Spirit cats are very shy with people, and live in your home but are rarely seen – hence their name. They are cats who coexist in your home, and sometimes may grant you the opportunity to touch them – or they may not. Despite being shy with people, spirit cats are usually great with other cats! They are used to living with many cats, and can make excellent companions for cats in your home. It’s not uncommon for a spirit cat to get used to one or two people over time, and those people will be allowed to touch them and they may even choose to hang out near you or sleep on your bed at night. They are a great choice for people with a quiet household, who want to make a difference for an individual cat. Patience and understanding are the best tools when welcoming a spirit cat into your home. It’s important to know that spirit cats won’t magically turn into a normal acting cat – what you see is what you get for a long time, maybe always.
They are a fine choice for situations where you don’t have a lot of time to devote to a pet as they don’t require a lot of attention from humans. They are not a good choice for a busy home, including those with small children.
Meet Sweet Pea, our sensitive and special cat in need of a patient and understanding adopter! Transitioning to a new home can be overwhelming for her so she’s searching for someone willing to give her all the time she needs to settle in comfortably. Sweet Pea’s success hinges on adopters who can read and understand her body language, as meeting new people can be quite daunting for her.
She may find solace in a small bubble once she settles in with you. Think of her as a “pet themselves on you” kind of cat; she should always initiate interactions, and a “petting consent test” could be helpful in ensuring she’s comfortable and in control of the situation. If you’re ready to provide a loving and understanding forever home to this special kitty, come meet Sweet Pea today and embark on a journey of mutual trust and companionship.
This group of parakeets are social, playful and colorful birds, that are looking for their next home! Parakeets are flock birds, so this friend needs to be adopted in a pair, group or go home to another parakeet!
If you think you are a good fit and would like to learn more, stop by our Boston Adoption Center. We have open adoption hours Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-3pm – no appointment needed.
*Before coming to the adoption center, we ask that you have a housing unit ready, in case you end up finding an animal you’d like to adopt.
If you haven’t picked out an enclosure yet, we’d love to help! The Association of Avian Veterinarians has a chart on the minimum cage dimensions that are acceptable for housing the birds we commonly see in our adoption center. As a rule of thumb, get the largest cage you can provide—the bigger the better!
A few important recommendations
SIZE: Wire or mesh cages are preferred that are at least 1.5 to 2 times the wingspan of the bird in all directions. When a bird spreads both wings out, there should be enough room so the wings and tail are not touching any cage bars including top or bottom. The bird should be able to easily spin around on a perch without the tail hitting any cage bars including top/bottom of the cage. The cage should be big enough that the bird can fly with ease from the bottom of the cage to the top without the wings touching any cage bars or any other obstacles (like toys).
BAR SPACING: Make sure the spacing of the bars is small enough that your bird cannot escape! Select a finger or fingers that appear to be the same thickness as the bird’s wing. When checking bar spacing, if your finger or fingers (thickness) fits between the cage bar spacing, then the cage bar spacing is not proper for that bird (a bird could get harmed).
We suggest covering wire mesh platforms or bottoms with a layer of newspaper or other solid surface as exposed wire can cause abrasions to feet, as well as possibly catch and break toes and tails
Companion Birds should receive at least a half hour to an hour of interaction time with their human family; such as training, playing, and/or socially interacting.
For more wonderful information and resources please visit www.heartoffeathers.com
For more information on our adoption process, please visit https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/how-to-adopt/
Meet Hank! Hank is a beautiful Lorikeet who is ready to fly off to their new home. They have a history of overplucking and so a relationship with an exotics vet will be a plus!
Lorikeets can be highly social (even attention seeking!) and have beautiful colors. Lorikeets originate from the southeast Asia archipelago or parts of Australia and tend to live in large groups. They can live up to 30 years with proper nutrition and care. They are nectivores and eat nectar, pollen, fruits and veggies.
Lorikeets can be very active, requiring lots of enrichment opportunities and can be wonderful training companions. They love to play with toys and will play with just about anything! Because Lorikeets cannot talk, they can be quieter than other parrot species. Hank does still love to make himself known though!
We recommend a cage that is at least 32”x23” (Width x depth) with a maximum of 5/8-3/4” bar spacing. Cages should include lots of perches, trays for food/water and lots of toys for enrichment. Lorikeets love to bathe and ideally will have the ability to bathe multiple times a day.
The needs of each bird are unique and if you have questions about the right type of enclosure for the bird you are interested in, please feel free to give us a call! We are happy to provide guidance and advice.
