New Mansfield Animal Shelter

Click here for a VIRTUAL TOUR of the Future Shelter
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New Shelter Construction Progress

Current Shelter

Unfinished New Shelter

The weather tight steel shell had been erected on  property donated by the Town of Mansfield, off the service road leading to the present shelter.

But, it's still an empty shell. Additional donations of cash, materials, and labor are needed to complete the inside construction so that the animals can move in. Our goal for completion is Thanksgiving '10. But whether we make that goal depends largely on donations we receive for the final phase.

For a graphic presentation of how funds have been spent so far, and specifics about funds we need to complete the shelter, Click Here.

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April 2010 - Base Coat of Parking Lot

Thanks to:
P.J. Keating Company of Acushnet for donating materials.
Dave DeGirolamo for donating a portion of the labor and hauling of materials.

Dave DeGirolamo (2nd from right) and crew.

February 2010 - Installation of Heating Components of the HVAC System

Sept. '09 - Weather Tight Shell Shell

April '09 - Groundbreaking

 
Photo curtsey of Jacob Belcher and The Mansfield News

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August '06 - Clearing Land at the New Shelter Site

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Imagine . . .

Imagine a shelter with a spacious cat room where cats are allowed out of their cages to play and jump and perch on cat furniture; with window seats where cats can look outdoors and feel the sunlight; with a quiet, stress free room where visitors can get to know the dogs and cats they want to adopt; with spacious dog runs; with a quiet, larger office where volunteers can work productively.

With your help this dream can come true: to improve conditions for the animals who must live in a shelter while they are waiting for homes.

Why Mansfield Needs a New Shelter

The human and animal populations in Mansfield have grown dramatically in recent years, and the Shelter is no longer adequate for the town’s increasing animal needs. There are only 6 dog runs, and the cat room is usually filled to capacity.

· Because animals are rarely euthanized at the Shelter, many of them spend months living in cramped cages.

· Visitors who come to the Shelter to adopt have no place to meet the cats or dogs in a quiet environment.

· New cats at the shelter are placed in a quarantine room until they have seen a vet. This room is extremely small, with even smaller cages than in the main cat room. There is no quarantine accommodation for dogs.

· Telephone conversations between volunteers and callers are difficult because barking dogs are housed adjacent to the office.

· Office space is so small than only one volunteer at a time has room to work, despite the volume of administrative work that always needs to be done.

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For more photos of current shelter conditions, click HERE.

Services Mansfield Shelter Friends Provides

Despite limited resources, the Mansfield Shelter Friends provides the following services for homeless animals from Mansfield:

· All shelter animals are examined by a vet before they are eligible for adoption. If needed, animals are neutered/spayed, and updated on vaccinations. They are also tested for feline leukemia and heartworm (dogs).

· By trapping feral cats the shelter has waged an aggressive spay/neuter program to reduce the stray/feral cat population in Mansfield. This has resulted in a dramatic decrease in the number of homeless kittens brought to the shelter.

· The shelter promotes adoptions by featuring animals in local newspapers, posting animal information on petfinder.com, and publishing photos of shelter animals on the shelter website which is updated weekly.

· A newsletter that gives information on available pets, pet care, and events involving the shelter, is mailed regularly to Mansfield Shelter Friends members.

· In an effort to provide loving homes, adoption counselors screen prospective adopters for their willingness and ability to provide proper care and a suitable environment for the animals.

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About Mansfield Animal Shelter

The Mansfield Animal Shelter provides a refuge for stray and surrendered Mansfield dogs and cats until they can find homes.  Town funding for the shelter is minimal; the shelter is primarily self-funded. Veterinary expenses for spay/neutering, shots, and other medical needs are covered with money from donations,  fundraisers, and adoption fees.

 With the exception of the Animal Control Officer, the shelter staff is all volunteers, who provide care for the animals 365 days a year. Volunteers visit the shelter daily to feed the animals, clean their cages, launder animal bedding, walk the dogs, and provide love and attention for the homeless pets. In addition, volunteers transport animals to veterinary appointments, and provide temporary foster homes for animals that are too sick or too young to be adopted

Existing shelter by the sewer sludge treatment facility.

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