Snow was brought into TJO as a stray in October of 2024. He was severely emaciated and underwent testing from the TJO vet team, who discovered anemia and an infection that led to minor kidney damage. Snow began to quickly improve thanks to antibiotics and a re-feeding plan. 

Snow went into foster care, which quickly turned into a “foster-fail”! His foster family decided they wanted to be his retirement home and that he’d never have another worry as long as he lives. Since his formal adoption, we’ve seen Snow attend our Jack Rome Memorial 5K with his family and we can say with confidence that he’s now living his best life!

‍

Piglet (pictured) and Pooh (not pictured) came to TJO after concerned citizens reported the two dogs were suffering from severe neglect and starvation. Both dogs arrived emaciated, but while Pooh responded quickly to a careful re-feeding plan, Piglet was in critical condition. The extent of her starvation had caused serious internal complications, requiring emergency blood transfusions and intensive medical care.

Despite the odds against her, Piglet fought hard,and thanks to the dedication of the veterinary team and the support of this community, she made a full recovery. She later entered foster care and was eventually adopted into a loving home where she could finally experience the life every dog deserves.

When TJO shared Piglet’s story, the response was overwhelming. Supporters donated more than $3,000 toward her care,while the Foundation covered over $8,000 in lifesaving medical expenses to give her a second chance. Because of compassionate people who refused to look away, Piglet’s story became one of hope, healing, and new beginnings.

Sampson arrived at the TJO shelter in mid-January. It was immediately clear he had been through a lot in his short life. His back right paw was unrecognizable, having been eaten away by a large tumor. Sampson was left untreated for a very long time and was forced to walk on the stump of what used to be his paw, now just an open, festering wound. Upon arrival at TJO, Sampson was immediately taken to surgery by the amazing vet team where his entire leg was amputated. The tumor was sent off to pathology where it was confirmed to be cancerous. Further imaging showed that the cancer had thankfully not spread to other areas of his body yet, and by removing his entire leg, the vet team had successfully removed all the cancer.

After his amputation, Sampson spent days under close veterinary care, receiving antibiotics, pain management, and monitoring.He was then placed in an experienced foster home where he continued to receive further medical supervision and a quiet place to heal.Unfortunately, Sampson's story does not end there. His recovery was not a smooth one. Soon after his amputation surgery, it was clear a large patch of skin surrounding his incision sight had become necrotic. Back under the knife Sampson went to remove the necrotic tissue before it caused further life-threatening complications for him. The necrotic tissue was successfully removed, and Sampson was soon back in his foster home to recover again. Sadly, Sampson's run of bad luck continued shortly after. Due to the amount of skin that Sampson had lost during his two operations, there was a lot of tension on the incision sight. Due to this, the sutures began to come undone, resulting in a large open wound. He was whisked off to the vet fora third time to close the wound again. Everyone held their breath after, hoping Sampson's luck would finally turn around and he would have no further complications, and thankfully it did!!! Sampson finally began to heal in both body and spirit.

Despite all he had been through, Sampson proved to be the sweetest, most loving guy. He flourished in his foster home with all his human and animal friends. He was clearly thankful to be living a pain free life for the first time in a long while. When the time came for him to finally find a home of his own, he found the most perfect family with a lovely,retired couple. He is thoroughly enjoying the retirement life of relaxing on the couch with his family and not having a care in the world. 

When Raven was found by animal control, he was fighting for his life.Suffering from extreme emaciation, hypothermia, dangerously low blood sugar,and severe malnutrition, he was rushed to the emergency team at New England Veterinary Center & Cancer Care for critical care.

Over the next week, Raven received intensive treatment, including IV fluids, medications, a blood transfusion, and a carefully monitored refeeding plan to help him regain strength safely. Day by day, he began to recover.

While receiving care, Raven captured the heart of one of the veterinary technicians caring for him. She stepped forward to become his legal foster caregiver during his case, and once everything was finalized, she officially adopted him.

When the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center shared Raven's story, our community responded with incredible generosity. Through the Foundation, more than $1,700 was raised to support his medical care.

‍

Ron arrived at TJO with horrible injuries from another animal. The vet team assumed his injuries were caused by a cat that hurt him,as he is now FIV+ (when he was FIV- on arrival).

Since he had wounds of unknown origin, he was required to stay at TJO for a 4-month quarantine. During his stay, Ron received top-notch veterinary care, along with lots of TLC. He finished his quarantine, was quickly adopted, and started his new life in a wonderful home.

Your donations gave Ron a new chance at happiness. Funds donated to the Foundation are used for veterinary care, such as Ron’s, and to treat every animal that comes to TJO.

‍

Rhino came to TJO significantly underweight with a poorly healed rear leg injury. Due to the severity of the injury, the leg needed to be removed. Rhino does not let that stop him, though. He is doing great in foster and gained weight nicely... and clearly enjoys the sunshine, as you can see!

He WAS up for adoption, but turned out to be a FOSTER FAIL and will stay with his new family permanently!!

Know that your donations gave Rhino a new chance at happiness. Money donated to the Foundation is used for surgeries, such as Rhinos, and to treat every animal that comes to TJO.

‍

Draven arrived at the shelter as part of an alleged cruelty case.

What started as a simple dewclaw injury turned into an infection because it was left untreated for 11 months. Animal control went out with police to confiscate him and he went immediately to NEVCCC to begin treatment and pain management. The vet team tried strong courses of antibiotics and wound cleaning to see about saving the leg, but unfortunately the infection was too deep and not clearing up so he eventually had an amputation.

Over the course of (several) months, Draven was cared for by the TJO vet team.

