Massachusetts Chapter

 While learning about the rescue world, Dana Darby and Lee Harrington were initially introduced to rescue organizations based in New England. These rescues focused on finding homes for the greatly overpopulated Southern dogs. Dana and Lee had worked for years with Lois Bourget, who had been the co-founder of a rescue in Massachusetts. She had been responsible for finding so many homes for the orphaned dogs in Lee and Dana’s community. After a brief break from rescue, Lois Bourget joined Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue’s Board of Directors as the Director of Northern Affairs. With Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue’s “Commitment for Life” policy, POH Board of Directors felt it would be crucial for the rescue to register as an animal importer with the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture. To be available for the life of every dog would require that Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue be responsible for every adoption. On February 17, 2017, Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue was approved to deal in animals originating from within the Commonwealth, as well as, animals imported into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Rarely extended to Southern rescues, this privilege is taken very seriously by everyone at POH. In August 2018, Pound on the Hill – Massachusetts Chapter was realized. The Northern “chapter” works under the policies of Pound on the Hill Animal Rescue and its Board of Directors. The additional moniker of Massachusetts Chapter is solely for more efficient communication with our Northern adopters. The Northern extension is driven by POH Director Lois Bourget, Jennifer Barsalou, and Denise Levesque; all who come from years of volunteering in rescue and have extensive expertise in matching canine with guardian. Every dog and potential adopter are evaluated to assure the human’s lifestyle will be a good match for the canine’s temperament and physical needs.