MSPCA-Angell Launches Mobile Spay and Neuter Services for Dogs and Cats

For the first time in the MSPCA-Angell’s 150+ year history, it is providing mobile spay and neuter services for both dogs and cats, the organization announced today. The van is operational as of April 6.

The program is geared toward addressing the nationwide backlog in shelters of dogs and cats needing to be spayed or neutered. According to the leading national database for animal shelter statistics, Shelter Animals Count, data collected in 2025 showed that only 25% of dogs and 23% of cats who had arrived at shelters were already spayed or neutered, leaving the rest of these procedures to be performed by shelter staff prior to adoption.

“Across the country, shelter resources have been stretched thin while staff try their best to keep up with the number of animals needing to be spayed or neutered,” said Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, Mike Keiley. “We’re not immune to this in Massachusetts, especially given the current hold on accepting new applications for the Mass Animal Fund’s Spay/Neuter Voucher Program.”

“The waitlist for this program alone exceeds 200 animals. If we don’t begin to chip away at the backlog on a local level by expanding affordable spay and neuter access, this issue will continue to snowball.”

Zeroing in on an Area in Need

The Massachusetts Animal Shelter Support (MASS) coalition was formed in 2024 with the mission to jointly confront a variety of problems affecting animals across a number of Massachusetts communities.

“An area of focus for the coalition has been to work together to find homes for animals faster,” noted Keiley. “For this to happen, the operations within these shelters need to be running smoothly and effectively.”

Last June, the Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL)—in collaboration with the MSPCA-Angell—instituted several changes to strengthen its operations and maximize its impact.

“WARL has done a lot of work to greatly improve how they’re able to serve animals in Worcester,” Keiley explained. “We’re grateful we were able to help with these efforts and look forward to working together to further develop a vital service.”

The mobile spay and neuter van will first service dogs and cats at WARL and will operate two days per week with the goal of performing 200 procedures each month.

“Currently, veterinary resources onsite at WARL are limited,” said Keiley. “On top of that, the shelter often receives intact strays from the city’s animal control officers, and as a result, the backlog continues to grow. This also reduces WARL’s ability to take in more animals as the shelter fills up.”

“We’re optimistic that this joint venture will result in both animals getting adopted more quickly and increase WARL’s ability to take in more animals needing to find homes.”

Expanding Reach

Shortly after operations are underway at WARL, mobile spay and neuter services will be offered to resident dogs and cats in Worcester.

“Worcester is not only the second largest city in New England, but its poverty rate is nearly double the average for both its county and Massachusetts,” Keiley stated. “Because of this, we anticipate a lot of need in the community.”

The spay and neuter van is a collaborative effort between the MSPCA-Angell, Fido Fixers, and the Bissell Pet Foundation’s Fix the Future program.

“This is an exciting endeavor for us,” Keiley expounded. “It’ll allow us to rehome more animals while addressing the community overpopulation that leads to crowded shelters.”

The MSPCA-Angell and WARL will post updates on how to sign up on their websites and social media channels.

Mass. Senate passes major animal welfare bill

Unanimous vote targets puppy mills, expands protections and promotes pet-friendly housing

Photo submitted by the office of Karen Spilka

The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed sweeping animal welfare legislation that would ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet stores, strengthen anti-cruelty protections and expand access to pet ownership across the state.

The bill — known as the PETS Act — aims to cut off what lawmakers describe as the “puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline” by prohibiting retail sales of dogs and cats while still allowing pet shops to partner with shelters and nonprofits for adoptions.

The legislation passed on a 38-0 roll call vote and now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Pets are family, and this bill makes it clear they should be treated that way,” Senate President Karen E. Spilka said in a statement. “We are doubling down on treating animals with humanity and care, expanding access to pet ownership, and taking another important step toward ending discrimination against breeds like pit bulls.”

Sen. Michael Moore, D-Millbury, also pointed to the breadth of the bill’s impact.

“Yesterday’s unanimous, bipartisan vote to pass the PETS Act is a testament to the Senate’s commitment to protecting animals here in the Commonwealth,” Moore said in a statement.

