MSPCA closing; animals future uncertain

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Fifteen people are looking for work and hundreds of animals are looking for homes after the Springfield MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center announced Thursday that it will close it doors for good on March 31st.

For decades, the Springfield MSPCA has placed thousands of stray animals in loving homes.

And now, amid what the MSPCA's Candy Lash describes as a "horrendous" economy, more that $12 million in MSPCA endowments has evaporated.

On Wednesday, Springfield MSPCA employees were told that the shelter would be shutting down.

Lash told 22News that the first thing on everyones mind was what would happen to the hundreds of animals that the MSPCA houses in it's facility. Lash's colleagues echoed her sentiment.

"I think our biggest fear going forward is certainly with these little guys like twinkle, that we can't not know about them and know there's potential suffering. So we have to have meetings of the minds to get these guys some help, because they need somewhere to go," said manager of the MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center Pam Peebles.

Peebles worked her first day at the animal care and adoption center on September 21st, 1981, and told 22News all they can do is hold on to hope that the animals affected by the closure will find homes.

"We hope that the animals here now will find homes in Western Mass before we close, and for those that do not, they will be going to our sister adoption centers that will remain open," said MSPCA Community and Media Relations spokesperson Candy Lash.

In addition to the uncertain futures of the friendly furry faces of the MSPCA, 15 local mspca workers are looking for work.

"I think we trust that humans will take care of themselves somehow, but the animals need humans to speak for them," said Lash.

If you'd like to help-out, the MSPCA Animal Care and Adoption Center encourages you to participate in it's Valentines Day Pet Adoption Extravaganza.

It will be held at the Union Street shelter on Saturday February 14th, and Sunday February 15th from 11:00am to 3:00pm.

For more information on the MSPCA click here.