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The dining room set: a rectangular, all glass table, 6' by 3' , with 2 arm chairs and 4 regular chairs. Modern. The other, used both outdoors and indoors, has a 48" round tempered glass top on a base that looks like white wicker but is much stronger. The 4 chairs also look like white wicker.

The asking price is $400 for the dining room set and $200 for the outdoor/indoor set. Since 100% of the proceeds will go to the Dakin Animal Shelter, please keep in mind that you'll not just be acquiring lovely furniture, but you'll be helping to save the lives of these innocent animals. Persons interested should contact Leslie at (413) 548-9898.

Sometimes, we have pets at the Dakin Animal Shelter who get overlooked.

Maybe they're shy wallflowers. Maybe they're adult cats, when everybody's cooing over the kittens. Maybe they're special pets in search of a special family, who will be understanding of their individual personalities.

Some have had very difficult lives before coming to the Dakin Animal Shelter. They may have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.

They aren't usually the kind of pet who runs up to visitors and demands to be taken home - they're more likely to be the quiet one, resting quietly. Waiting for their chance with a new family, a new life.

If you are the kind of person who, above all, wants to help those in need - take a look at our Lonely Hearts Club members. They may not be the pet that everyone else is looking for; but perhaps they will be the love of YOUR life.

Adopt a Lonely Heart, and get 50% off our regular adoption fee. And, just maybe, you'll find your new love.

On January 22, 2003 the Dakin Animal Shelter began implanting all Shelter pets with HomeAgain microchips. Microchips will allow our "graduates" who are lost to find their way back to their families throughout their lives. Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our microchipping program.

What is a microchip?
A microchip is a form of permanent identification. About the size of a grain of rice, it is injected under the skin over the pet's shoulder area.

Why is the Dakin Animal Shelter microchipping animals?
Many of the animals that come to the Shelter are stray. Without any identification, they are very unlikely to ever be reunited with their family. Nationally, only 2% of cats who are admitted to an animal shelter without ID tags are reunited with their family; odds for dogs are poor, too. Since animals frequently lose their collars/tags, a microchip ensures that you can be reunited with your pet should they become lost.

How does it work?
Each chip is encoded with a unique number and can only be read with a specially designed scanner. The scanner must be in contact with the pet to read the chip; unfortunately, the microchips do not work like LoJack - they cannot be used to track where your missing animal is. Your pet must be physically scanned to find the chip. When a chip is scanned in a stray pet, the finder calls HomeAgain's toll-free number which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The HomeAgain operator gives the finder your name and contact information.

Who has microchip scanners?
Animal shelters, veterinarians, and some animal control officers. The Dakin Animal Shelter, Pioneer Valley Humane Society, and MSPCA scan all incoming animals to check for microchips.

What if someone finds my pet, but doesn't bring him/her to a shelter?
That's why all pets should wear ID tags at all times. This includes indoor-only cats since if they get outside, they have no idea where they are or how to find home again (they usually make at least one "great escape", frequently because they have been frightened by a repair person or worker coming in & out of the home, party, etc.). Having YOUR phone number on your pet allows anyone who finds your pet, to call you right away, day or night, weekend or holiday. Your pet's HomeAgain microchip comes with a tag that includes the microchip number, as well as the HomeAgain phone number. This allows anyone who finds your pet to call HomeAgain and find you, without having to scan the pet to find the microchip. Consider getting an engraved ID tag that says "Reward if found" on the tag; sometimes people will see pets with tags but not know that the pet is lost. For indoor-only cats, and dogs who don't run loose (and no dog should), having this on your pet's tag is good insurance. It may save you a lot of trouble should your pet become lost.

Do microchips really work?
YES! In December, the Dakin Animal Shelter scanned a cat that was brought in as a stray. She had a microchip (implanted by the MSPCA) and was reunited with her person after being missing for over 5 months! There are frequent news stories about pets reunited with their families after absences of months or even years. One Pomeranian, missing from Florida, was found in Illinois. On average, for each 25 microchips implanted, one pet will be reunited with their family.

I found a stray pet - how can I find out if it has a microchip?
You can either: call your veterinarian's office and ask to have the pet scanned, or call the shelter and we will be glad to scan it for you.

I adopted a pet from the Dakin Animal Shelter before you were microchipping, how can I protect my Dakin Shelter graduate from loss?
For any animal adopted from the Dakin Animal Shelter, you may call the Shelter for a microchipping appointment. We will provide microchipping and registration for a fee of $20. For any pets NOT adopted from the Dakin Animal Shelter, please contact your veterinarian - most veterinarians are offering microchipping to their clients.