The Impact You Made in 2008
These animals have been granted happy endings or legal justice thanks to your support. Help more animals again in 2009 and become a member or renew your membership today.

In 2008, donors like you helped us save the lives of thousands of animals. Since we do not receive government funding or funding from other SPCAs, it is only with your help that we are able to care for these sick, injured, neglected and abused animals. Beating the odds thanks to your donations, the animals below are now living happy, healthy lives thanks to your support. Please consider becoming a 2009 MSPCA Member by making a donation today, so that we can continue to care for more animals in 2009.

Big Red: Dog Survives Being Hit by Two Cars
A nine-year-old intact, male retriever mix was brought to Angell Animal Medical Center by Boston Animal Control after surviving being struck by multiple cars. “Big Red”, as the medical staff named the 94lb patient, was hit by two cars on Hyde Park Avenue. Emergency and Critical Care doctors at Angell immediately examined Big Red when he was admitted and quickly identified abdominal bleeding. The bleeding was controlled as he was stabilized. Big Red miraculously did not sustain any broken bones from the collisions. Following attempts through the media to find Big Red’s owner, he was placed up for adoption at Boston Animal Control where he remains.

Edison: Six-Week-Old Kitten Allegedly "Cooked" in Microwave
Newton: Kitten Survives a Three-Story Fall
Edison and Newton came to the MSPCA-Angell on separate days; however, their lives soon intertwined. Edison was first brought to the MSPCA-Angell after being "cooked" in a microwave. Edison’s life-threatening injuries ranged from the need to amputate half of his tail, burns to his legs and ears, including a dime sized hole on one ear, as well as blisters on his tongue. This brave kitten is energetic and having a blast with his veterinarian foster mom who decided to adopt him. Newton, a six-week-old kitten, was surrendered to the MSPCA-Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center battered and bruised after surviving a three-story fall. He required several months of rest and recuperation with the same veterinarian foster mom as Edison, who adopted him as well!

Greyhounds: Massachusetts’ Residents Vote to Phase Out Dog Racing in 2010
On November 4, the residents of Massachusetts overwhelmingly voted Yes on Question 3 to phase out dog racing in the Commonwealth by 2010. The victory for the dogs underscored the tremendous empathy that the state’s residents have for animals. The campaign was spearheaded by several animal welfare organizations including Grey2K USA and the MSPCA.

Hope: Angell Vets Remove Rubber Band That Had Been Around Kitten's Neck for Weeks
Hope, a four-month-old female Calico cat, arrived at Angell Animal Medical Center with a rubber band deeply embedded in her neck. After being surrendered by a Good Samaritan, Hope underwent immediate examination by Angell veterinarians who uncovered and removed the rubber band. Angell Veterinarians concluded that the extent of Hope’s injuries, including a one-inch wide laceration nearly one-half inch deep to the front of her neck, prove that the rubber band had been slowly embedding itself for up to four weeks as she grew. Through Hope’s physical examination Angell veterinarians also concluded that she had been on the streets for much less than four weeks raising suspicions of possible abuse. MPSCA Law Enforcement continues to investigate Hope’s case and asks witnesses who wish to speak confidentially to please call (800) 628-5808. Hope remains in foster care from her wounds and will be placed up for adoption once she is fully healed.

Jabba: The MSPCA-WNE Declared “Jabba the Mutt Week”
Jabba the Mutt was surrendered in April to the MSPCA-Western New England (WNE) Animal Care and Adoption Center when his owners could no longer afford to provide his care. Jabba had been living outdoors with his mother and brother who would attack him during each meal. Due to the ongoing abuse Jabba became terribly thin and covered in scars on his face and legs. The staff at the adoption center made sure that Jabba gained weight, however it took five months and the time began to mentally wear down Jabba. In an effort to help find Jabba a home as quickly as possible, the adoption center staff declared September 14-21 as “Jabba the Mutt Week.” Shortly thereafter, Jabba found a new home with an MSPCA-WNE volunteer.

Lila: Kitten Allegedly Thrown from Building
The MSPCA’s Law Enforcement department responded after a three-month-old kitten was allegedly hurled from the upper floor of a building. Lila, a brown tiger domestic short hair kitten, required surgery after the alleged abuse broke the top of her femur within her hip joint, leaving her with a visible limp and in danger of living her life in constant pain from the jagged break. Lila was found clearly suffering from a leg injury after an officer was called to her home. Lila and another companion cat (that was not injured) were both removed from the home. Upon examination by a staff veterinarian at the MSPCA’s Noble Family Animal Care and Adoption Center, it was discovered that Lila required an FHO surgery (femoral head ostectemy) to alleviate her pain. The investigation and search for the suspect continues in an effort to discover the perpetrator of this alleged act of cruelty however Lila is now resting in her forever home.

Nicholas: Eight-Week-Old Kitten Suffers Burns to Face
An eight-week-old kitten believed to be set on fire was found still smoldering as he wandered the Hungry Hill neighborhood of Springfield. Nicholas, named after St. Nick, was rescued by a Good Samaritan who found him lying in the road in pain with smoke rising from his fur. He was immediately brought to the MSPCA-WNE for medical treatment. Nicholas suffered from burns to his face, including his ears and tongue. Fur across his body was singed and his whiskers had been burned off. Nicholas has since recovered from his injuries and has returned to being a playful kitten in his new home. Community members wishing to provide information in Nicholas’ investigation should contact the MSPCA-WNE Law Enforcement department at 1-413-750-7661 or call 1-800-628-5808.

