Dakin Humane Society

Donny Roberts

2020-05

Our experience with the worker was great. However, $350 for a kitten is just a bit too much seeing as they use to only be about $50. This is the unfortunate reason as to why people tend to get their pets privately and pay the $150 for shots and vet visits themselves. My question is why is it $350 for 1 kitten and only $100 more for a second one but there's no pay scale for adoption pricing? Seems to me like there is quite a bit of room in pricing. We would have absolutely LOVED him as a new addition to our little fur family here at home.

Meredith GoodDog

2023-05

Google needs to be updated, the Leverett building is closed. The driveway is blocked with plastic snow-fencing but no sign tells you any information. There were three cars outside the driveway this afternoon, October 2, 2022 trying to figure it out. It was a lovely 30 minute drive up there and then back, but it would have been nice to know in advance that the facility was closed and we would have made other plans.

Mike Ruest

2016-05

Just adopted 2 sister cats from Leverett. I worked with one woman the first day who was extremely helpful and forthcoming about the cats I took home. The second woman who got me through the adoption process was swift, helpful and genuine. You can tell they really care about their animals and genuinely take an interest in their physical and mental state. These cats have been in my house for less than a day and they already feel like they've been in our family for years.If you want to adopt an animal with a good personality from people who care, Dakin is THE way to go.

Tiffany Johnson

2020-05

Wonderful place where you can play with the animals before making a decision about your new family member! They have two cat rooms, a small pet room with bunnies, guinea pigs, and more! And they have an outdoor space where you can play with a dog of your choice! The staff is wonderful and it's easy to yell that they love animals.

Jennifer

2018-05

The Dakin shelter staff deserve a five star rating, they do a fabulous job of caring for the animals, but and this is a big BUT, the Massachusetts humane society needs to do more to vet dogs for problem behavior before they go home with adopters, and provide behavior rehabilitation to the dogs that come through their doors. I have become aware, through an unfortunate adoption experience, that because Massachusetts has had great success with their spay and neuter program we have a very small shelter population compared to people who want dogs. I was told by Dakin shelter staff that most Massachusetts resident dogs come to them because they have behavior problems(dogs thst come to Mass shelters from other states have a much better track record). In other words, there are few unwanted dogs here in Mass and the ones that are unwanted have a high propensity for behavior problems. Most lay people, even huge animal lovers, don't have the kind of knowledge and experience it takes to deal with serious problem behaviors. I, unfortunately, had to return, a seemingly even tempered dog i adopted to the shelter because it bit me and my child. The only information adopters have to base their decision on is a history written by the animals former owner (which is frequently incorrect or omitted due to fear of the animal being euthanized), the limited interaction of the staff with the animal, and the potential adopters own limited interaction with the animal(I drove an hour to and from Dakin and my child and I spent an hour playing with the dog, I then came back a few days later to adopt the dog, I thought I was being thorough and responsible but I am not a expert and don't know how to check for anxiety or aggression). I strongly believe that if the dog i adopted had been evaluated further than just the staffs regular feeding and walking, that if someone trained in dog behavior had tested for anxiety and/or aggression my child and I would not have been bitten. If what the shelter staff is saying is true and the human society is aware that most of the dogs being surrendered in Massachusetts have behavior problems they need to do more to vet animals and help with rehabilitation. The Massachusetts humane society encourages adoption and condemns buying dogs from breeders but does little to investigate the dicey animals that come to them. It has always been a gamble to adopt a dog from a shelter but the gamble of adopting in Massachusetts shelters now has terrible odds. I am heartbroken over my experience and unlikely to try adopting from a local shelter again unless the dog is being fostered and in a home that is certain of it's temperament.

G r

2018-05

I have adopted all of our animals from dakin, and have had incredible experiences. One morning, after the tragic death of one of our cats, we went to dakin to look at some cats. We had come in too early, before they opened, but despite that, they let us in anyway, and adopted our beautiful kitten, ollie. I have had truly magical experiences here

Richard Grace

2020-05

Super compassionate animal loving people here. Very limited selection of adoptable pets however. 2 cats and 1 rabbit each time I went. Better off taking the drive to their Springfield location.

