Good animal shelters nearby

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

I found a lost dog recently while walking near Medford Square, and I took it home for the night. However, I haven't been able to find an animal shelter that is open, and most of them had voicemail messages indicating they weren't taking animals. I live near Ball Square, and my g/f is right in Davis. Can anyone recommend a good animal shelter nearby?

Comments

[kpht.livejournal.com]

You should be calling animal control, not a shelter. Call the Medford animal control - and do it soon, there could be a family that's beside themselves right now looking for their dog.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Yes, please call Animal Control. I am sure someone is looking for the dog. There are not really any real "strays" in this area, usually just "lost" pets that people are looking for. Call Somerville Animal Control on Monday.

617-625-6600 X 2190

[frederic.livejournal.com]

Put up a few found dog signs (besides calling Somerville & Medford animal control as suggested)?

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

I'll try the Medford animal control officer again on Monday. He apparently doesn't work weekends. :-(

[kpht.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize you'd already gone that avenue, now it makes sense that you're calling shelters to find emergency help for him. It's pretty crappy that they don't have a 24-hour solution. Not everyone can keep a stray/lost animal until the next business day.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Most cities/towns do not have 24 hour animal control. However, the MSPCA in JP has a 24 hour animal clinic and they will take in lost animals at any time. The MSPCA shelter then calls the ACO from the town in which the animal was found on the next business day so that they may come pick up the animal.
On the other hand, the Somerville ACO (me) is on call and will provide emergency assistance if contacted by the SPD.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

Medford used to have a 24-hour solution: the Medford PD would keep stray/lost dogs in spare cells until Monday, when the ACO would come to collect them. They apparently got in trouble for that, so they don't do that any more. (At least that's what they told me.)

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

I've got a few pictures of the dog, if anyone is interested.

http://www.mgzi.net/dog1.jpg
http://www.mgzi.net/dog2.jpg

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

That's a keeshond, I think. I'm sure that must be a pet.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

What a cutie =)

She/he looks well taken care of. You probably found the dog within hours of the owners losing it. It was nice of you to grab him/her before something happened or someone less kind found her. Have you tried calling the Medford PD business line and asking if they had any reports of a lost dog matching that description? A lot of times people will call local PDs and report lost dogs. I remember hearing the Medford PD would put dogs in cells. It was back when they did not have an ACO for 3 years.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

I got her to follow me to the Medford PD (just a few blocks away from the square), but they said they can't keep dogs there any more. They asked if I could keep the dog for the night, and call the ACO in the morning. (This was on Friday night.)

A woman stopped and gave me a leash and collar for the dog as I was walking back to my house. If it wasn't for that, I don't think I could have coaxed the dog all the way back to my house.

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

I've seen a dog that looks like this being walked on the bike path in Somerville near Lexington Park. So you might want to call the PD in Somerville, too. Sorry I can't be more helpful, but I hope you find the owner soon.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

If you have trouble contacting the Medford ACO tomorrow, give me a call at the number I posted above and I can take her. At least then you will know she is safe and I have all of the Medford guy's contact info so even if he is not on duty tomorrow he will know I have the dog. Also, I have another dog at the Somerville kennels that I need to walk/feed tonight so if you really need to have someone take the dog, I can take her for the night. If you would like to do this email me at aterrio@ci.somerville.ma.us

[suzybuzz.livejournal.com]

you're really kind for doing this, both of you

it's so strange; i think i saw a woman walking that dog in Davis (right by the crepe place and the new CVS) on Saturday afternoon! unless it was another doggie of the same breed, but they look fairly rare.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

The dog seems to be pretty comfortable downstairs, so it won't be too much of a problem to keep her until Monday. If the Medford ACO isn't in tomorrow, can I email you then?

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am in 9am-5pm. Let me know how it turns out.

[alexdw.livejournal.com]

The Medford animal control officer came this morning to collect the dog. He said he'll keep her for ten days, and if no one claims her after that, he'll put her up for adoption. If she stays there "too long," she'll get sent up to the North Shore animal shelter.

[grateful1311.livejournal.com]

Great, thank you for the update & thanks for bringing her home with you =)