If you’re looking for the best dog shelters in Massachusetts, we’re here to help. Below we’ve featured 10 top dog shelters across the state.
1. MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center (Boston)
MSPCA Animal Care has three adoption centers across Massachusetts – one each in Boston, Cape Cod, and Nevins Farm. This non-profit organization is dedicated to caring for animals in need and doing everything they can to find loving new homes for them. The group also provides educational programs promoting responsible pet ownership, including summer camps for kids.
As well as offering animal adoptions, MSPCA Animal Care also provides affordable spay/neuter services in an effort to reduce pet overpopulation. If you think you’re ready for a four-legged friend, view their adoptable dogs here. The organization receives no government funding – consider making a donation here.
2. Quincy Animal Shelter (Quincy)
The team at Quincy Animal Shelter (in Quincy, MA) is committed to providing animals with care and shelter until a suitable home can be found for each pet. They also promote spay/neuter programs to control pet populations throughout the community and provide a great range of resources relating to animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
Adoption fees for dogs are $450+ for puppies under 2 years, $350+ for dogs 2-7 years, and $250+ for dogs over 8. All dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, treated for heartworm, fleas, and ticks, microchipped, dewormed, and examined by a veterinarian prior to being listed for adoption. View available dogs here, or donate to the Quincy Animal Shelter using the top right button on this page.
3. Sterling Animal Shelter (Sterling)
Based in Sterling, MA, the Sterling Animal Shelter is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1988 and incorporated in 1996. The shelter is dedicated to being a no-kill establishment, where no time limits or age restrictions are placed on the animals being cared for. The shelter brings in stray, abused, neglected, or unwanted animals and provides housing and quality medical care until each pet can be adopted.
As well as a shelter, there’s also an on-site veterinary clinic that provides care for almost 3,000 animals annually. The clinic provides low/no cost spay/neuter services, general pet care services, and also assists other animal shelters and rescue groups. Adoptable pets can be viewed here, or you can visit this page to donate to the Sterling Animal Shelter.
4. Second Chance Animal Services (Brookfield)
Second Chance Animal Services is a non-profit organization that first opened their doors in 1999. This organization is committed to providing services for animals throughout the community, through their adoption center and numerous community veterinary hospitals. Every year, Second Chance Animal Services helps over 40,000 pets.
Based in Brookfield, MA, Second Chance Animal Services offers affordable veterinary care, spay/neuter surgeries, community outreach to promote responsible pet ownership, and a pet food pantry. They also shelter and adopt animals that have been brought in as strays or surrendered by their owners – you can view their adoptable dogs here. The organization receives no government funding – consider making a donation here.
5. Boston Animal Care and Control Center (Boston)
The Boston Animal Care and Control Center is a program run by the city of Boston to enforce ordinances and laws relating to pet ownership. Their animal shelter (based in Roslindale) is staffed by a professional veterinarian. If you’re interested in adopting, you can view their available pets here.
6. Dakin Humane Society (Springfield)
The Dakin Humane Society is a non-profit animal welfare organization based in Dakin, MA, founded in 1969. This group works tirelessly to provide shelter, medical support, and behavioral rehabilitation for over 20,000 animals annually and is supported by a huge network of almost 600 volunteers.
To adopt a dog from Dakin Humane Society, you must be 18 years of age. Start by viewing their available dogs here, and if any catch your eye you can complete an application. If you are selected, you can meet the dog first to ensure a good fit for everyone. If you’re not ready to adopt but would still like to contribute, you can donate to Dakin Humane Society here.
7. Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center (Springfield)
Based in Springfield, MA, the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center provides animal control services for Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke. The adoption center shelters homeless animals that are ready to be adopted into loving new families.
All dogs that are listed for adoption have received age-appropriate vaccinations, are spayed/neutered, and have been microchipped. Adoption fees are $300 for puppies under 12 months or $250 for dogs over 12 months. View their adoptable dogs here, or donate to the Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center here.
8. Buddy Dog Humane Society (Sudbury)
The Buddy Dog Humane Society in Sudbury, MA, is committed to providing homeless and surrendered dogs with a second chance at life. Their shelter houses stray, abandoned, and abused pets which are cared for until they can be adopted into new homes.
Before being listed for adoption, each dog receives a health examination, heartworm test and treatment, vaccinations, flea treatment, tick treatment, and spay/neuter surgery. Adoption fees are $450 for dogs, and $400 for puppies. Adoptable dogs can be viewed here – if any catch your eye, fill in an application online. You can also donate to Buddy Dog Humane Society here.
9. Lowell Humane Society (Lowell)
The Lowell Humane Society was founded many moons ago in 1873! This organization is one of the oldest in Massachusetts and is committed to preventing animal cruelty and providing care for homeless animals throughout Lowell and beyond. As well as adoptions, the society facilitates a lost and found service for pets who have run away.
When it comes to pet adoptions, the Lowell Humane Society ensures that each pet is placed in a home that meets their needs. Available pets can be viewed here – all dogs are vaccinated, tested for heartworm, treated for fleas, spayed/neutered, microchipped, and registered. Adoption fees for dogs are $250, and $300 for puppies under six months of age. You can also donate to the Lowell Humane Society here.
10. Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts (Brockton)
The Animal Protection Center of Southeastern Massachusetts is a community animal shelter based in Brockton, MA. This organization serves the counties of Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth, and provides community education regarding responsible pet ownership, as well as shelter for neglected or homeless pets.
During 2019, over 700 animals were successfully adopted into new homes. If you would like to add to these numbers, view the pets available for adoption here. Dogs under five months are $600, those aged six months and over range from $350 to $550. This cost includes vaccinations, heartworm testing, spay/neuter surgery, microchipping, and more. You can also donate to the Animal Protection Center of Southern Massachusetts here.
“Emily is an avid writer and dog lover who usually prefers the company of pets over people. Based in Los Angeles, when not stuck in traffic she spends her days reading in the sunshine, relaxing at the beach, or planning her next adventure.”
