The Official Blog of Dakin Humane Society

On Sunday, September 19, 2021, we're getting back together to throw our 6th annual dog party, Barks & Brews, at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton!

This month marks Carmine DiCenso's fifth year as Dakin Humane Society's Executive Director.

What's a Trichobezoar? Has my pet ever had Ptyalism? Check out this list of strange veterinary terms that just make sense.

Pablo’s happy ending is one of many. And, thanks to your ongoing support, won’t be the last.

Marie cares for a colony of feral cats in her neighborhood. She knows each one individually and loves them all. When she realized that her colony was expanding beyond what she could care for, she reached out to the Kitten Street Team for help.

Despite the large number of animals we were caring for at Dakin, when we heard of an emergency at a shelter in Texas, we knew we needed to help.

Join us in a celebration of pets and people.

The answer to a pet's severe behavior problem isn't always a new home.

When Lasagna arrived at Dakin, he had no idea that he was about to embark on the training adventure of a lifetime.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 20 million families in the United States adopted a pet. As people return to work in person, word began to spread that adopted animals were being brought back to shelters.

Lucy's story is one of so many, as more than 60% of the animals that come to Dakin need extraordinary care and resources provided by the P.A.W.S. Program.

The deep connection with pets transcends socio-economic, racial, and geographic boundaries, and no one should be denied the benefits, joy, and sense of well-being that come with the human/animal bond - a philosophy that Dakin wholeheartedly supports.

Dakin's Kitten Street Team is working to keep feral cats safe and protected from unwanted litters and diseases like Rabies and Distemper. One volunteer recalls a special cat who needed help, but not in the way the TNR team expected.

Few things hit harder than the loss of a pet. Many people have said their pet passing away was more painful than losing a parent, sibling, or friend. Why is that? And if we feel that way, does that mean something’s wrong with us?  Absolutely not.

For years, animal lovers have received mixed messages about animal shelters and breeders, leading to confusion about what to do. The answer isn’t black and white.

10 years ago, a powerful tornado carved a 39-mile path through Downtown Springfield and surrounding communities. We're looking back on Dakin's role as a safe space for pets and people during an unexpected crisis.

Read how organizations work together to help animals.

Show your support for local restaurants and local companion animals!

Keep your pets safe from flea and tick-borne illnesses this summer with regular check-ups and preventative care.

It’s natural for pet lovers to want to help an animal in need. Many people believe that if they see a cat outside who maybe even visits for meals every day, they need help. Usually, they don’t!