*Please be sure your town regulations allow for roosters on your property before you inquire about adoption!*
Roosters for hire! We have so many good boys hanging out in our bachelor pad waiting for a flock of ladies of their very own. Our roosters are respectful of people and social with other birds – they are ready to do their job of protecting your hens! We have a wide variety of sizes, breeds, and temperaments. Roosters are full of personality and make great additions to any hobby flock!
Winter is our low-riding, beefy pittie girl. This pretty pittie walks well
on a leash and has a good history living with children. She loves kids yet
she can get nervous meeting new adults, especially men. In her previous
life, Winter was not exposed to much outside of her home so the world can
be big and scary. Her new adopters will need to give her the time and
space to settle in and find her brave. Winter could live with a calm dog
friend. In fact, Winter is sometimes a little less scared when she has a
dog buddy by her side. And she says a big no thank you to living with
cats. Finally, Winter is house trained, although she might need a quick
refresher after living at the shelter. Do you want to meet Winter? Visit
the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen Tuesday-Sunday 12PM-4:30PM.
Bon bon is a friendly young rabbit looking for his next home! He enjoys snacking on veggies, and can be tolerant for handling.
We recommend providing a safe indoor enclosure that allows a rabbit to stretch their legs and move around. The needs of each rabbit are unique and if you have questions about the right type of enclosure for the rabbit you are interested in, please let us know in your inquiry! We are happy to provide guidance and advice
* If you think you are a good fit and would like to learn more, please click on the blue Inquire link above and fill out the form, or submit an inquiry at mspca.org/nevinsadopt. If you just want to browse in person feel free to stop by during our open hours.
* If you are not ready to adopt, but are in a position to donate, please visit www.mspca.org/nevinsgift .
Dory is a sweet and snuggly little pup who is looking for a family of her own. She can be a little nervous in new situations, but she is super sweet and loves people. She has been very cute and playful with other dogs and might do well with a gentle friend to show her the ropes. Dory has been through a lot of transitions in a short amount of time and will need her family to help her learn about the world in a safe and fun way!
If you think this dog could be a good match for your home and would like to learn more, stop by our Boston Adoption Center. We have open adoption hours Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-3pm – no appointment needed to speak to a staff person regarding available dogs.
Preparing your home for your new dog or puppy ahead of time can help ease the transition for your new pet and set you both up for success should there be a dog that’s a good match! To learn more about how to make the first few weeks with your new dog or puppy the most successful it can be, please visit www.mspca.org/petresources.
For more information on our adoption process, please visit https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/how-to-adopt/
Please note, in an effort to keep the stress levels reduced for the dogs in our care, our dog kennel areas will not be open to walk through. Interested adopters will work with a matchmaker on staff to determine which dog(s) they’re interested in – and if we can identify a match, potential adopters will be able to meet those dogs outside of the kennel. Cat and small animal areas will remain open to walk through.
Meet Jewel! This shy girl is looking for a patient adopter who is able to efficiently read cat body language. She may need some extra time and patience to adjust to his new surroundings. Slow introductions and a predictable routine will help him feel safe and secure. She may benefit from a quiet room to retreat to when he feels overwhelmed. She has gone through a lot of transissions in a short period of time and would love to find her forever home. Come meet Jewel today.
Edna Mode is just as iconic as you remember–except now she’s an incredible guinea pig! Eddie will start off shy as most guinea pigs do, but once she’s comfortable, she won’t hesitate to show off her spunky personality. Due to her larger than life personality and diva-licious attitude, Edna is not looking for a cagemate, but may enjoy a nextdoor neighbor pig or two! Eddie loves to snuggle with her people and is excited to be a WFH desk buddy or Netflix pal. When she’s not snoozing under her favorite hand towel, Eddie can be found wheeking up a storm and popcorning around her enclosure. Edna is available from foster and is NOT in the shelter, so if you’d like to see about making her a part of your family, email sgoldman@mspca.org or come into the shelter to speak to staff to learn more.
If you think you are a good fit and would like to learn more, stop by our Boston Adoption Center. We have open adoption hours Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-3pm – no appointment needed.
*Before coming to the adoption center, we ask that you have a housing unit ready, in case you end up finding an animal you’d like to adopt. Guinea pigs need a minimum 6.5 sqft wire cage (30”x36”) for 1-2 guinea pigs but preferably 10.5 sqft (30”x50”) for 2 guinea pigs and a minimum 8 sqft for 3 guinea pigs but preferably 13 sqft (30”x62”). Cages must have a solid bottom and more room is always encouraged!
