Mighty Pawz held a grand opening celebration April 4 for the new facility at 2022 Main St., Northampton.

According to Melissa Mazgajewski, who will take on much of the administration work for Mighty Pawz, the facility houses both Mighty Pawz LLC, which provides boarding, doggy day care services and eventually grooming services, and Mighty Pawz Special Operations and Humane Society, which focuses on rehabilitating abused or neglected animals. They take on any stray animal cases in their coverage area including past cases of larger animals like cows and horses, work with the ASPCA and are available for animal-focused disaster response.

The event was intended to showcase the new facility, including four rooms dedicated to future boarding and doggy day care purposes, as well as facilitating interactions with dogs and cats up for adoption, reaching out to potential day care or boarding customers and volunteers and to introduce the organization to the surrounding community. Staff was available to answer questions or show visitors around.

The event featured free food and a table from iHeart Media, which played music, held concert ticket giveaways and a Plinko game for T-shirts and other merchandise.

This opening follows a difficult search for a location to house the doggy day care, boarding and Humane Society. The former location on Stefko Boulevard was forced to close after the building was found to be sinking. Then the facility moved to a location in Nazareth but faced permitting issues.

While giving a tour, owner Jasinto “Jay” Martinez answered questions for visitors interested in boarding, including addressing concerns for dogs who may need extra assistance or do not get along with other dogs. Martinez explained the facility has rooms where dogs can relax while boarded or during day care that would separate dogs by size for their safety and comfort. Additionally, they have a private boarding room with kennels for dogs that may not get along with others or if private boarding was requested.

He explained the dogs are tested for temperament with others before they are placed in groups. Furthermore, they have a larger room dedicated to play, so spaces for play and rest are different, and staff rotates each group, including Humane Society dogs, between the spaces to keep them apart while making sure everyone has the opportunity to play. Also, each room has a TV and other amenities to make the space feel as close to home as possible and keep the dogs entertained throughout their stay.

Martinez expressed concern for the safety and happiness of the dogs under his care, which includes procedures to keep the facility as clean as possible and keeps someone in the building 24 hours a day to care for them. Additionally, they can separate Humane Society animals from boarding and day care pups because they are in rehabilitation, and Mighty Pawz staff are dedicated to the safety of every animal in their care.

While the two organizations are housed in the same place and have some overlapping staff, they each have their own separate roles.

Mighty Pawz Special Operations and Humane Society has three sworn-in officers, led by chief and co-owner Robert Rozak, who are able to investigate, give citations or even seize animals in cases of abuse or neglect as well as other emergency interventions like rescues and transports.

The Humane Society also accepts donations and are always in need of items such as bleach-based wipes and sprays, Fabuloso, heavy-duty trash bags, wet and dry dog and cat food, cat litter, dog and cat toys and blankets. Mazgajewski expressed gratitude to local FedEx locations, who donate unclaimed, damaged or returned items like food and cat litter that cannot be resold.

The Humane Society is a no-kill facility with enough space to house up to 22 dogs and a maximum of 10 cats and relies on donations to assist in the care of these animals. They also work with fosters for animals ready for adoption.

At the time of the event, the Humane Society was at maximum capacity, and staff were hoping to find homes for as many animals as possible. Adoption fees were lowered for the day of the event.

The organization also accepts volunteers, who must be able to pass a background check and should have patience, care, understanding and a passion because of the nature and often tragic pasts of the animals.

Mighty Pawz Special Operations and Humane Society page has a link to donate funds they need. There are two trucks used for emergencies like rescues, and they use the funds donated to put gas in the vehicles.

For more information or to donate, go to mightypawzspecialops.net or angelink.com/fundraiser-public/a5c42ae2-21be-41cb-aee9-111a67f4019e.