Karim is my beloved cat, who doesn’t like having his picture taken.

When I adopted him from the Springfield MSPCA Shelter in early June of 2000, his age was estimated at about six weeks, so I chose May 1st as his birthday, although of course we don’t know exactly when he was born.

Sadly, the MSPCA closed this facility earlier this year, a victim of the collapsing economy. According to the press release,

In 2007, the MSPCA closed its hospital in Springfield to curb losses. While the MSPCA’s Animal Care and Adoption Center maintained operations in a portion of the Springfield building, the MSPCA continued attempts to rent or sell the property, but without success. During this period, expenses for the MSPCA in Springfield were almost a million dollars more per year than income from services and contributions.

Fortunately, the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society has agreed to purchase the facility at 171 Union Street, and has targeted August 1st for the grand re-opening.

Formed in 2006 when the Dakin Animal Shelter in Leverett merged with the Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Greenfield, DPVHS is a private, non-profit organization serving people and animals in Franklin and Hampshire counties; the purchase of this property in Springfield will enable the organization to better serve clients in Hampden County as well.

Karin at Nine