After his amputation, he was adopted by his new family, including a new brother and is now living his best life. There are so many stories like Draven, but they don’t all have this kind of happy ending. Draven’s medical care cost over $6,000 and the Foundation covered all of it. The Foundation and TJO strive to get each animal their second chance, but can’t do it without supporters like you!

Introducing Ace.

Ace was surrendered by his family, who could no longer care for him. He quickly became a staff favorite due to his playful manner and easygoing temperament.

While playing, Ace was injured and tore the ligaments in his ankle. The Foundation stepped up without hesitation and funded his $7k surgery.

Over the last several weeks, Ace has been healing well. He went to a wonderful foster home, which turned into a foster-to-adopt home!

He has 1 more checkup and x ray, then his adoption will go through and he will be HOME. Ace has new siblings to play with and a lot of room to run when he’s able. This beautiful boy has an amazing life ahead thanks to the generosity of donors like you!

Kojak

Did you know that animals with Wounds of Unknown Origin (WUO) must be kept in rabies quarantine for 4 MONTHS??!!? For some municipal shelters, this means that it is not possible to save them all. Over 40 cats came in to TJO this past year needing to be quarantined, and every one of them received the critical care they needed.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, TJO has been able to use strategic programming that allows these animals, the ability to recover in quarantine and eventually be adopted into loving homes with a clean bill of health.

The cost of this care can be prohibitive for a city shelter—but your support helps us to give animals like Kojak a second chance.

Our friend Kojak, spent 4 months at camp TJO, recovering and getting the medical care and TLC he needed. Kojak is now in his forever home with a family who loves him unconditionally! No more outdoors for this guy.

‍

Buddha came to TJO after her former owner was caught beating her on camera. While in custody awaiting the outcome of her owner’s animal cruelty case, Buddha’s fate was not certain. The emotional damage inflicted on her by her abuser left her with a deep fear and distrust of people.

Buddha was at receiving TLC at the Shelter while waiting to learn her fate pending the outcome of her owner’s animal cruelty court case. Volunteers spent time with Buddha during normal hours and staff put in extra time after work and on their days off. They were working on building trust. She was extremely picky about food and treats, so as people learned what she liked, they built up a stash just for her. She was given a nice, comfy, donated bed that she used while spending her days with the staff in the office.

We also learned that the staff and volunteers at the shelter were going above and beyond to earn Buddha’s trust in the hopes that her abuser would be brought to justice, and she would have a shot at being adopted.

After several months of giving Buddha the compassion, care, and space that she needed to learn to trust people again, her story takes a positive turn. Her former owner pled guilty to cruelty to animals and surrendered her to the care of TJO. Buddha was placed into a foster to adopt home and has been officially adopted.

Buddha received incredible care during her stay at TJO. The dedicated staff & volunteers were determined to ensure Buddha had a positive outcome. Thanks to funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, all the animals in need that walk through the doors at TJO receive the critical care and TLC they need to ready them for adoption into loving homes.

In July, the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption received several calls from concerned citizens about a dog in need of urgent care. They immediately dispatched an Animal Control Officer who phoned ahead to advise TJO's medical staff of the dire condition of this little dog. His warning could not prepare them for what they saw when she arrived at the medical clinic. Upon examination Maggie was bone thin, with a giant mass over one eye, she was pale and in shock. Her coat was horrifically matted, saturated with urine and
covered with feces. But even worse, this poor dog had open wounds that were infested with maggots. The moment she arrived at TJO, her life began anew. Her painful matts were removed, the wounds treated, infestation removed, and her pain managed. 

With all she endured, she looked to her new human friends with loving eyes and a wagging tail. Her journey to health took time and resources. With funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, and the support of the community, Maggie made an amazing recovery. Maggie, now Sadie has been adopted into her furever home, and she is living the happy, healthy life that she so deserves.

‍

Emy was found in Springfield in January, very scared and unable to use her back legs. Not knowing where else to turn, a good Samaritan brought her to the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center.  Emy had clearly suffered some sort of unknown injury that left her back legs paralyzed. Thanks to funding from the Foundation for TJO Animals, Emy received x-rays and an MRI that revealed she was suffering from a spinal cord injury.

Erika McElwey from Change Your Range provided physical therapy which has allowed for remarkable progress - Emy even has great potential to walk again!  Emy, a very active girl, was also in need of a wheelchair to take some of the pressure off as she continues her road to recovery.  Once again, the Foundation for TJO Animals was ready to help and funded her wheels!

On April 4th, 2019, Emy received the greatest gift of all... a furever home!  Anthony and Laurie Bonavita saw her on TV and just knew that Emy had to be a part of their family.  She even has two chihuahua sisters!  When Emy settles into her new life, she will begin training to be a therapy dog, working with autistic children.  Emy adores people and we just know that this unstoppable and very outgoing girl will excel and bring big smiles to the faces of so many!

Thanks to you, this is another success story.

Meet Thunder. Thunder is a 3-year old white and buff Poodle mix who came to TJO nearly three months ago. Thunder has overcome obstacles that no animal should endure. Early in his young life, he suffered a major injury that left him partially paralyzed. Thunder’s sweet personality quickly won the hearts of the entire TJO staff and volunteers. Thunder had his back legs and tail removed for better mobility and then our friends at Eddie’s Wheels stepped in to customize a ride. Thunder took to his wheels instantly and there was not a dry eye as he zoomed around the shelter. Thunder does have special needs, and will need to be under the care of a veterinarian throughout his life. He is full of love, determination, spunk, and a spirit that will melt your heart.