cats, needing rescue from the cruelty/neglect of humans, will now be left out in the cold.
(and now, will have to stay there.).
I wonder if the MSPCA could hold an emergency fund raiser to keep these adoption centers open?

I feel very badly for all in this mess we're in but the animals cannot help themselves...now is the time for every state in the nation to enact laws to fix or spay all domestic pets and make it MANDATORY! If you're a reputable, responsible, and respectable breeder that's a different story but come on folks let's stop the murder of millions of animals every year across this country...SOLVE THE PROBLEM...

oh no!

the ripples of the republican created economic disaster will be felt for years to come...

What an absolute shame that these innocent animals, victims of human abuse and neglect, will now be left out in the cold . (And will have to stay there.)

With all of the money that the state seems to be able to scrape up for that which does nothing to elevate the integrity and value of our Commonwealth (e.g, building casinos...) ,one would think the MSPCA might receive a bit of assistance to help suffering animals desperately needing both rescue, and appropriate laws, to adequately deter and punish abusers of animals- to make our state a more humane and peaceful one.
Barring that, perhaps the MSPCA can promote a last ditch fundraiser to raise the essential money to keep the shelters open and functioning?

I am also disappointed to read about the closures. Having worked at a local animal hospital, I know what it means to have available shelters in these areas.

I pray that all the dogs and cats remaining when these facilities close find homes. The shelters need to do everything possible to save these dogs from being put down.

This is another reason to rescue animals that are up for adoption and to boycot stores that sell cats and dogs!!! Not only are families being evicted or foreclosed upon but helpless animals also. It is shame to see such facilities such as the MSPCA having to close facilities when there is a great need now for their services.

I am friends with an MSPCA employee and he said that the #1 question asked by staff when they were told today was "What happens to the animals when the shelters close?" The staff was told that every effort will be made to adopt or transfer to other rescue groups and that all remaining animals will be split between the Boston, Centerville, and Methuen locations. A lot of tears were shed at the MSPCA today...

OK, this is too much!!!! Maybe it is time we all got involved in helping the animals. MSPCA is going to need our help and I am going to think of ways to promote them on websites etc. Please everyone think of giving some small donation, or even some fund raiser.

The situation is devastating to both people and animals. The statistics are significant. The Brockton Shelter and others provide irreplaceable services for Brockton and surrounding communities.

The bar is being set for three major concerns. Closing of the shelters opens the door to a pulblic health risk relative to an increase of rabies, increased animal abuse, and job losses. After closure, the future of many of the animals will be abandonment to the outdoors, neglect or left behind in apartments and homes. The reporting structure for abused animals will be compromised.

Consider the question, how as a society do we justify salary offers of millions a year and permit atrocities to those we need to advocate for? Where is the bailout for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Let us not be apathetic to this cause!

I am glad we can afford to pay billions to corrupt banks and investment houses, the executives of which took in millions in bonuses. We can spend billions more on benefits for people who are in this country illegally.

But we can't afford to take care of helpless animals. Says a lot about the state of our country!

Carter Luke, the MSPCA president, said the organization had seen "devastating" endowment losses of 25.7 percent, or more than $11 million, in 2008.

*THEY STILL HAVE 33 MILLION.* I understand that it's psychologically scary to lose 25% of your portfolio, but I wish they would consider sticking it out. We're not going to be in this recession forever and their mission is even MORE important now that people have to give up their animals!

the president of this organization makes over $300,000 a year. Most of these dogs are brought in from the South and Puerto Rico because there is NO abandoned dog problem in Mass. The market has cleared.

How incredibly sad..

This is such a shame. There should be a massive media campaign to promote personal donations to save these centers. I believe there are enough animal lovers in this state that would be willing to contribute to keep these centers open, but a well coordinated and organized campaign needs to be put together. I shutter to think of the poor animals that will suffer because of this.

This is disgusting that Carter Luke and his very expensive executive staff couldn't figure out how to make this organization run more efficiently particular with an obvious weak economy. Now his answer is closing and cuts. Good job Luke. Way to show some leadership. You may know animals but you don't know good business and the MSPCA needs leaders who understand better business sense. These cut are going to come back to bite you Luke. All the good willpeople have worked so hard to build, especially in Brockton, is all going to waste. Sleep well Carter.

