August: A Month of 368 New Beginnings

Another pet finds a great new beginning.

Each August Dakin participates in the national Clear the Shelters promotion, typically by reducing adoption fees for several days towards the end of the month. That was the plan for this year as well; designating August 25-29 as Clear the Shelter days.

But then August began—and we couldn’t wait that long.

Dakin’s adoption discount events are often planned quickly, sparked by a sudden increase in the number of animals in our care. They typically only last a few days, with plenty of promotion to help connect as many pets as possible with their new families.

By the beginning of August, however, it was clear that waiting until the 25th simply wasn’t an option. We had too many pets who needed to find homes quickly, and we knew that many more animals would likely be coming through our doors as the busy summer season continued.

So the decision was made: beginning August 3, adoption fees would be discounted by 50%.

And just like that, August was underway.

August 3-9

During that first week, 82 pets found new families. Among them was Flynnious, a handsome three-year-old black-and-white cat who had been found abandoned in an apartment building and brought to Dakin for rehoming.

While in our care, we discovered that Flynnious was partially blind in one eye—but it didn’t slow him down one bit. A people-loving cat with a sweet personality, he quickly won hearts at the shelter. Staff members cheered when he left for his new home on August 7.

Flynnious

August 10-16

The momentum continued. From August 10-16, 70 more pets were chosen for new homes.

One pet who stood out—literally—was Diesel, a six-year-old Mastiff/Cane Corso mix. Diesel came to Dakin after his person lost their housing. At 135 pounds, he was certainly a large presence, but this big dog had an especially tender heart.

Diesel

Diesel was friendly with people and other dogs, loved to cuddle, and was an easy walking partner. We were thrilled to see this gentle giant begin his next chapter on August 11.

August 17-23

By the third week of August, the 50% adoption-fee discount was still going strong. Then, on August 21 and 22, we joined the MSPCA-Angell and several other of our Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition partners in an additional promotion: adoption fees were waived for dogs ages one year and older.

Honey

Among the dogs who found a new family that weekend was Honey, a sweet-natured five-year-old pit bull terrier. Honey adored people, especially when they were offering cuddles and hugs, and she loved stretching out in the sunshine. On August 21, Honey got exactly what she had been waiting for: a family of her own. That week, 85 pets went home.

August 24-31

Then came the nationally designated Clear the Shelters promotion, August 25-29. But at Dakin, the need was still there—and so was the opportunity to help. Rather than ending the discount when Clear the Shelters ended, we kept adoption fees at 50% off through the end of August.

The response was heartening. During the final week, 97 pets found their new families, including Desmond, a one-year-old dwarf hamster.

Desmond

Desmond had been transferred to Dakin from the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in late May. About a week later, he moved into a Dakin foster home, where he became a perfect little guest for the next three months. He even met his foster caregiver’s dog one evening. (“Desmond was very curious and didn’t seem overly bothered by a large nose sniffing him,” his foster caregiver wrote.)

And then, on August 29, Desmond’s foster caregiver made the happy decision to make him a permanent member of the family.

368 Reasons to Celebrate

By the end of August, our staff and volunteers were pleased with the results—and more than a little tired after a month of working hard to help so many animals find their way home.

Summer is always Dakin’s busiest season. This year, the need was especially clear, and the response from the community was remarkable. In addition to the pets adopted during the discounted-fee weeks, additional animals found homes at the beginning of August, bringing the month’s total to 368 adoptions.

That’s 368 pets beginning new chapters. 368 animals leaving the shelter behind. 368 families gaining a new companion to love.

Discounting adoption fees can help make adoption more accessible, but the goal is always much bigger than the price of an adoption. It’s about creating connections—between an animal who needs a home and a person or family who has room in their heart for one more.

A nearly month-long reduction in adoption fees put a spotlight on something shelters see every day: the price of adoption may be discounted, but the love, companionship, and joy that come with bringing an animal home are priceless.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped guide so many pets home during this extraordinary month—our adopters, foster caregivers, volunteers, supporters, and staff. Every one of you played a part in making August a month filled with new beginnings.

And for 368 pets, those new beginnings couldn’t have come at a better time.

Below are some photos from our August adoption events, courtesy of Dot Barnard.