Each week The Republican and MassLive showcase dogs and cats available for adoption at shelters at rescue organizations in Western Massachusetts.

With the participation of the shelters listed below, many animals should be able to find a permanent home.

In addition, we'll include on occasion pet news and animal videos in this weekly feature.

The following is a news update:

Dakin Humane Society, with sites in Springfield and Leverett, will offer $20 spay and neutering surgeries throughout June, thanks to a grant from PetSmart Charities.

The offer is for puppies and kittens less than 6 months old.

Kittens as young as 4 months old and puppies as young as 5 months old are old enough to get pregnant and have their first litters just two months later, according to Dakin officials.

"These precious babies shouldn't be parents at 5 and 6 months old," said Leslie Harris, executive director at Dakin.

The first 300 people who sign up and pre-pay for the surgery will be eligible for the discounted surgeries. Those who wish to schedule a procedure should call (413) 781-4019, or visit the Springfield site at 171 Union St.

PetSmart Charities' "Precious, Not Parents" campaign provides $593,000 to spay and neuter clinics across the country for 12,000 puppies and kittens.

The following is a news update:

WESTFIELD — Westfield Homeless Cat Project, a no-kill cat and kitten rescue, will hold a cat food drive on June 27 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Wal-Mart, 141 Springfield St.

Canned cat food is needed to feed hungry kittens, pregnant moms, and other homeless adult cats awaiting adoption. Donations can be dropped off other times at 1124 East Mountain Road. For further information, email: denisesinico@hotmail.com.

LOCAL SHELTERS:

Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society



Address: 163 Montague Road, Leverett

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 548-9898

Website: www.dpvhs.org

Address: 171 Union St., Springfield

Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, noon-5:30 p.m.; Thursday, noon-7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 781-4000

Website: www.dpvhs.org

Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

Address: 627 Cottage St., Springfield

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Saturday, noon-4 p.m.; Thursday, noon-7 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 781-1484

Website: tjoconnoradoptioncenter.com

Westfield Homeless Cat Project

Address: 1124 East Mountain Road

Hours: Adoption clinics, Thursday, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Website: http://www.whcp.petfinder.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westfieldhomelesscatprojectadoptions

Westfield Regional Animal Shelter

Address: 178 Apremont Way

Hours: Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 564-3129

Website: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/ma70.html

Franklin County Sheriff's Office Regional Dog Shelter and Adoption Center

Address: 10 Sandy Lane, Turners Falls

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Telephone: (413) 676-9182

Website: http://fcrdogkennel.org/contact.html

