The future is bright for 39 dogs recently brought to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Massachusetts from Texas—one of the states hit hardest by the ongoing national dog population crisis.

The flight is the first collaboration between the MSPCA and Operation Kindness, a lifesaving animal shelter in Carrollton, Texas. The plane arrived at Hanscom Field in Bedford on the afternoon of May 25.

“Operation Kindness is really unique in that it’s tackling the biggest animal welfare problems facing the South right now—and those are huge problems,” said MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “They’re providing a lifeline to big municipal shelter systems, like Dallas Animal Services, by taking in some of their animals.” Keiley estimates that shelter system alone takes in an average of more than 100 animals every single day.

The Operation Kindness dogs range in age from two-months to three-years-old. They are a variety of breeds and sizes, including Chihuahuas, Poodle mixes, Hound mixes, and Pit Bull mixes.

They are also the inspiration behind the MSPCA’s next fee-waived adoption event — called Texas Home ‘Em — for all dogs aged one and older that weigh at least 40 pounds—because everything is bigger in Texas.

The adoptathon will be held during open hours at the MSPCA’s shelters in Boston, Methuen, Salem, and Centerville on Cape Cod, beginning June 3 at the Northeast Animal Shelter, June 4 at the other three locations, and running through June 9 at all shelters. More information on the event may be found at mspca.org/dogs.

The MSPCA-Angell is partnering with American Humane and Bissell Pet Foundation to rescue 25 large breed dogs from Texas. The dogs arrived at Hanscom Field in Bedford on the afternoon of April 23.

“Many of these dogs were living at a small rescue operation,” explained MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “But that group was no longer able to provide the care that they needed, so the dogs started to suffer, and it became clear they needed to be moved off the property.”

“Unfortunately, it’s near impossible to find transport partners for dogs right now, especially larger breeds, because most organizations are already full up,” he expounded, alluding to the national dog population crisis.

“Our own population has been at or near capacity for over a year at this point, but thanks to the success of our last adoption event, we were able to free up some space and knew we had to help.”

The dogs range in age from 12-weeks to 10-years-old and are mostly mixes of large breeds, including Pit Bulls, Labrador Retrievers, Hounds, and Catahoulas. After their arrival in Bedford, they were split between all four of the MSPCA’s Adoption Centers. They will be available for adoption following their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after receiving any medical care they may need.

The MSPCA will post updates on the dogs’ adoption statuses on its social media pages. Keiley estimates caring for the dogs is expected to cost roughly $5,000. Those interested in donating to help offset that cost may do so at mspca.org/donate.

The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is calling for adopters for more than 160 animals who were rescued from an Ayer property in February. The animals were seized by MSPCA Law Enforcement and Ayer Police after it was discovered that they were living in unsanitary conditions without adequate access to food and water—and officers observed injured animals in need of medical care.

Their previous owner, who is being charged with 30 counts of animal cruelty, surrendered the animals to the care of the MSPCA on April 8.

Among the animals are 91 chickens, 11 ducks, eight geese, and two ponies, as well as 49 goats, some of whom are pregnant.

“Many of these animals needed medical care,” said MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection, Mike Keiley. “In addition to caring for the pregnant goats and their eventual babies, we need to castrate the males, and some of the birds also need additional treatment, including a poor goose that has a tumor on its eyelid.”

Keiley estimates caring for these animals has already topped $20,000, with more costs accruing as they continue on their road to recovery. Those who would like to donate to help offset that cost are asked to do so at mspca.org/ayer.

“Getting all of these animals ready for adoption will take an extraordinary amount of work, given the condition they arrived in,” Keiley expounded. “But there are some goats, ducks, geese, and roosters at Nevins who are ready to find their forever homes now.”

Interested adopters can visit Nevins Farm in Methuen during open hours, Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 3:00 p.m., or submit an inquiry online at mspca.org/nevinsadopt.