Dakin Animal Shelter & Control: Adoption Hours 2026
The organization most people mean by “Dakin Animal Shelter” is Dakin Humane Society, a private nonprofit animal-welfare organization at 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Dakin handles adoption, pet surrender by appointment, foster care, accessible veterinary services, spay/neuter, pet food support and other community programs.
One local distinction matters before you call: Dakin is not Springfield’s municipal Animal Control authority. For stray dogs, official animal-control response and legal stray holds in Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee, the correct route is Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center (TJO).
Dakin or Animal Control? Start With the Right Service
This is where many Springfield-area searches become confusing. The shelter, municipal Animal Control and public veterinary clinic are related to animal welfare, but they do different jobs.
Adopting from Dakin
Use Dakin Humane Society at 171 Union Street. Walk-in adoption is available during the listed adoption window.
Found a loose dog
Do not bring a Springfield stray dog directly to Dakin. Contact TJO Animal Control because Massachusetts stray dogs must complete their legal stray hold through the proper municipal authority.
Your owned dog or cat needs non-emergency care
Use the Pet Health Center at Dakin. It operates by appointment and has a separate veterinary booking process.
You need to surrender your own pet
Start with Dakin’s rehoming resources. A surrender form and appointment are required for normal surrender intake.
Dakin Humane Society Adoption Hours 2026
Dakin’s Springfield Adoption Center is currently open for animal adoptions Tuesday through Saturday. Programs outside normal adoption and thrift-shop service generally operate by appointment.
| Day | Adoption Center | Best use of the day |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Not open for regular adoption visits | Review current pets online and prepare questions. |
| Monday | Not open for regular adoption visits | Check current profiles and plan a Tuesday–Saturday visit. |
| Tuesday | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM | Walk-in adoption visit; no appointment required. |
| Wednesday | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM | Meet available shelter animals and speak with adoption staff. |
| Thursday | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM | Good weekday option if you are prepared to adopt. |
| Friday | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM | Check live listings before driving for one specific pet. |
| Saturday | 12:30 PM–3:00 PM | Weekend adoption window; adult-pet holds are not offered Saturdays. |
How to Adopt From Dakin Humane Society
Pet availability changes quickly. A calm, prepared visit usually gives you more room to focus on the animal’s personality, health and fit instead of rushing through logistics.
Check Dakin’s live animal listings
Start with the official Dakin available animals page . Dakin says listings update in real time as animals become available and are adopted.
Check whether the pet is at the shelter or in foster
An animal whose profile says it is in foster care is not available to meet at the shelter. Contact Dakin for the appropriate next step before making the trip.
Consider a hold if you are traveling for one adult pet
Adult dogs and adult cats may qualify for a 24-hour hold for a nonrefundable $25 fee. Call 413-781-4000 ext. 1 to ask before traveling.
Visit Tuesday–Saturday from 12:30–3 PM
No standard adoption appointment is required. Arrive with enough time to meet the animal, ask questions and complete the process without rushing near closing.
Bring safe transportation equipment
Dakin says adopters need a secure carrier for a cat, kitten or small pet, and a collar and leash for a dog or puppy. Those items are also available for purchase at Dakin.
Confirm the individual adoption fee
Dakin does not publish one universal current adoption fee. The fee is listed on each available animal’s profile and is due at adoption. Dakin says it cannot offer adoption-fee payment plans and does not accept checks for adoption fees.
Can Dakin Hold a Pet for You?
24-hour hold
Dakin currently allows a hold on an adult dog or adult cat for up to 24 hours when staff confirm the animal is eligible.
$25 nonrefundable
The current hold fee is $25 and is nonrefundable. This can be useful if Springfield is a long drive for you.
No puppy or kitten holds
Dakin does not offer holds on puppies or kittens. Holds are also unavailable on Saturdays and during adoption promotions or special events.
Dakin Adoption Fees and What the Fee Includes
Dakin’s current system is animal-specific: the fee shown on the individual live profile is the fee you should use. Avoid relying on an older third-party fee chart because special promotions and individual pricing can change.
Medical and transition care
- Veterinary examination.
- Spay/neuter surgery.
- Age-appropriate vaccinations.
- Feline leukemia testing.
- FIV testing for adult cats.
- Microchip and registration.
- Deworming and parasite treatment.
- Rabies vaccine when age appropriate.
- Safety collar and ID tag.
