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finding a new home for your animal

Some people do best finding a new home for their animals on their own.  Some animals—especially shy or nervous animals—will do better being placed privately rather than entering what can be an overwhelming adoption center environment.  Here’s some help to get you started:

Finding a new home for your animal through a Dakin adoption center.

Call 413-781-4000 (Springfield) or 413-548-9898 (Leverett).  We will listen, provide you with tips and options, and, if relinquishment of your animal to our adoption center sounds like the best option, we will schedule an admission appointment.

Why do I need to have an appointment to bring an animal to Dakin?

Dakin needs your help to save animals’ lives.  Planning for the arrival of animals through an appointment system helps us manage the limited amount of space we have available in our adoption centers and reduces the number of animals we will have to euthanize due to overpopulation.

What if I have found a stray dog?

If you have found a stray dog, please call your local animal control officer.  In Springfield and many surrounding communities, the animal control agency is the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.  Dakin will only accept stray dogs after they have stayed their required 10 days with an animal control officer.  This helps stray dogs find their original families more easily.

How should I prepare for bringing my animal to Dakin? 

1. Call for an appointment 413-781-4000 (Springfield) or 413-548-9898 (Leverett)
2. Print and complete the appropriate questionnaire:

We want your animal to make the best first impression he can.  To help him attract the attention of a new adoptive family, we suggest that you groom your animal before bringing him to us. 

The cats and dogs most likely to find a new home are at least 8 weeks old and friendly and outgoing when meeting new people.

Dakin does not place any time limit on an animal’s stay.  A dog, cat, or other small animal may remain available for adoption until a new home is found—even if it takes days, weeks, or months.  During the spring and summer months, however, our cat and kitten population may lead to too many cats in the adoption centers.  At that time, we may make the difficult decision to put to sleep the less social or less healthy cats in order to make room for new cats. 

What will happen when I bring an animal to Dakin?

After speaking with you, examining your animal, and evaluating your animal’s temperament, we may be able to assist you by matching the animal’s personality with a qualified responsible new home.

Because Dakin depends solely on the generosity of our community to continue to provide care for animals in need, we request that each person who leaves an animal in our care leave a donation.  Our recommended donations vary by the type of animal, but range between $50 and $200.  Our staff will help you understand the appropriate donation level for the animal you are bringing.

The 4 Steps to Relinquishing an Animal to Dakin are:

1. Call one of our adoption centers for an appointment.

2. Thoughtfully complete the appropriate questionnaire.

3. Bring your pet with you to the appointment, along with recent veterinary records.

4. Be prepared to make a donation to Dakin to help us care for your animal.

Animals who will not be considered for adoption:

1. Animals with a history of biting people or attacking other animals.

2. Animals who exhibit aggressive or unsocial behavior.

3. Animals who are determined to be physically or behaviorally unsuitable for adoption, including extremely fearful animals and cats with unresolved house soiling behaviors.

Please phone us before bringing these animals to the adoption center.  Our behavior staff may be able to help you improve your animal’s behavior so that you are able to keep him. We can discuss all the options available to you, including euthanasia.

What if my animal’s status changes during his stay at Dakin?

Changes in your animal’s status could come from further observation of his physical or emotional condition during his stay with us.  If we determine that the animal is no longer a candidate for our adoption program due to his deteriorating physical or emotional condition, we will euthanize him. 

At the time you relinquish ownership of the animal to Dakin, you will be given the option to reclaim him should we determine that his only available option is to be euthanized.  You will have 24 hours from the time of our phone call or message to reclaim the animal from our care. 

No animal will be released from the care of Dakin without being spayed or neutered first.  You must pay for this service at our spay/neuter clinic if it becomes necessary, prior to our releasing the animal back into your care.

What if I change my mind and want my animal back? 

Please call Dakin at 413-781-4000 (Springfield) or 413-548-9898 (Leverett) to discuss options that may be available to reclaim your animal. Note, however, that no animal will be released from the care of Dakin without being spayed or neutered first.  You must pay for this service at our spay/neuter clinic if it becomes necessary, prior to our releasing the animal back into your care.

A Word about the Rights of People with Disabilities to Keep Service Animals

If you have a disability and require the assistance of a service animal, you have the right to keep that animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), even in rental housing, motel rooms, or other accommodations that might not otherwise allow pets.  It is against the law for the owner of rental property or a motel to charge a pet fee or pet deposit for any service animal.

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