Expensive building led to MSPCA demise

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - MSPCA President Carter Luke said at a news conference that their Springfield facility is just too expensive to operate.

It lost $1-million last year alone. At the same time, the organization's endowment fund lost more than $11-million.

"The primary motivation is economic because we are facing risks from all of the losses that we've been taking," said Luke.

The Springfield MSPCA takes in about 6,600 animals a year including dogs, cats, bunnies and even birds.

They'll continue to do so until the end of March. Those that don't find a new home will go to MSPCA adoptions centers in the eastern part of the state.

The closing also leaves 15 full-time workers out of a job.

Pam Peebles has dedicated nearly 30 years of her life to the Springfield adoption center and admits, the biggest pain doesn't come from losing her job, but from leaving the animals.

The MSPCA is closing two other adoption centers in Brockton and Martha's Vineyard. They will also eliminate 46 positions at headquarters in Boston.