- Food starter pack.
- Behavior evaluation and support access.
- Free post-adoption exam at participating clinics.
Medical and transition care
- Veterinary examination.
- Spay/neuter surgery.
- Age-appropriate vaccinations.
- Heartworm testing.
- Heartworm prevention.
- Microchip and registration.
- Deworming treatment.
- Flea and tick treatment.
- Rabies vaccine when age appropriate.
- Food starter pack.
- Behavior evaluation and support access.
- Free post-adoption exam at participating clinics.
Springfield Animal Control: Dakin Is Not the Municipal Authority
If your search for “Dakin Animal Shelter & Control” is really about a loose dog, official stray hold, nuisance complaint or animal-control response inside Springfield, use the municipal route instead of bringing the problem directly to Dakin.
Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control
Phone: 413-781-1484 ext. 1
Address: 627 Cottage Street, Springfield, MA 01104.
TJO states that Animal Control services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officers are on duty daily from 7 AM–10 PM, with after-hours emergency calls monitored.
Do not bring a found stray dog directly to Dakin
Dakin states that stray dogs in Massachusetts must first be held by the Animal Control authority in the city or town where they were found.
A found dog can come to Dakin only after completing the applicable legal stray hold through Animal Control.
Emergency & Important Contacts
These phone numbers do different jobs. A shelter phone should not be treated as a police emergency line, and Springfield Animal Control should not be automatically used for incidents in neighboring jurisdictions.
| Contact | Number | Verified purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dakin Humane Society | 413-781-4000 | Adoption, Dakin resources and general shelter assistance. Adoption questions can use extension 1. |
| TJO Animal Control | 413-781-1484 ext. 1 | Springfield, Holyoke and Chicopee municipal Animal Control including urgent field-service routing. |
| Emergency — Springfield | 911 | Immediate police, fire or medical emergency. Use when a person is in immediate danger. |
| Springfield Police Non-Emergency | 413-787-6300 | Official Springfield Police non-emergency contact. It is not the routine Animal Control line. |
| Springfield Health & Human Services | 413-787-6741 | Main Health & Human Services contact. The department records dog-bite cases and handles public-health responsibilities involving rabies exposure and quarantine. |
| Springfield Environmental Health | 413-787-6740 | Springfield specifically directs people who had contact with a bat to Environmental Health at this number. |
| MSPCA Western Massachusetts Cruelty Reporting |
413-448-6046
800-628-5808 |
Dakin directs Western Massachusetts animal cruelty, abuse and neglect reports to MSPCA humane law enforcement. |
Lost or Found a Pet Near Dakin?
A missing animal can turn an ordinary day into a frightening one. Dakin’s current guidance emphasizes moving quickly and using the correct local Animal Control authority rather than waiting for the animal to appear at the shelter.
Start searching immediately
- Search close to the last-seen location immediately.
- Report the pet through Petco Love Lost .
- File a report with the Animal Control Officer for your city or town.
- For Springfield, Holyoke or Chicopee, contact TJO.
- Keep checking shelter and lost/found listings.
- Ask neighbors to check garages, sheds, porches and hiding places.
Help reunite before rehoming
- Report the animal on Petco Love Lost.
- Contact the Animal Control Officer where the animal was found.
- Have the pet checked for a microchip through a vet or Animal Control.
- Post clear found-pet notices locally and online.
- Do not keep a found dog without following the legal Animal Control route.
- Do not bring a Springfield-area stray dog directly to Dakin.
Surrendering or Rehoming a Pet Through Dakin
Dakin strongly encourages families to explore safe direct rehoming and pet-support resources before surrender because shelter environments can be stressful. When surrender is necessary, the normal process is planned rather than a same-minute drop-off.
| Pet type | Current suggested surrender fee | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog / Puppy | $200 | Suggested contribution toward shelter care. |
| Cat / Kitten | $100 | Suggested contribution toward shelter care. |
| Small Animal | $50 | Suggested contribution toward shelter care. |
Start with Dakin’s official rehoming page
Open Dakin’s Find a Home for a Pet resource and review alternatives before surrender.
Complete the correct surrender form
Use the species-specific form linked by Dakin. The form allows staff to understand the animal’s history and determine the appropriate intake plan.
Arrange the appointment
Do not arrive for a normal surrender without an appointment. Contact Dakin at 413-781-4000 or springfield@dakinhumane.org.
