Former New England Patriots quarterback adopts two dogs after huge surrender from Massachusetts property

MERRIMAC, Mass. (WWLP) – After 60 Boxer dogs were surrendered by the owner in Merrimac, former New England Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer adopted a mom and her puppy this week.

In June, the dogs were found at a home in Merrimac and were voluntarily given to the MSPCA after an animal welfare investigation of reports of animal hoarding and overcrowding. The MSPCA says this was the largest local dog surrender in nearly a decade.

The Hoyer family, who describe themselves as “Boxer people”, visited the MSPCA’s Boston Adoption Center shortly after the surrender. The MSPCA said the family donated to support the dogs and decided to adopt a puppy.

“The reason we support MSPCA is that they do such a great job advocating for animals and being able to do that [foster an animal] for them if you’re able to is such a wonderful thing,” Brian Hoyer said.

Due to the young age of the puppy, it could not be officially adopted at that time. However, the family was so excited about their new addition, that they couldn’t wait and decided to foster the puppy’s mother.

“[MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection Mike Keiley] asked us if we would be interested in fostering the mom while she was raising the puppy,” Hoyer recalled. “We said sure, if we’re going to adopt a puppy anyway, we might as well have her now and give her mom a good life.”

After taking home the two dogs, the family knew they would keep the mother and puppy together permanently, “Seeing the situation [the mother] came from and seeing her grow each and every day, seeing her open up to become the dog she was meant to be is pretty awesome and gratifying,” Hoyer said.

Photos: Meet Coco & Chanel

The adoptions of the mom, now named Coco, and the puppy, now named Chanel, were finalized on August 20th. They joined the Hoyer family along with two male Boxers.

MSPCA Fee-Waived Adoption Event

Through August 25th MSPCA adoption fees are waived for dogs more than one year old statewide, including at Dakin Humane Society, Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center, and Berkshire Humane Society.

“Several of the Boxers from the same surrender are still in foster and waiting to find their forever homes,” Keiley added. “They’re available to adopt fee-free during our adoptathon this week, as are dozens of other really great dogs!”

Brian Hoyer played in the NFL for a total of 15 seasons, eight of them with the Patriots before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023.

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