While one door closed for good last month--another one is opening for the area's animals. Come August 1st, the former MSPCA building on Union Street will be the home of the newly expanded Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society.

In 2006, the Pioneer Valley Humane Society in Greenfield merged with the Dakin Animal shelter in Leverett. Since then, officials have been looking for a larger facility. But it's been an uphill battle finding the perfect spot, at least until now.

"We've been saving our money and looking for land, so when the MSPCA announced the closure we thought we should re-evaluate our options and think about helping the animals in Hamdpen County, " says Dakin's Executive Director, Leslie Harris.

The MSPCA built the facility in 1998 at a price tag of 11 million dollars. Officials were hoping to sell it for four million, but after coming to an agreement Dakin purchased the land for 1-point-2 million. They've been saving up for the big move and are now ready to make it happen.

Dakin will continue to maintain its adoption center out of Leverett, and move its Greenfield rescue center to Springfield. The newly expanded facility will offer more outreach and educational programs as they continue to end homelessness among the area's animals.