MSPCA calls for adopters after taking in 60 boxers from Essex County property

The MSPCA is issuing a call for adopters after taking in 60 boxers that were surrendered from an Essex County property on Tuesday.

The dogs range in age from newborn puppies to seniors, but will not be available for adoption until they undergo medical and behavioral evaluations, according to the MSPCA. That process that could take weeks for some of the animals.

Mike Keiley, vice president of animal protection for MSPCA-Angell, said in a statement that some of the dogs are thin and have acute medical needs, like dental work, that must be addressed. 

“We’re still doing initial evaluations, so we aren’t yet sure what kind of care these dogs will need before they’re ready to find new homes,” Keiley said. “But we know the property they came from allegedly had unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.”

The case involving the surrendered dogs is being investigated by Merrimac, Haverhill, and Windham, N.H. police, the MSPCA said.

Keiley said even with the time it will take for medical evaluations, the agency needs “help now.”

“This is the largest local surrender we’ve had in close to a decade,” he said. “Thankfully, we adopted out many dogs during our adoptathon last week, but given the immense size of this surrender, we’re already back at capacity.”

Some of the dogs could be available for adoption as soon as June 17, according to the MSPCA. The pups will be added to the MSPCA’s website as they become available for adoption out of the shelters in Boston, Methuen, and Salem.

What the MPSCA really needs, Keiley said in a statement, is for adopters to step forward and give the dogs already in their care a new home and help make space for the new arrivals. The MSPCA is also looking for people to foster some of the boxers.

“It’s critical that we make space in the shelters so that we can continue to be there for people in the community who need to surrender, but right now that will be extremely challenging,” he said.

Community members who want to help can also do so by donating to the MSPCA to help offset the cost of caring for the animals, the animal welfare organization said.