Sue Stanley

2020-05

Recently we brought home an older cat to replace our beloved Horatio. Unfortunately it just did not work out.Dakin lovingly took the cat back. They could not have been more loving and caring.

Sickle VVV

2022-05

I've adopted 3 cats from Dakin's over the years, all for around $50 each. But now it costs $300 to adopt even an extremely shy "spirit cat" with "multiple health concerns"?? Really?? There ARE other shelters in this area, all charging LESS.

Diana Garvey

2017-05

I didn't hate dankin I hate the inflexibility the staff have about how much they really want a home for the poor animals chat are subjected day after day to bonding with a potential warm and loving homevonly to be turned away for the 425.00 fee for the puppy we fell in love with we were there for a service dog for my daughters Anxiety's we came to see Steven I filled the paperwork out I live one town over we have done donations and adoptions here before. I was shocked at the price but I honestly tried to work out a reasonable way to take Steven home today or after everything cleared meaning Thursday and pick him up then. She wouldn't even hear of it. My impression of Dankin from this women who wouldn't work with me is she doesn't care about the animal she cares about making money. In the meantime I wonder how many loving homes were turned down who were willing to pay I was I love my pets as children they are a lifetime commitment. I was willing to sacrifice. What ever they wanted to make him ours. It was the first time I saw my daughter smile ear to ear in a very long time and he was loving on her like she was his long lost friend. Like I said I was looking for a potential service dog . I was told no. He would be adopted that day with the first 425.00. So my impression of how I feel I tried to get a medical need for my daughter. I went to our neighborhood shelter that advertises how these poor animals need homes but when you can't give them everything all at once they don't have a heart for the animal the potential match of what would be best for the animal. Money Talks. Fixed income people elderly and handicap. Forget your dreams of owning a dog or Cat if you can't pay a fee at an animal shelter for a companion you can't take care of them. How dare you come into our shelter thinking you could have that dog. Only rich working people are entitled to own a pet. Don't try to cone in here and negotiate with us we don't care about your sob story. We have all the time in the world to wait for these ridiculous prices and guilt we throw at animal livers all over the country.

RICHARD ALEX

2020-05

They are so nice and so helpful. We have been here in the past. It is such a blessing to have a local shelter to bring your pets to if needed. Animals deserve the best treatment such as we do. It is a shelter I know I can trust.

Matt Attesi

2020-05

Always friendly staff who work hard to find animals their forever homes. Have gotten 1 dog and at least 2 cats from them and will continue to adopt from here!

Suzanne Barnett

2018-05

15 years later I still have my loves. Going today to adopt again should one of the little darlings like me. The staff, the health of the babies and follow through is all about the love.

Eli Smith

2019-05

We adopted a cat and the process was easy and the facility was very nice!

Gretchen Feist

2019-05

I adopted my Ana Lucia from Dakin in Leverette 9 years ago. They are very helpful.

Suzi Millette-Kucinski

2016-05

Very Truthful regarding the animals and very caring . Great knowledge of each dog available for adoption.

Ry-Ry BN

2018-05

My family adopted a cat there named Monty he is a sweet cat we thank Dakin

Laura Demers Desena

2016-05

Kind, knowledgeable and caring. Would recommend to anyone looking to love a new pet.

Jody Del Valle

2018-05

I LOVE how Da I in helps the community and all the animals. Adopt don't buy

Michelle Chevalier

2018-05

Always a fun stop! Very helpful and knowledgeable.We love it here 1

Patricia Friedman

2018-05

Looking for cat as a companion for my cat. They had none available, told me to check back next week.

kim lapseritis

2017-05

Adopted 2 wonderful felines over the years. I am ready for another!

Rose Lynch

2019-05

Great place to support, donate to or adopt a pet from!

Debra Robleto

2019-05

They make sure the animals are all set at home before they leave

Anan Zo

2017-05

Honestly I went here just a few times to ask about couple things and they were very helpful and very friendly.

Yulia

2020-05

They really care about their animals, and they do so much for them.

Nana Pam Pgugp

2020-05

They find homes for dogs, cat and other animals

Gail Gagnon

2018-05

They are the bomb!!! Give me some puppy love!

Fredric T Cohen

2015-05

Wonderful people who care about the animals

Robert Cliche

2014-05

Great place