Animal Rescue Organizations Face Challenges Amid High Cost of Living
With high inventory and lower demand, Baypath Humane Society is getting creative in its efforts to adopt out dogs like Kevin.
The high cost of living across the nation, including in Hopkinton where home prices are soaring, is presenting challenges for animal rescue organizations.
During the COVID pandemic, Baypath Humane Society struggled to meet the high demand for pets. However, the shelter, located on Legacy Farms Road North, is now experiencing a significant increase in owner-surrenders coupled with a decrease in adopters.
“I’ve never seen it this bad in my 13 years with Baypath,” said Kathy Lundgren, an Outreach Committee member. “Two years ago, our kennels were empty, and we couldn’t get dogs fast enough. But now, this year alone, we’ve had 50% more owner-surrenders compared to last year.
“The root of the problem seems to be primarily higher housing costs and inflation. Many people cannot afford to care for animals. We recently had two families surrender their dogs because they chose to live in their cars while searching for more affordable housing. They realized they couldn’t provide for their pets in that situation.”
Lundgren explained that while Baypath continues to receive dogs from rescue facilities in the South, the number of local owner-surrenders has increased from about one per month to 3-5 per week. Baypath currently adopts out approximately 20 pets per week, a third lower than its recent average.
“We can only accommodate a certain number of animals,” Lundgren explained, highlighting that Baypath is not an open-admission shelter and has to set a limit. “Unfortunately, we do have to turn some away.”
Further exacerbating the situation, Baypath has been encountering more stray animals and desperate owner-surrenders. Recently, someone left a cat in a carrier outside the facility. Despite these challenges, Baypath continues to welcome older and sick pets, which often take longer to find permanent homes.
Baypath (baypathhumane.org) has launched a promotion this August, waiving the adoption fee for dogs weighing 50 pounds or more. Larger dogs tend to be more difficult to find adopters for.
“Many apartments have size restrictions,” Lundgren explained. “Another problem that has emerged is an increasing number of breed restrictions. Some facilities do not allow pit bulls, huskies, and even greyhounds. The list of restricted breeds has become quite extensive, with apartment owners emailing it to us when inquiring about adoption. Some are even requesting DNA testing.”
If anyone is willing to help, they could consider becoming a foster parent, temporarily caring for a pet while a permanent home is sought.
“Foster parents are a tremendous help for us, as it opens up space in the shelter for another dog,” Lundgren acknowledged.
Baypath covers the costs of supplies such as leashes, collars, bowls, and other necessary items for foster families. The organization is also working on providing tips on its website for pet owners seeking low-cost medical care and spay/neuter services. Additionally, Baypath is trying to collaborate with local trainers to offer discounted pricing on obedience training.
“We haven’t seen anything quite like this in the Northeast,” Lundgren expressed. “Hopefully, the situation improves soon.”
Upcoming Events in Hopkinton
Two notable events taking place in Hopkinton this fall are the Weston Nurseries’ annual Blooms, Brews & BBQs fundraiser and the Hopkinton PolyArts Festival, both scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9.
The Blooms, Brews & BBQs event will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Weston Nurseries, located at 93 East Main Street. This event raises funds for the Jimmy Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, attracting food enthusiasts and music lovers. Vendors such as Hogwash BBQ Company, Greatest BBQ of New England, Uhlman’s Ice Cream, and local favorite Snappy Dogs will be present, offering a range of options including vegetarian choices. Beer and wine will be supplied by Marty’s Fine Wines and Start Line Brewing, both based in Hopkinton, and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available. The musical lineup includes performances by The Grateful Teds, Violingrrl, Hot Acoustics (featuring Hopkinton’s own Steve Spector), and Last Call Radio. Raffles will also be held, with prizes such as Weston Nurseries gift cards and Red Sox tickets. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the westonnurseries.com website.
PolyArts, a traditional arts and crafts event, will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hopkinton Town Common. Organized by the Hopkinton Cultural Council, the event proceeds contribute to scholarships for Hopkinton graduates pursuing arts education. Since its inception in 1974, PolyArts has grown into a day-long event, attracting professional craftspeople, performing artists, and community groups. The event offers something for everyone, including food, music, crafts, and other entertainment. Admission to PolyArts is free, and it is a family-friendly event. To learn more, visit the event website at cozzens.net/polyarts.
Looking ahead, the popular Hopkinton Family Day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, at the field behind Hopkinton Middle School. The event will feature free games, activities, entertainment, and food trucks from 2-6 p.m., followed by an evening fireworks display. For more information, visit the friendsofhopkinton.org website.