This is truly a tragedy for animals in Massachusetts. I work for a shelter that helps out the MSPCA when we can, and I shudder to think of the repercussions this will have. Kitten season is going to be a nightmare. We MUST continue to focus on low-cost spay/neuter to help stop overpopulation before it starts. That is the only way any of this will ever get better.

I volunteer at the Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, and I am praying that they don't close it as well. This news is simply devastating.

It really pains me to see this happening. I volunteered at the Brockton shelter for over 2 years. It is a vital part of the community in addition to the services it provides to animals. The fallout will be terrible.

It's absolutely despicable to see organizations like the MSPCA closing its doors. Too think of the $600 billion that has been wasted in Iraq, and then to see charitable organizations in our OWN country suffering is just nauseating.

how about a bailout to save the animals !??

What a tragedy. The MSPCA does so much for animals and communities. Who will serve those areas now?

It is sad to know that many more helpless animals will suffer great losses due to the economy. Brockton's facility has been one of the best I have ever seen and I only wish I could financially help them more than I have in the past. I will continue renewing my membership with the MSPCA in the hope that in the future some or all of the facilities will reopen. God bless the many workers and volunteers for their efforts in the operation of the Brockton shelter.

Andrew you highlight a very sad reality... I still can't fathom WHY the goverment is bailing every white collar criminal out. The MSPCA is a truly GIVING organization. I volunteered, then worked w/ them years ago and it wasn't easy! No one knows what pour sickly creature (s) will be found on the door step in the morning- in a cage freezing or tied to the railing. I have witnessed the instant Love and instant care given to ANY animal the staff encounters. I also know their principles- any pet in the shelters that are closing will be transfered to other shelters in the area. Anyway, if you have a dime- donated it!

"The centers took in a total of more than 11,000 animals last year. " How can you write a story about the closing of four centers that cared for 11,000 plus animals and NOT tell the readers A) what is going to happen to the animals currently housed in the facilities that are going to be closed!!!!!??, and B) whether MSPCA runs no-kill shelters? Incomplete reporting; bad editing. How about an update? Information about alternative shelters in the affected areas would be useful as well.

I would imagine that the animals that are still there when they close will simply be moved to another one of their adoption centers. The MSPCA is not going to simply euthanize an adoptable animal that they have paid to have vetted, etc, simply because that particular center is closing.

This is a very sad day. I worry for all of those animals. I think we will begin to see more cruelty to these animals than ever before.

All the more reason people should adopt their pets instead of purchasing them from a pet store or breeder.

you can't do that ,these poor little buggers depend on us.yeah i know times are real tough ,but we as a nation need to pull togetherand help each other ,if not we will become extinct,as well as these animals that need us to help them,just as we need each other to pull us out of this mess that we are experiencing.no one but us can do it(if that makes sence,it does if you think of it)lord help us thanks guys for letting me voice my opinion.if i can help at all,please let me know.i finally am pulling,well will try my hardest to get my family out of this mess,meaning my husband who i must say has been working his but off for 23 years-16-18 hours a day with having 6-8 hours off on the weekends.it has to start somewhere so it is to start with me. thanks

This should be high on a priority list of the MA to keep organizations like this open. Meanwhile people in the MBTA who is financially imoral pays their workers overtime and over 100k per year..

Please consider saving an animal at one of these centers befor eits too late.

So...what the heck is going to happen to the animals?

VERY BAD NEWS !! I think the closeing of the Brockton Shelter will be devistating to this area. There will be more stray dogs than ever dieing undeserved & painful deaths. Among them many Pitbulls raised in a life they had no control over that will pose a grave danger to people and children in the Brockton area. This shelter is located in an area where it is desperately needed!!

Although we adopted our dog from the Milton Animal Shleter, it had originally been found as a stray in Brockton. The Brockton facility was so overcrowded that there was no room for him and therefore they brought him to Milton. Fortunately for us we saw him the day after he was brought and we knew we would be bringing him home. A little over six years later he's having the time of his life.

Sadly, given the fact that the Brockton MSPCA is shutting, one can only imagine how many strays will be wandering through the city now! Plus you have the Animal Rescue League recently closing it's Pembroke facility. Not good news for unwanted animals on the South Shore!

I am so shocked and upset. I volunteered at the MSPCA in Brockton and it is one of nicest, best run shelters around. They truly love the animals and the staff /volunteers regularly hold bake sales, yard sales, other events to assist with the costs. They are so dedicated and there is such a need for that shelter. I am just in shock

I am volunteer at the Brockton shelter and am heartbroken at this news!

