History
1995
MSPCA law-enforcement officer for 26 years Bill Phinney dies of AIDS-related complications. During his illness, he had to surrender some of his pets, which broke the hearts of everyone who loved him and knew how committed he was to all animals.
MSPCA law-enforcement officer for 26 years Bill Phinney dies of AIDS-related complications. During his illness, he had to surrender some of his pets, which broke the hearts of everyone who loved him and knew how committed he was to all animals.
1996
Inspired by the great legacy of Bill Phinney, the MSPCA launches Phinney’s Friends program to help people in the Boston area (Route I-95 belt) living with HIV and AIDS keep their pets, providing ongoing services to a group of registered individuals, supplying them with both regular vet checks and pet supplies.
Inspired by the great legacy of Bill Phinney, the MSPCA launches Phinney’s Friends program to help people in the Boston area (Route I-95 belt) living with HIV and AIDS keep their pets, providing ongoing services to a group of registered individuals, supplying them with both regular vet checks and pet supplies.
2007
Phinney’s Friends program expands its help to elderly people in the Boston area, registering additional individuals to receive regular vet checks and supplies.
Phinney’s Friends program expands its help to elderly people in the Boston area, registering additional individuals to receive regular vet checks and supplies.
2009
The MSPCA shuts down Phinney’s Friends program, but a group of volunteers wants to keep the mission and good work going, and start Phinney’s Friends, Inc. The now independent nonprofit welcomes all former Phinney’s/MSPCA registered individuals and starts serving them with ongoing pet care and pet supplies, just like the previous program did. The new Phinney’s Friends, however, expands the mission to help anyone low-income in the Boston area keep their pets, no matter what hardship they are going through — be it an illness, loss of job or other financial crisis.
Beth Macaluso is appointed as President of the Board.
Phinney's partners with Pooch Palace, a dog daycare facility in Watertown MA which had been previously supporting Phinney's as an MSPCA program. Pooch Palace provided over $700,000 in donations to Phinney's cause until it closed its doors in 2021.
The MSPCA shuts down Phinney’s Friends program, but a group of volunteers wants to keep the mission and good work going, and start Phinney’s Friends, Inc. The now independent nonprofit welcomes all former Phinney’s/MSPCA registered individuals and starts serving them with ongoing pet care and pet supplies, just like the previous program did. The new Phinney’s Friends, however, expands the mission to help anyone low-income in the Boston area keep their pets, no matter what hardship they are going through — be it an illness, loss of job or other financial crisis.
Beth Macaluso is appointed as President of the Board.
Phinney's partners with Pooch Palace, a dog daycare facility in Watertown MA which had been previously supporting Phinney's as an MSPCA program. Pooch Palace provided over $700,000 in donations to Phinney's cause until it closed its doors in 2021.
2011
Phinney’s launches a pet pantry in Cambridge MA, supported by a network of donation bins located in pet business establishments. The project is powered by volunteers who transport, sort and distribute donated pet supplies to low-income families in need, and send items Phinney's cannot use to partnering animal organizations.
Phinney’s launches a pet pantry in Cambridge MA, supported by a network of donation bins located in pet business establishments. The project is powered by volunteers who transport, sort and distribute donated pet supplies to low-income families in need, and send items Phinney's cannot use to partnering animal organizations.
2012
Director and longtime volunteer Daniela Caride is appointed as President of the Board.
Phinney’s and its pantry move from Boston to Lincoln MA.
Director and longtime volunteer Daniela Caride is appointed as President of the Board.
Phinney’s and its pantry move from Boston to Lincoln MA.
2013
Phinney’s launches its Pet Boost Program to support AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts in Boston with pet supplies. We deliver to the nonprofit pet items from the Lincoln MA pantry and we purchase any essential pet supplies not available as a donation.
We launch the Phinney’s Ride — a biennial bike ride that used to cover 150 miles from Stow MA to Fitzwilliam NH in two days to raise funds to help low-income people with HIV or AIDS keep their pets. Since 2021, the Ride covers 80 miles total in two days, from Bristol to Little Compton RI.
