Dakin Humane Society: Celebrating animals and humans
Written by Seth Stutman
Photos by Dakin Humane Society
Sponsored by East Village Place
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors (July 2022)
The Pioneer Valley is home to more than 500 nonprofits working to improve the 413 - and each has its own, rich story to tell. One of the largest and most adorable nonprofits can be found just one town over, in Springfield, and has transformed, over decades, into a national leader for animal welfare that is meeting the needs of a changing community. Dakin Humane Society serves more than 20,000 pets every year, from providing shelter, to medical services, and behavioral rehabilitation - but to thrive, and to keep serving animals and their humans, they need your help - and your time!
“Dakin is here to help keep pets with their people,” says Stacey Price, Dakin’s Director of Development and Marketing. “Every day we interact with people and see firsthand the love and concern they have for their animals, and their desire to see their pet be happy and healthy. If they are struggling to provide those resources for their pets, we’re here to help them get what they need to keep these pets that they love with all their heart. That’s what any community wants, and we’re proud to serve ours in this way.”
To many, Dakin is a place where you can adopt a pet, but finding ‘fur’ever homes for pets is just a small part of what makes Dakin stand out. The Community Spay/Neuter Clinic is New England’s largest provider and has logged more than 100,000 low-cost procedures for patients. Their Pet Food Aid Program traditionally shares more than 25,000 pounds of food annually, but in 2020 (as a pandemic was raging) they donated 138,000 pounds of food that helped to sustain thousands of animals in the Pioneer Valley. Additionally, beyond fundraising programming, Dakin plans scores of programming that aims to educate pet owners, and keep pets in homes.
“We recognize that helping our fellow humans in need with tools and resources is the best way to help save animals,” said Price. “Replacing judgment and blame with compassion, understanding, and solutions keeps people and pets together and strengthens a community built on trust and a mutual concern for animals.
Animal shelters have a surprisingly short history in the Pioneer Valley, beginning in 1969, when the Greenfield Animal Center first opened its doors. In 1982, Friends of Amherst’s Stray Animals was founded by Janet Wilder Dakin, interestingly enough, the sister of famed author Thornton Wilder.
In the 1990’s the Friends of Amherst Stray Animals moved to their current facility in Leverett, becoming Dakin Animal Shelter. In 2006, Pioneer Valley Humane Society and Dakin merged, and in 2009, the new nonprofit powerhouse expanded its footprint by moving into the vacated MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption facility on Union Street in Springfield - where it still operates today.
In the past 20 years, Dakin began transporting dogs from more populated shelters in the south to New England, and the Community Spay/Neuter Clinic - and they aren’t done evolving yet.
“More than 325,000 pets live in the Pioneer Valley,” said Price. “Of them, more than 43,000 live below the poverty line. If we want to improve their quality of life, we must offer services that support the human/ animal bond that keeps pets and people together.”
Stacey Price became involved at Dakin over five years ago. “I have always had a deep love of animals and wanted to be a part of a movement and a cause that helps them and their people,” she says. “Animals give us so much in life - comfort, companionship, love, understanding ...it should be something everyone gets to experience despite socioeconomic status.”
Price is honored to work in animal welfare - there are so many stories of success, and the joy in the faces of dogs (and humans) is so satisfying to see. “The reward is in the work and within the stories that the people we serve share with us,” she says. “It’s something I am deeply proud of - being part of an organization with such longevity and ability to impact so many lives over the years.”
Dakin has a number of ways that you can both make a meaningful impact in your community - while having a blast with your fellow community members!
Barks & Brews – Sunday, September 18 - where pets and their pals can enjoy some brews, banter, and a bunch of pet-themed activities and items.
Whisker Wonderland – Saturday, November 12 - why should dogs have all of the fun? Don’t miss meowing around with fellow cat lovers, and vendors at Cedars Banquet Facility in Springfield.
Financial donations, while always accepted, are not the only way to change the lives of pets and their owners. “The best way for people of any community to connect with Dakin’s programs or services is to volunteer. There is a wide range of talents and skill sets that can be put to good use to help the animals both in Dakin’s care and in our community,” said Price. “In addition to the opportunities that involve hands-on animal care like fostering, enrichment, or working with the Kitten Street Team, there are many other ways people can contribute their time and talents. We work with volunteers to produce events, run our thrift shop, help foster animals, or assist with our data record-keeping, for example. The commitment level is flexible.”
Making a difference in your community might seem like a tall task, but an hour or two at Dakin might raise your spirits - and you’ll be evolving your community into a more just, enjoyable world for others. “Your support - whether you choose to help by volunteering, making a gift, organizing supply drives, or sharing social media posts - helps touch every animal that we care for,” says Price. “By joining us and other animal lovers we can keep pets and people where they belong…together.”
