Dakin Lowers Adoption Fees to Make Space for Dogs from Hurricane-ravaged Shelter

SPRINGFIELD — Dakin Humane Society is reducing adoption fees by 50% for all available pets beginning Friday, Oct. 4, according to Executive Director Meg Talbert. The shelter is eager to free up cage and kennel space to make room for animals it will be receiving on Oct. 10 from the Aiken County Animal Shelter in South Carolina, which has been hit hard by Hurricane Helene.

Dakin is also appealing to the public to assist the Aiken County Animal Shelter by bringing donations of cat and dog food, both dry and canned, in unopened containers, as well as dog toys, to Dakin before Oct. 9. All food and toys collected will be placed in the transport vehicle and brought back to the South Carolina shelter, which is currently without electricity.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the donation drive can bring their items to Dakin at 171 Union St. in Springfield. There will be a gray bin marked “hurricane donations” outside the front door from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day through Oct. 9.

“Aiken is a wonderful transport partner for Dakin,” Talbert said. “We regularly receive dog transports from them, and next week, we are taking a larger-than-usual group, 12 dogs, to help out in their time of great need.

“Here at Dakin, in order to have space to welcome these pups, we need to encourage adoption of the pets in our own shelter,” she added, “so we are offering a 50% discount on adoption fees for our dogs, cats, and small animals to help free up space and staff and volunteer time to care for these new arrivals.”

All animals currently available for adoption at Dakin are listed on its website (click here), but it is a small percentage of the total animals in Dakin’s care, which currently exceeds 300.

Dakin is open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12:30 to 3 p.m. In-person visits are the quickest way to adopt a pet, as the organization recently discontinued its online adoption application process. People with questions about a particular animal can email springfield@dakinhumane.org. They may also leave a voicemail at (413) 781-4000, ext. 1, but due to a high volume of calls and animals in care, response time may be longer.

The adoption fee for cats or dogs at Dakin includes spay/neuter surgery, veterinary examination, all age-appropriate vaccinations, microchip and registration, and deworming treatment. Additionally, cats receive tests for feline leukemia and FIV, while dogs receive flea and tick treatment and a heartworm test and prevention. Adopters of all pets from Dakin have access to behavioral support from staff members.