BOSTON, July 6, 2026 – The MSPCA-Angell has partnered with Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control & Adoption Center (TJO) to establish an in-house veterinary program and stabilize shelter operations, the organizations announced today.
The launch of the program comes as the Massachusetts Shelter Support (MASS) coalition approaches its two-year anniversary.
“Two years ago, we formed the MASS coalition with other animal welfare organizations across the state, including TJO, to help more animals in need by coming together and sharing resources to maximize our impact,” explained Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, Mike Keiley. “We agreed that the more we collaborate, the more likely we are to develop lasting change for the animals and their families in our communities.”
“One of the biggest obstacles facing animal shelters is access to veterinary care because of the ripple effect it can have throughout the system,” Keiley noted. “Animals without this access may not be ready for adoption as quickly, resulting in longer stays and contributing to ongoing dog capacity pressures.”
“This is especially challenging for organizations that oversee a vast service area, such as TJO, which provides animal care and control services to more than 250,000 residents throughout Western Massachusetts.”
“TJO has struggled to recruit and retain veterinary staff for several years and has often had to operate with limited veterinary capacity, forcing them to use valuable staff time and resources to transport animals off-site for care,” said Keiley. “In working with their team, we recognized this was a problem we were uniquely positioned to help them address, having developed a strong in-house veterinary program of our own.”
The MSPCA-Angell is assisting TJO by building upon existing protocols, recruiting on-site veterinary staff, and providing ongoing oversight for an in-house clinic.
“Since stepping into this role, I’ve been balancing the day-to-day demands of our adoption center, supporting our animal control officers, and laying the foundation for an in-house veterinary program,” explained TJO’s Executive Director, Heather Cahillane. “To ensure each part of the organization is running efficiently and at its fullest potential, it’s important to have the right support in place.”
“Having the MSPCA-Angell oversee the veterinary clinic allows the TJO team to focus on their core job responsibilities and increases our capacity to serve the people and animals who rely on us.”
This program is partially funded by The Foundation for TJO Animals, which offers financial assistance and veterinary care grants for animals at TJO to receive the medical treatment they need.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support and financial backing of The Foundation for TJO Animals and its commitment to expanding programs that improve outcomes for people and their pets,” Cahillane said. “This partnership is helping build a stronger, more sustainable future for TJO and the community we serve.”
The partnership follows a similar initiative the MSPCA-Angell implemented with Worcester Animal Rescue League (WARL) just over a year ago to strengthen their shelter operations.
“We’ve made it a priority to partner with shelters in communities where the need is greatest,” Keiley explained. “By working alongside organizations in Worcester and Springfield—two of the largest communities in Massachusetts—we’re able to expand our impact for animals across the state.”
“We’re all working toward the same goal, and by coming together and building on each other’s strengths, we can overcome barriers affecting the animal welfare community and make a difference for even more animals.”