I got my baby cat Bebe from the facility in Methuen (Nevins Farm). If that ever closes........ I don't want to even think about the poor animals. What will happen to them?

Why is it that the one adoption center in all of Western Massachusetts is being shut down? I do understand the financial side but can not understand how the MSPCA cna turn it's back on the animals in the Western part of the state - it's just wrong!

Please contact your legislators NOW. Beg them to help and support HBHD 1553 and those related to spa/neuter animal protection NOW. We will have fewer unwanted aimals w/these laws.

Don't blame the MSPCA, they are fantastic. This is because of the economy, humans are also losing their homes too. I love the MSPCA, I know their policies, I did some volunteer work for them. They also have one of the most prestigious veterinary hospitals in the world, and the MSPCA has made a lot of legislation happen to help animals in need. I am more upset by the banks who take bailout money and then award bonuses to their CEOs. The MSPCA's problems are as a result of the economy, just like everything else.

One comment remarks that most of the dogs come from the South and Puerto Rico. This is false. The MSPCA exists for the residents of MA. I have volunteered in Methuen for 10+ years and these animals are all local.
The MSPCA cannot be no-kill because when the no-kill shelters fill up, the animals need a place to go. Law-enforcement cases, strays, foreclosures, all end up at the MSPCA. The remaining MSPCA shelters are going to fill up faster now and will have to euthanize more. Please, people, it is critical to spay/neuter and adopt from shelters, but also volunteer!!! With all the people living in metro Boston, it's pathetic that a handful show up on weekends! And it's free!

Vincent - Would you prefer that the MSPCA-Angell be managed more like Citibank, Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, Chrysler, GM, and on and on... From what I've read MSPCA-Angell has been cutting costs and operating revenue is up. Unfortunately it is not enough: the monies received from services and fundraising do not cover all the program costs.

As I read this, I continue to be amazed at the greed of executives everywhere in this country. Why can't the top brass take salary cuts, reduce so-called business dinners and entertainment and other fluff and use those funds to provide the care needed for these animals? Maybe someone who actually has proof of the salaries could expose some info to the media and get some attention that might help the animals.

henner -- it's not bad reporting/editing: it's likely that information about what will be done with the animals hasn't been decided/released. A reporter can only do so much with the information they are given!

Moreover, all ASPCA shelters are kill shelters, because they believe that sometimes the humane thing to do is to euthanize (in the case of sick animals, this is true). Specifically, the MSPCA is one of the only shelters in Mass that doesn't reject animals, but they only have so much space. I've volunteered in the Boston shelter, and when EVERY other Boston shelter turned away cats this summer, the MSPCA was still taking them. People are abandoning their animals left, right and center, and the MSPCA provides an invaluable service. This really upsetting news, all around.

I suspect what will happen is that as many animals as possible will be moved to the other shelters. Volunteers at the remaining shelters will become crucial, as there will be less full-time staff to care for the animals. The MSPCA is always open to volunteers, and all you have to do is attend an orientation. I encourage people to get into it!

The salaries of the MSPCA top executives are available to the public (it is the law, they try and hide it as best they can). The most recent 990 available online is from 2006. Check Guidestar (it's free) it will be a HUGE eye opener I promise you.
Shame on you, Mspca! All those millions you squandered on your big salaries and big egos.

It's unbelievable that the first line of action for the MSPCA top executives is to shut their doors to homeless animals instead of figuring out a way to cut the fat out of thier cushy corporate ranks. Shame on you for giving yourselves fat salaries and perks while thousands of animals are homess in the communites you are shutting down. Yes the ecomony is in terrible shape, but the MSPCA's top management teams is even worse! With the MILLIONS you still have in the coffers, couldn't you smart people be more creative??? I'm sorry for the donors whose generosity you are scandering!

This is devastating. The MSPCA on Martha's Vineyard was the best animal shelter there, and nursed so many animals back to health over the years, never mind all the animals they brought over from across the sea in order to stop them from being euthanized. The staff is wonderful and loving, as all MSPCA staff members are--I'm truly beyond words. A part of me can't even believe that this is happening.

What is going happen to all the animals on the island? Where else do they have to go? It's like shutting down a hospital or an orphanage, only these tenets can't speak up for themselves, nor can they go anywhere else! I hate to think of how many animal lives are going to be lost because of this.

This MSPCA can't be closed. It just can't. Closing a facility like that on an island makes as much sense as shutting off the electricity there, too.

