P.O. Box 850187
Braintree, MA 02185
781 843 5838

SSHS’s ANNUAL YARD SALE
was a SUCCESS!
Thanks to all who Helped!

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Early History of
South Shore Humane Society

     In 1974 the Patriot Ledger ran a picture of a beautiful German Shepherd on the front page.   We are not sure which town this was, but the Animal Control Officer was upset as he was supposed to put the dog to sleep as no one had claimed him.  Mary Toomey (a Weymouth resident) and a Weymouth High School teacher made a call to the Ledger concerning the situation.   Several other people called and there were letters published.   Mary asked the Ledger for the names and phone numbers of interested callers.  Mary called these people and they agreed to meet at the Tufts Library in Weymouth.  The names of the original participants were Norma Weiner of Randolph, Doris Campbell of Braintree, Betty Braniforte of Weymouth and a fourth whose name has been forgotten.     
     Although the German Shepard initiated the meeting, the main focus was on the situations animals faced. If consigned to a town pound they had a limited number of days to live and they were routinely put to sleep.  This was done without publishing the availability of these animals.  They agreed that something had to be done.  Meanwhile a reader of the Ledger had taken the German Shepherd whose picture had appeared in the paper.     
     The little group met again and each gave money to have the group incorporated. Norma Wieners’ husband agreed to have this done.  As soon as this was decided they elected Doris Campbell as President, Norma Weiner as Treasurer and Mary Toomey as Secretary.  As soon as the incorporation was accomplished they advertised for members, and gradually others joined.      
     The early meetings consisted of discussions about the towns’ Animal Control, state’s laws about time given for adoption, types of Animal Control Officers etc. Reports on conditions at town and city shelters were on the whole, poor.   Mary and Betty Brangiforte visited the Weymouth pound, and found it poor. They reported this to the Town Officials, and said they would help to improve it. Mary enlisted the aid of Weymouth High School students to work at the pound after school and walk the dogs.   Other members checked on surrounding towns.   
      Meetings at first were held at the home of Doris Campbell in Braintree.  The discussions began to focus on how to publicize the animals in pounds that were available  for adoption. Finally they enlisted the aid of the editor of the Ledger who agreed to print the column of available animals provided the Society give him a list according to towns and also a picture.  This brought excellent results.  Betty Brangiforte also organized a party on Christmas at the Weymouth Pound and many people attended. In addition they received  money from the town to install runs for the animals. Little by little the Society grew, and improvements were made.     
     Fortunately, Althea Griffin had joined and in 1979 and she agreed to become president. Her sister Muriel Carlson was also a big help and over the next 20 years they devoted themselves to the expansion of South Shore Humane Society.  
       Althea became recognized throughout the state as an advocate and champion for all animals.   In reality, she literally worked seven days a week to educate others, to address problems and to develop programs to alleviate the suffering of animals and to assist pet owners.

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