“Ending the sale of dogs and cats in pet stores, banning unnecessary animal testing,

bolstering anti-cruelty penalties, and establishing protections for pet owners in public housing are all important steps toward improving life both for Bay Staters and our furry friends.”

Moore added that while the legislation includes major reforms, he plans to continue pushing additional animal welfare measures, including proposals related to post-abuse pet ownership restrictions and considering animal wellbeing in divorce proceedings.

In addition to ending commercial pet sales, the bill includes a range of provisions aimed at improving animal welfare and keeping pets in homes.

Lawmakers said the measure would prohibit certain types of non-medical animal testing, expand existing anti-cruelty laws to cover all household pets, and give local authorities more tools to address neglect.

The legislation also takes aim at breed-based restrictions that can limit where people live or whether they can obtain insurance.

Under the proposal, public housing agencies would be required to allow pets without discriminating based on breed or size, and insurance companies would be barred from using breed as a factor in coverage decisions.

“Having had my pit bull Teja in my life shaped how I understand the role pets play in our families and communities,” Sen. Pavel M. Payano said in a statement. “In Massachusetts, no one should face higher insurance costs because of a dog’s breed, be forced to choose between housing and their pet, or be burdened by unclear and rising pet fees.”

Supporters say the bill reflects years of advocacy from animal welfare organizations and growing concern about the treatment of animals in commercial breeding operations.

“It breaks my heart to see cruel and inhumane puppy mills abusing dogs to mass-produce puppies to ship across the country when there are so many wonderful and lonely pets waiting to be adopted,” Sen. Jason M. Lewis said in a statement.

Advocates say the changes could have a ripple effect beyond animal welfare, helping reduce the number of pets entering shelters and making it easier for families to keep animals in their homes.

“We are grateful to the senate for passing this landmark bill that protects animals, families, and consumers across the Commonwealth,” Kara Holmquist of MSPCA-Angell said in a statement. “The PETS Act will help keep more pets in their homes while reducing the number of animals entering shelters … and stop the puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline.”

If approved by the House and signed into law, Massachusetts would join a growing number of states that have moved to ban retail sales of dogs and cats in an effort to curb large-scale commercial breeding operations.

Central MA Residents Protest Bull Riding at DCU Center

Animal advocates say bulls are subjected to fear, pain and exploitation for entertainment

Animal advocates gather in Worcester this weekend to protest what they describe as cruelty inherent in bull riding and rodeo-style events.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, from 5-6:30 p.m., community members organized by Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates (WMARA) and Positive Change for Animals (PCA) demonstrate outside the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, where a bull riding event is scheduled. Organizers say the protest is aimed at raising awareness about what they believe happens behind the scenes at such events.

A petition calling on the DCU Center to ban bull-riding and other animal exploitation events has garnered more than 1,500 signatures, while a separate petition seeking a citywide rodeo ban has attracted nearly 400 supporters.

The groups, along with Christian Animal Rights Association, are proposing a local ordinance that would prohibit the use of devices they describe as “tools of torture” — including equipment they say is used to provoke bulls to buck during performances.

“We believe it is important to expose the truth of what the bulls used in these events must endure,” said Sheryl Becker, an organizer with Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates, in a statement. “Through our public demonstration, we hope to raise awareness in people choosing to attend that the animals subjected to bull-riding events are not unfeeling robots, but live, sentient beings.”

In their announcement, organizers describe bulls being transported in confined trailers, isolated from their herd, forced into chutes, and fitted with bucking straps before entering the arena. They contend that the straps, tightened around sensitive areas, cause distress and that the animals buck in an attempt to escape discomfort. The release also alleges that bulls can suffer injuries, including leg and back injuries, and experience visible signs of stress.

“This animal abuse portrayed as ‘sport’ is often promoted as a family event,” Becker said in the statement. “What does this teach our children?”

Advocates point to international and domestic efforts to restrict or ban rodeo practices, saying Worcester should take similar steps. Their proposed ordinance would limit or prohibit certain equipment used in rodeo events within city limits.

Organizers say the protest is open to community members who wish to stand against bull riding and support stronger animal protections in Worcester.