Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society

With two adoption centers in Leverett and Springfield that rescue about 6,000 animals a year, Dakin has become the number-one authority on Valley animal welfare. Its pet food bank delivered over 20,000 pounds of food to help the pets of people in need in 2010, and its spay-neuter clinic serviced 14,000 animals during the last year and a half. Dakin also offers dog training classes on a sliding scale and a behavior help line. A foster program which saved approximately 800 kittens this year owes thanks to many of Dakin's 400-some volunteers, and this year a grant from PetSmart Charities will fund free spaying/neutering for cats from low-income families in select areas.