Phinney's launches its Guess the Number of Toys Contest Program. The contest consists of the general public guessing the number of toys in a container in exchange for a donation. Baskets are placed for roughly 2 months at partnering veterinary clinics. The baskets are made of fun, non-essential pet items donated to Phinney's. The person who guesses the closest number of toys inside the jar gets the basket. The program ended in 2016.
Phinney’s launches its Pet Boost Program to support AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts in Boston with pet supplies. We deliver to the nonprofit pet items from the Lincoln MA pantry and we purchase any essential pet supplies not available as a donation.
We launch the Phinney’s Ride — a biennial bike ride that used to cover 150 miles from Stow MA to Fitzwilliam NH in two days to raise funds to help low-income people with HIV or AIDS keep their pets. Since 2021, the Ride covers 80 miles total in two days, from Bristol to Little Compton RI.
Phinney's launches its Guess the Number of Toys Contest Program. The contest consists of the general public guessing the number of toys in a container in exchange for a donation. Baskets are placed for roughly 2 months at partnering veterinary clinics. The baskets are made of fun, non-essential pet items donated to Phinney's. The person who guesses the closest number of toys inside the jar gets the basket. The program ended in 2016.
2014
Phinney's launches its Dog Wash! Volunteers washed dogs at designated pet stores in exchange for a donation. The events were discontinued in 2015.
Phinney's launches its Dog Wash! Volunteers washed dogs at designated pet stores in exchange for a donation. The events were discontinued in 2015.
2015
Phinney’s expands its coverage to statewide, offering services to low-income families residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
We also launch the Pet Godparents Program, which allows people to become godparents to pets Phinney's helps regularly. Godparents become the lifeline for the pet they sponsor, providing them with financial resources for veterinary treatments and much needed supplies.
Phinney's starts Easter Palooza events, to offer pictures of pets with the Easter Bunny (with backdrop and all!) at Pet Source locations during the holiday. The events were discontinued in 2017.
We launch Photos with Santa events at Pet Source stores (currently Loyal Companion). Santa takes pictures with dogs, cats and any other pet customers bring, in exchange for a donation. Phinney's emails the pictures to the customers. The events ended in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phinney’s expands its coverage to statewide, offering services to low-income families residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
We also launch the Pet Godparents Program, which allows people to become godparents to pets Phinney's helps regularly. Godparents become the lifeline for the pet they sponsor, providing them with financial resources for veterinary treatments and much needed supplies.
Phinney's starts Easter Palooza events, to offer pictures of pets with the Easter Bunny (with backdrop and all!) at Pet Source locations during the holiday. The events were discontinued in 2017.
We launch Photos with Santa events at Pet Source stores (currently Loyal Companion). Santa takes pictures with dogs, cats and any other pet customers bring, in exchange for a donation. Phinney's emails the pictures to the customers. The events ended in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2016
Phinney’s expands its Pet Boost Program. On top of helping AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts in Boston, we also extend a helping hand to eligible low-income families located in Massachusetts who need regular help with pet supplies, pet medications or veterinary services.
We also launch Liam’s Fund — a fund to financially support low-income families in Massachusetts who are struggling to cover the expenses of their diabetic dogs. The fund is established with resources from The Deirdre Dickinson Memorial Fund, in honor of her nephew, Liam.
Phinney’s celebrates its 20th anniversary by launching its annual Holiday Festival, which takes place at the historic (and pet-friendly) mansion Pierce House, in Lincoln MA. It offers opportunities for Holiday shopping as well as various fun activities for people and their pets.
We launch our Donation Box Program, which places donation boxes at partnering veterinary clinics and pet stores. The boxes have been upgraded to carry information about the organization and slots for flyers!
Phinney's launches Paws in Bloom events. Volunteer artists paint flowers out of paw prints at the event. People bring their dogs to a designated pet store, their paws are dipped in pet-safe paint, and the artists do their magic. The events were discontinued in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phinney’s expands its Pet Boost Program. On top of helping AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts in Boston, we also extend a helping hand to eligible low-income families located in Massachusetts who need regular help with pet supplies, pet medications or veterinary services.