Someone from the press really should be asking Carter Luke these questions! So, they lost 11 million last year from their endowment, that leaves exactly how many million left? And what about the other 50 million dollars or so that they made in donations and FEES for services (non-profit eh)?
This crying poor is really sickening. The poor animals. I pray another organization can step up and take over the Brockton area shelter. It will be a horrible situation for animals otherwise.

I too, am absolutely heart sick over this announcement, having supported and adopted animals from the Brockton shelter and attended their various fund raising activities I am now worried about not only local animals in need of help, but also public access to animals in need of adoption. The Brockton shelter is a very important local resource and I for one would like to see it remain open. What can I do to help change MSPCA President Carter Luke's mind in this matter. What can I do to help?

Mary, look into some of the other non-profit humane societies in your area and call them. I read in the Enterprise that several other organizations are going to work together to keep the shelter open. but they don't have the money the MSPCA has, so it's important to support them in this effort.

The Republicans and unbridled capitalism have taken so much from America. Every day our hearts are broken by something new and awful.

This has NOTHING to do with Republicans. The MSPCA is a NON-PROFIT Corporation. The Govt. doesn't give them any funding. And the very reason this MULTI-million dollar organization has so much money to begin with is because of the "unbridled capitalism" you put down so easily.
Stop making everything political, especially when it is NOT. The MSPCA may have lost some money in 2008 (who hasn't?) but they still have PLENTY of money to run these shelters. They just don't want to anymore. That is really the bottom line.

We are on an island - where in the world are the animals to go? Swim over to Nantucket or take Cape Air into Boston? What are the powers that be thinking? The Vineyard shelter has for years been a place for hard to place animals and those with special issues to get the care and help they need and to find a loving home. Other shelters looked to the Vineyard to send animals over, knowing they would get placed quickly. This closure is going to backfire on the MSPCA.

I adopted my dog from the Springfield MSPCA. Closing the MSPCA in Springfield is going to be devastating. What will happen to the animals? Will they just be dumped onto the streets? What about the rabies clinic? What about the spay and neutering clinic? There will be more stray animals on the streets because many people cannot afford to take their pets to a full priced vet and need the clinics. Western Mass does not have nearly enough facilities for animals. With the economic situation and more and more people having to surrender their animals the problem may very well become overwhelming. Was it poor management that resulted in this. Please don't!
Please don

Fire Carter Luke and replace staff workers at sites w volunteers. That should help them to stay afloat and keep the sites open they are proposing to close. Also they should become a NO KILL organization. By taking in every animal surrendered they not only have to euthenize perfectly healthy great animals to give a new one a space but have to pay for the increased costs to accept every animal. Also if they only took in animals as space became avail(not by euthenizing other animals)many owners would be forced to keep their animals instead which is something most should be doing anyways.

The newscasters reported the executives earning between 100k and 300k were the top thinkers in their field. Let them think of a way to keep these shelters open and a NO KILL organization. Once they have "thought" of a solution, the high paid executives should be fired, with no golden parachutes, for not thinking of this solution earlier. I am sure we could find "top thinkers" for much less cost in salary, benefits, severance pay and retirement funding. Think of the good people who have helped these animals at these locations through donations, taxes, or volunteer hours only to be led astra by skewed numbers of the animals they tends to and the lack of money available to help these poor animals whiles\e the fat cat exectutives keep getting fatter.

Type your comment here... Carter Luke - since you made almost as much as the president of the US makes a year, why not bail out your own interests? or where are your interests really? It's doesn't seem to be for the animals. all my little donations through the years is'nt even pocket change for you. and i thought i was helping scraping a little money togeather from my $8.- dollar an hr part time job. Your greed is the same that has caused animal suffering.

Carter Luke, What are you going to give up for these animals rights???? You should be ashamed of yourself using the welfare of these animals for a reason to collect donations so they can pay your outragious salary. Exploting the plight of these animals for your well being. Your closing these 3 centers to make sure you can still make you outragious salary. You don't care about these animals only yourself. I will never donate to the MSPCA again nor will alot of others. What a shame because to me the animals are the only ones who will lose here.

Here's a thought. Instead of everyone complaining about where are all the animals going to go, let's prevent them from being born. It costs money to collect, feed, shelter and give medical attention to unwanted dogs and cats.
Something to the tune of $2 billion nation wide. If people would be a little more responsible and spay or neuter their pets this wouldn't be an issue.