Canine Supernova
The Advocate newsroom’s weekly staff meeting usually takes at least ten minutes longer than it should, because we always stop to read the Dakin Humane Society’s new shelter listings. We’re not certain that these dogs, bunnies, cats, and occasional rats write their own bios, but we like to think so. As the tired old saying goes: we wish we could adopt them all.
Certainly, many local readers adopt a shelter pet from time to time. But most don’t. National statistics are difficult to nail down, since animal care and control agencies are not uniformly required to keep statistics on the number of animals taken in, adopted, euthanized, or reclaimed. Some new initiatives, like the Shelter Animals Count online database project, are attempting to create a national reporting structure, but in the meantime, between six and eight million cats and dogs enter shelters each year, according to the Humane Society, and about three million are euthanized. Out of those, roughly 2.4 million (or 80 percent) are healthy, treatable, safe, and could have been adopted.
There’s no better time than this week to learn more about shelter adoption. A little bubbly never hurts, either. This Sunday, Dakin partners with Quonquont Farm in Whately for a dog-friendly mimosa brunch, silent auction, raffle, farm stand, apple picking, as well as activities for guests and their best buddies. It’s never been easier to get informed — and, of course, to play with some cute pups.
Mutts and Mimosas with Dakin Humane Society: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. $50 for admission, brunch, and mimosa bar; $10 additional for a chef-prepared meal for your dog. Quonquont Farm, 9 North St., Whately. (413) 781-4000, dakinhumane.org.
— Hunter Styles, hstyles@valleyadvocate.com