For more information on our adoption process, please visit https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/how-to-adopt/
Meet Zeus! A perpetual, fast-moving wiggle butt, watch his enthusiam adorably take over when he says “hello”! He’s a high energy guy and he’s got the muscles to prove it, but in addition to exercise, he will also need some help learning how to settle – he may not be the “Netflix and chill” type at home to begin with. Zeus has previously lived with a cat, but due to his size and strength introductions should be slow.
If you think this dog could be a good match for your home and would like to learn more, stop by our Boston Adoption Center. We have open adoption hours Tuesday-Sunday from 12pm-3pm – no appointment needed to speak to a staff person regarding available dogs.
Preparing your home for your new dog or puppy ahead of time can help ease the transition for your new pet and set you both up for success should there be a dog that’s a good match! To learn more about how to make the first few weeks with your new dog or puppy the most successful it can be, please visit www.mspca.org/petresources.
For more information on our adoption process, please visit https://www.mspca.org/adoption-centers/how-to-adopt/
Please note, in an effort to keep the stress levels reduced for the dogs in our care, our dog kennel areas will not be open to walk through. Interested adopters will work with a matchmaker on staff to determine which dog(s) they’re interested in – and if we can identify a match, potential adopters will be able to meet those dogs outside of the kennel. Cat and small animal areas will remain open to walk through.
We’d like to introduce a very special cat named Dad Kat. He is a 4 year old, and has a progressive case of FeLV – or Feline Leukemia Virus – which will shorten his lifespan, and we are hoping to find him a loving indoor-only home where he can live out his life. Despite his diagnosis, he can be social and affectionate with those he knows, once he is comfortable in his new space. Dad Kat would need to be the only cat in the household, or have feline friends that also have FeLV. Interested adopters should click the inquire button below to learn more and shelter staff will provide additional counseling on FeLV and answer any questions at the time of adoption.
More info on FeLV can be found here: https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4951934
Chihuahua - Smooth Coated / Jack (Parson) Russell Terrier
Cape Cod
Male
3 Years
We’re Rico and Tito, a dynamic duo of chihuahua mix brothers on the hunt for our new home! Life’s been a bit sheltered for us so far, but that just means we’re experts in the art of cuddling and cuteness.
We’ll admit, we’re a tad shy at first, but give us some time and patience, and we’ll shower you with more love and affection than you can handle.
We’re looking for a calm home with no young kids running around – we prefer our quiet time for naps and cozy cuddles. And while we’d love to stick together like peanut butter and jelly, we understand if you can only handle one dollop of chihuahua love at a time.
So, if you’re ready to add a sprinkle of spice and everything nice to your life, swing by and speak to adoption staff about us, Rico and Tito! We promise to fill your days with endless tail wags and adorable antics.
Chihuahua - Smooth Coated / Jack (Parson) Russell Terrier
Cape Cod
Male
3 Years
Rico
Chihuahua - Smooth Coated / Jack (Parson) Russell Terrier
Cape Cod
Male
3 Years
Cocoa
Guinea Pig
Nevins Farm
Female
3 Years
Meet Cocoa- this sweet pig is looking for her forever home. She currently lives with her sister Cinnamon and enjoys her company. She can be found snuggling with her sister, or sharing a meal with her- as she loves her veggies!
Guinea pigs can make wonderful pets! They are very social creatures which means that they generally need at least one companion! Of course guinea pigs should only be kept with other piggies of the same sex. A pair of guinea pigs needs at minimum 10.5 sq. feet of cage space, or roughly 30″ x 50″ with a solid bottom, but more room is always encouraged! Guinea pigs can be quite noisy which can be lovely as long as you are expecting it!
* If you think you are a good fit and would like to learn more, please click on the blue Inquire link above and fill out the form, or submit an inquiry at mspca.org/nevinsadopt. If you just want to browse in person feel free to stop by during our open hours.
* Can’t adopt right now, but want to help animals? If you are in a position to give, please consider making a gift of any size to help us provide essential services to animals in need, at www.mspca.org/nevinsgift.
*Please be sure your town regulations allow for guinea fowl on your property before you inquire about adoption!*
Worried about ticks and flies around your barn this summer? Our guinea fowl can help! We have several male guinea fowl available for adoption and they are experts at eating up any and all insects around your property. They are a bit shy and skittish around people, but get along with each other very nicely and have easily coexisted within a mixed flock of roosters and hens. They have stunning feathers and a very distinct voice when they get all riled up. They are a super entreating bunch who love to zoom around in their outdoor enclosure and perch up high in the sunshine.