Send complete veterinary records
Your veterinarian can email full records to medicalrecords@dakinhumane.org or fax them to 413-781-4017.
Transport the animal safely
Dogs should arrive securely leashed. Cats and small animals should be in secure carriers.
Pet Health Center at Dakin: Public Veterinary Care
Unlike shelters that only provide medical care to animals in their custody, Dakin operates a separate public veterinary program for owned cats and dogs. The Pet Health Center focuses on non-emergency wellness and treatment and is located at the same 171 Union Street campus.
Monday–Thursday
The current Pet Health Center schedule is 9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Appointment only
Walk-ins are not accepted. Each pet requires a separate appointment request.
413-278-6884
Dakin says the fastest contact method is its request form or email because phone response may take longer.
Dakin Pet Health Center Exam, Vaccine & Microchip Fees
These are current published Pet Health Center prices for several common dog and cat services. Treatment beyond routine services can cost more after the veterinarian examines the pet and prepares an estimate.
| Service | Published price | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Routine exam — required | $60 | Dogs and cats |
| Rabies vaccine | $20 | Dogs and cats |
| Canine distemper / parvovirus | $20 | Dogs |
| Bordetella | $20 | Dogs |
| Leptospirosis | $20 | Dogs |
| Lyme vaccine | $35 | Dogs |
| 4DX heartworm / tick-borne test | $55 | Dogs |
| Feline distemper | $20 | Cats |
| FeLV / FIV test | $55 | Cats |
| HomeAgain microchip + registration | $22 | Dogs and cats |
Dakin Veterinarians and Medical Leadership
These names and roles are taken from Dakin’s current team pages. A listed veterinarian is not automatically guaranteed to be the veterinarian assigned to a particular appointment.
Dakin Community Spay/Neuter Clinic
The Community Spay/Neuter Clinic is a separate Dakin veterinary program at the Union Street campus. Its entrance is on Dale Street.
Tuesday–Friday
Current clinic operating hours are 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.
10:00 AM–2:30 PM
Dakin separately publishes these hours for administrative contact.
Springfield Dog Licensing After Adoption
Dakin adoption and City of Springfield dog licensing are separate. If your new dog’s legal residence is Springfield, use the City Clerk’s licensing process.
| Dog license | Current City fee | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Spayed / neutered dog | $5 annually | Current rabies vaccination and proof of sterilization. |
| Unaltered dog | $25 annually | Current rabies vaccination. |
| Late fee | $10 | City currently applies the fixed late fee after June 1. |
Check the rabies certificate
Springfield requires current rabies documentation before licensing a dog.
Gather proof of spay/neuter if applicable
Sterilized dogs qualify for the lower published annual fee.
Use the official City licensing route
Open the City of Springfield Dog Licenses page for online, mail or in-person instructions.
City Clerk dog-license questions: 413-787-6096 .
More Than Adoption: Dakin Support for Pets and People
Foster care
Dakin uses foster homes for animals who need time outside the shelter, including animals with medical, developmental or behavioral needs.
Pet food aid
Dakin operates pet food assistance intended to help families keep pets when food cost becomes a barrier.
Training and behavior resources
Dakin publishes animal training and behavior information that can help families work through common challenges before considering surrender.
Humane euthanasia support
Dakin offers humane euthanasia services in situations where a guardian cannot access care through their regular veterinarian. Appointment requirements and fees depend on the service route.
Pet loss support
Dakin offers pet-loss and healing support resources for people coping with the death of an animal companion.
Shelter intake philosophy
Dakin describes itself as an open-admission shelter for companion animals, while still asking families to use planned surrender appointments whenever possible.
If Your Shelter Search Is Elsewhere in Massachusetts
Dakin is a Springfield-based resource. If the animal, adoption visit or shelter question is in another part of Massachusetts, use the page for the correct organization rather than assuming Dakin or TJO covers the location.
East Brookfield / Central Massachusetts
See the Second Chance Animal Shelter guide for its adoption center, community veterinary programs and separate local animal-control guidance.
Worcester
Use the Worcester Animal Rescue League guide for Worcester adoption, surrender, fees and city Animal Control routing.
Sterling
The Sterling Animal Shelter guide covers Animal Shelter Inc., adoption hours and its on-site clinic.