Orca: Kitten Battled Multiple Life Threatening Ailments
Orca, a six-month-old domestic long hair kitten, resided for several days in Angell Animal Medical Center’s Emergency/Critical Care Unit in an oxygen tank. The fragile kitten arrived with severe fecal matting and soon was at the center of an MSPCA Law Enforcement investigation of a Worcester County resident who surrendered nearly one dozen cats among other animals to the MSPCA-Angell. The cats arrived at the MSPCA-Angell in need of immediate medical attention including one cat who succumbed to multiple ailments. Orca fought on against severe emaciation, an upper respiratory infection, a compromised immune system due to chronic malnutrition, skin infections and anemia due to an extreme flea infestation. Orca’s ailments were also addressed while she was in the MSPCA’s Foster program; however, her condition worsened due to flea anemia; she required a lifesaving blood transfusion through Angell’s Blood Donor program that once again allowed her body to produce red blood cells. Orca is now happy and healthy in her new home.

Orville and Wilbur: Love is a Matter of the Heart
Orville and Wilbur were four-week-old kittens when they arrived at the MSPCA-WNE. As underage kittens, a foster home was needed. Under the expert eye of premier foster volunteers, Buffy Spencer and Don Williams, it was soon noticed that Orville was not feeling well; he was half the size of Wilbur and lethargic. Upon examination, it was discovered that Orville had a heart murmur and the initial prognosis suggested that he would not likely survive a year. An echocardiogram appeared to confirm that diagnosis, but due to his young age, it was recommended the test be repeated in a month when the prognosis might improve. An Angell-Boston cardiologist later confirmed that Orville’s murmur was caused by a damaged valve and, additionally, he had a hole in his heart. Due to Orville’s age there was a good chance that the hole would close as he grew and that the murmur was secondary to the hole in his heart. If the hole closed, the valve could repair itself. Orville was sent home with no restrictions on enjoying life to its fullest. Within their first weekend home, Orville bravely ventured out of his room, walking right through the legs and under the chins of the big cats that were now part of his family. Wilbur initiated sleeping in bed with the new family and Orville was not shy about staking his claim to an available pillow. Orville is growing into his new name…Liam…which means “strong willed warrior.”

Poppy: Cat Found Alive in Knotted Bag on Highway
Poppy, a young, Calico cat was found in a knotted bag, in the Methuen/Haverhill area off the side of Route 110. At the time she was found, Poppy was meowing and trying unsuccessfully to escape from the bag. Poppy was brought to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen where she received care and was later adopted into her new home. The MSPCA Law Enforcement department is still asking any member of the public who might possess information about Poppy to contact them at 1-800-628-5808 or 1-617-522-6008.

Smitty: Pit Bull Puppy Thrown from Third Story Window
In a case of shocking animal cruelty, a seven-week-old male Pit Bull was thrown from a third story window of a Springfield apartment building, landing on the paved ground below. The puppy’s skull and two legs were fractured from the fall. Springfield Police brought Smitty, named for one of the police officers, to the MSPCA-WNE after being called to the scene. Smitty was then transferred to Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston and was evaluated by surgeons. Due to his age, and a bit of luck, Smitty did not require immediate surgery and was quickly adopted once the community heard his story. Following an extensive investigation by the MSPCA Law Enforcement department and the Springfield Police, Jacques Coleman, 19, pled guilty to animal cruelty in Smitty's case and was sentenced to one-year in jail.

Snowball: Cat Recovered at Angell After Allegedly Being Beaten with a Frying Pan
Snowball, a three-year-old domestic shorthair cat, was surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell after he was allegedly beaten with a frying pan. According to media reports, Snowball was hit by his owner’s boyfriend after the cat knocked over a computer monitor. Angell veterinarians identified injuries to the left side of Snowball’s head as well as his right ear and front left foot. He was monitored by Angell staff in the hospital’s Intensive Care Ward for neurological damage which thankfully he did not sustain. Snowball then spent several months in foster care as his wounds spread as is frequent with crushing injuries. However it was several weeks following his treatment that wounds consistent with having been burned began to surface; possibly from a hot liquid in the pan. The new injuries added to Snowball’s recuperation period and saw his potential line adopters fade away as his story left the newspapers. It was several weeks later that Snowball finally found a new home.

Trent: Python Found Nailed to Telephone Pole in Lawrence
Trent, a two-foot-long Ball Python, found nailed to a telephone pole in Lawrence was cared for by Avian and Exotics specialists at Boston’s MSPCA-Angell. Trent was rescued by Lawrence Animal Control and pliers were required to remove the five roofing nails that impaled him to the pole. Lawrence Animal control brought Trent directly to the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen where he was provided with basic veterinary care before being transferred to the MSPCA-Angell. Trent underwent a battery of examinations to determine the extent of his injuries and luckily none of his major organs had been harmed. Following several weeks of compassion and care by an MSPCA veterinary technician, he found a new home with his foster mother. The MSPCA Law Enforcement department is still asking anyone with information regarding this attack to call their tip hotline at 1-617-522-6008.