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Salem Today
By the People, for the People
MSPCA-Angell Holds Historic All-Pet, Fee-Free Valentine's Adoption Event
Shelter animals who have been waiting over 30 days will have adoption fees waived from February 13-15.
Published on Feb. 11, 2026
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The MSPCA-Angell is hosting a special Valentine's Day adoption event where all pets who have been at their shelters for more than 30 days will have their adoption fees waived. This marks the first time in the organization's 150-year history that they have suspended fees for all species in a single event, as they have seen an influx of animals from various sources recently.
Why it matters
The shelter environment can be stressful for many animals, and the longer they remain there, the more their well-being can suffer. By waiving fees, the MSPCA-Angell hopes to find loving homes for these extended-stay pets and free up space to assist more animals in need.
The details
The fee-free adoption event will run from February 13-15 at all MSPCA-Angell shelters in Salem, Boston, Cape Cod, and Methuen. The event comes after a recent transport from a Philadelphia shelter doubled in size to help alleviate capacity issues there. The MSPCA-Angell says all of the pets in their care are equally deserving of finding homes where they will receive the love and attention they need.
- The adoption event will run from February 13-15, 2026.
- On Tuesday, a transport from a Philadelphia shelter was doubled in size to help alleviate capacity issues there.
The players
MSPCA-Angell
A non-profit animal welfare organization that operates shelters and provides veterinary services in Massachusetts.
Jamie Garabedian
Project manager in the MSPCA-Angell's Animal Protection Division.
What they’re saying
“The shelter environment is stressful for a lot of animals — regardless of everything we do to keep them happy — so the longer they're with us, the worse off their well-being is. Not to mention the fact that they're taking up space that will always be needed for a future animal.”
— Jamie Garabedian, Project manager, MSPCA-Angell Animal Protection Division (Patch.com)
“All of the pets in our care are equally worthy of finding homes where they'll get the love and attention they deserve.”
— Jamie Garabedian, Project manager, MSPCA-Angell Animal Protection Division (Patch.com)
What’s next
The MSPCA-Angell hopes that by waiving adoption fees, more people will be encouraged to adopt these extended-stay pets and provide them with loving homes.
The takeaway
This historic all-pet, fee-free adoption event demonstrates the MSPCA-Angell's commitment to finding homes for all animals in their care, regardless of species or breed. It's a compassionate effort to alleviate the stress of shelter life and free up space to assist more animals in need.