Methuen / Merrimack Valley
Use the Nevins Farm Animal Shelter guide for MSPCA adoption information and Methuen-specific animal-control routing.
Map to Dakin Humane Society in Springfield
Dakin’s Springfield Adoption Center, Pet Health Center and Community Spay/Neuter Clinic operate from the 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105 campus, although clinic entrances and appointment procedures may differ.
Official Dakin & Springfield Resources
The practical information is summarized on this page. Use these official resources for live pet availability, appointment openings, current individual adoption fees and day-of service changes.
Dakin Animal Shelter FAQ: Top 10 Questions
1. Where is Dakin Humane Society located?
Dakin Humane Society’s Springfield Adoption Center is at 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105. Its Pet Health Center and Community Spay/Neuter Clinic are on the same campus, although the spay/neuter clinic uses the Dale Street entrance.
2. What are Dakin Humane Society adoption hours in 2026?
Dakin currently lists animal adoption hours Tuesday through Saturday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. No standard appointment is required to visit the adoption center.
3. What is the Dakin Humane Society phone number?
The main Springfield Dakin number is 413-781-4000. For adoption-center questions, Dakin directs callers to extension 1.
4. How much does it cost to adopt from Dakin?
Dakin does not currently publish one universal adoption-fee table. Adoption fees vary and are listed on each available animal’s current online profile. The fee is due at adoption; Dakin says it cannot offer payment plans or accept checks for adoption fees.
5. Can Dakin hold a dog or cat for me?
An eligible adult dog or adult cat can currently be placed on a 24-hour hold for a nonrefundable $25 fee. Holds are not available for puppies or kittens and are not offered on Saturdays or during adoption promotions/events.
6. Is Dakin Humane Society the Springfield Animal Control department?
No. Dakin Humane Society is a private nonprofit organization and states that it receives no government funding. Springfield’s municipal Animal Control route is through Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center.
7. Who do I call for Springfield Animal Control?
For municipal Animal Control in Springfield, call Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control at 413-781-1484 ext. 1. TJO also serves Holyoke and Chicopee. For an immediate threat to human life, call 911.
8. Can I surrender my pet to Dakin without an appointment?
Normal pet surrender requires a surrender form and appointment. Dakin currently accepts surrendered animals from residents of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties. In an emergency involving danger to a person or animal, or homelessness, Dakin says to call 413-781-4000.
9. Does Dakin have a veterinary clinic for the public?
Yes. The Pet Health Center at Dakin provides non-emergency veterinary care for owned cats and dogs. It is open Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 5 PM by appointment only. The currently published routine exam fee is $60.
10. What should I do if I find a stray dog in Springfield?
Do not bring a Springfield stray dog directly to Dakin. Contact Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control at 413-781-1484 ext. 1. Dakin explains that stray dogs must first complete their legal stray hold with the appropriate municipal Animal Control authority.
Animal Shelter Action Planner: Lost Pet, Found Pet, Adoption, Reclaim & Surrender Helper
Use this free tool to create a practical next-step plan before visiting or contacting an animal shelter, humane society, rescue, or animal control agency. It does not search a live shelter database, but it helps you prepare the right documents, questions, safety steps, and official-source searches.
Build a USA-wide shelter action plan
Select your situation and location. The tool will create a general action plan, search links, call questions, and a copyable checklist.
Lost pet recovery checklist
Check the steps you have completed. This helps you stay organized during the first urgent hours and days.
Found pet safety decision helper
Use this when you find a stray or loose pet and need a safe next step.
Adoption readiness checker
This helps adopters prepare before visiting a shelter or rescue. It is not a guarantee of approval.
Pet reclaim document checklist
If your pet may be at a shelter, prepare proof before visiting. Exact requirements and fees vary by agency.
Owner surrender preparation helper
Surrender rules vary. Many shelters require appointments, proof of residence, behavior/medical information, and may offer alternatives.
Animal control contact decision helper
Choose the situation and get a general USA-wide contact path. Local rules may differ.
Adoption and first-month budget planner
This is a planning guide, not a shelter fee database. Always confirm adoption fees and included services with the shelter.
Your generated shelter plan
Your action plan, search links, call script, checklist, or budget guide will appear here.
Start with the Planner tab
Select your state, city/county/ZIP, pet type, and goal. The tool will create a practical USA-wide shelter action plan.
Privacy note: this tool runs in your browser. It does not send your entries to animal-shelter.org.