Dakin Humane Society (Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society): Shelter+ Challenge Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

The $1,000 grant was used for general operating expenses, rather than a specific project, but it was a vital part of Dakin’s larger quest to create a community where no adoptable or treatable animal dies for lack of a home and to ensure that animals living in underserved communities receive access to veterinary care.

Contributions to Dakin Humane Society make it possible for Dakin to provide a wide range of services to animals and their people. Since the grant award, Dakin celebrated its 40,000th surgery at our Community Spay/Neuter Clinic, we launched low-cost vaccine clinics that provide life-saving vaccine, parasite control, and simple blood tests for the pets of low-income families in Springfield; and our efforts have led to a 36% decline in kitten intake in the past two years—results that have allowed us to allocate resources to saving the lives of even more sick, injured, and elderly homeless cats.

How many pets did this grant help?

The cost of care of a single animal who goes through our adoption program is $513. This grant helped us provide care for two adoptable animals until they could find their new homes.

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Chicago is a little brown Chihuahua found stray on the streets of the Windy City by college students who were passing through. This tiny dog was bravely enduring the pain of severely rotten teeth. Dakin’s adoption center veterinary team removed nearly all of Chicago’s teeth prior to placing her up for adoption. The relief she felt from the elimination of her pain made Chicago a new dog–suddenly cheerful and friendly, rather than lethargic and depressed. She found a new home quickly through Dakin’s Leverett Adoption Center. Chicago now lives in luxury with her new Chihuahua friend.