Thousands of homeless animals found families out of Massachusetts this year

BOSTON (WLNE) — The MSPCA-Angell transported a record-breaking number of pets to their forever homes this year.

Shelter officials said 4,800 homeless dogs and dogs were taken from areas with few adopters to Massachusetts, where they were eagerly taken into loving arms.

Ten of those pets stood out to shelter officials, leaving an impact for their strength after overcoming serious medical procedures.

The MSPCA-Angell listed the following animals as the top 10 saves of the year:

• Valentina, a 12-week-old chocolate labrador, was surrendered to a veterinary clinic in Arizona. The veterinarian contacted the MSPCA-Angell for help after the puppy couldn’t keep food down. Valentina was flown to Boston in February and had successful corrective surgery for a vascular ring anomaly. Valentina was quickly adopted into a loving home.
• Mochi, a 4-month-old munchkin kitten, was surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell late last year after drastic changes from a mystery illness that was never seen by anyone in the organization. Mochi lost both of her ears and her tail. Specialists finally diagnosed her with ischemic dermatopathy. Mochi was adopted by a Boston-area family.
• Marty, a 30-year-old mini pony, was surrendered to Nevins Farm late last year. He was underweight and had dental issues that made it difficult for him to eat. He was nursed back to health and gained more than 50 pounds in a few months. Marty is the oldest mini pony ever rehomed by the MSPCA. Marty was adopted into a family who already had three horses.
• Rooster, a young tabby cat, was rescued from a dumpster in Dorchester this summer. Boston Animal Control found him with a broken jaw and a badly damaged right eye. MSPCA-Angell veterinarians had to remove his eye and surgical repair his jaw. It’s still unknown how he ended up in the dumpster. Rooster was adopted in August.
• Captain, one of several pigs surrendered from a home last spring, inspired a free adopt-a-thon for pigs — only the second one in MSPCA-Angell history. All but two pigs at Nevins Farm found homes in one weekend — including Captain, who was adopted along with a rooster to a family who already had pigs.
• Jobee, a dog allegedly abandoned on the streets, is lucky to be alive. An MSPCA-Angell emergency care specialist said Jobee was the “worst case of intentional starvation” he had ever seen. Jobee was healed in a few months and found a family in November. His previous owner was charged with animal cruelty.
• A Taylor Swift Fan, a 1-year-old cat that came to the Northeast Animal Shelter from Texas due to overcrowding, was named after a very successful year for a certain popstar. The cat, originally called Screamer, calmed down when Taylor Swift music was played at the shelter, so officials renamed him. He bonded with another shy cat, Peanut Butter Jelly, and the two were adopted together in May.
• Roger, a dog at the center of a severe animal cruelty case, was found by authorities in South Carolina with a neck injury so extreme that a neighbor believed someone had attacked him. Veterinarians saw his wound was caused by a deeply embedded buckle collar. The clinic was overwhelmed, and the 4-year-old mastiff mix came to the MSPCA-Angell. His original owner did not come forward. The damaged tissue on his neck was removed and Roger was adopted into a New England family in July.
• Hundreds of mice rescued from a single home motivated a free adopt-a-thon. Of the original 500, many were brought to shelters in the state. The MSPCA was left with 250, and waived the adoption fee, finding homes for all of them in just two days in September. The adoption event resulted in long lines of adopters at Nevins Farm.
• Gumby, an 11-week-old kitten, came to Massachusetts from an overcrowded shelter in Texas in November. Both of his back legs were severely deformed, and MSPCA-Angell staff found that surgery would not guarantee him more mobility. They searched for an adopter who could take on his needs, and he found a forever home with animal advocate and radio personality Danielle Murr. Gumby was renamed Noodles and now lives with another cat, a dog, and hamsters.

Those who would like to donate to the MSPCA in the new year can do so online.