We also launch Liam’s Fund — a fund to financially support low-income families in Massachusetts who are struggling to cover the expenses of their diabetic dogs. The fund is established with resources from The Deirdre Dickinson Memorial Fund, in honor of her nephew, Liam.
Phinney’s celebrates its 20th anniversary by launching its annual Holiday Festival, which takes place at the historic (and pet-friendly) mansion Pierce House, in Lincoln MA. It offers opportunities for Holiday shopping as well as various fun activities for people and their pets.
We launch our Donation Box Program, which places donation boxes at partnering veterinary clinics and pet stores. The boxes have been upgraded to carry information about the organization and slots for flyers!
Phinney's launches Paws in Bloom events. Volunteer artists paint flowers out of paw prints at the event. People bring their dogs to a designated pet store, their paws are dipped in pet-safe paint, and the artists do their magic. The events were discontinued in 2019 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2017
Phinney’s doubles its pantry operation by launching a second pantry, in partnership with Cotting School. The new pantry, located in Lexington MA, receives donations collected by volunteers, and sorts, stores and catalogs pet food items. The school students learn how to sort items necessary to low-income people in need and reroute items Phinney's couldn't use to partnering animal organizations. The pantry in Lincoln is then repurposed to sorting, storing and distributing non-food items, such as pet beds, jackets, crates and toys.
Phinney’s starts Pet Masks Program, to help Massachusetts towns obtain pet oxygen masks for their fire departments. The first town to obtain pet oxygen mask kits is Lincoln MA.
Phinney’s doubles its pantry operation by launching a second pantry, in partnership with Cotting School. The new pantry, located in Lexington MA, receives donations collected by volunteers, and sorts, stores and catalogs pet food items. The school students learn how to sort items necessary to low-income people in need and reroute items Phinney's couldn't use to partnering animal organizations. The pantry in Lincoln is then repurposed to sorting, storing and distributing non-food items, such as pet beds, jackets, crates and toys.
Phinney’s starts Pet Masks Program, to help Massachusetts towns obtain pet oxygen masks for their fire departments. The first town to obtain pet oxygen mask kits is Lincoln MA.
2020
Phinney’s Friends decides to refer to itself as "Phinney's".
Phinney's establishes The Adam Rosen Fund in honor of our late volunteer and friend Adam Rosen, whom we loved very much. Adam, a huge cat lover, offered us Apple- and Mac-related tech support as well as generous donations throughout the years. His fund, therefore, started with donations from Adam's friends and family members, is dedicated to helping cats who are going through life-threatening conditions that require paying a substantial vet bill. The higher the bill, the harder it is for us to cover it.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phinney's launches the Coronavirus Pet Emergency Fund to support pet parents financially affected by the pandemic, and the Fenway Health Emergency Fund, to support low-income people registered at Fenway Health with pet supplies shipped directly to their homes. The funds ran for two years.
To make sure we would not expose any volunteers and low-income pet parents to a virus with unknown effects, Phinney's closes all its pantries and transfers its pet supplies operations to online, shipping needed items directly to low-income pet owners' homes via online stores.
Phinney’s Friends decides to refer to itself as "Phinney's".
Phinney's establishes The Adam Rosen Fund in honor of our late volunteer and friend Adam Rosen, whom we loved very much. Adam, a huge cat lover, offered us Apple- and Mac-related tech support as well as generous donations throughout the years. His fund, therefore, started with donations from Adam's friends and family members, is dedicated to helping cats who are going through life-threatening conditions that require paying a substantial vet bill. The higher the bill, the harder it is for us to cover it.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Phinney's launches the Coronavirus Pet Emergency Fund to support pet parents financially affected by the pandemic, and the Fenway Health Emergency Fund, to support low-income people registered at Fenway Health with pet supplies shipped directly to their homes. The funds ran for two years.
To make sure we would not expose any volunteers and low-income pet parents to a virus with unknown effects, Phinney's closes all its pantries and transfers its pet supplies operations to online, shipping needed items directly to low-income pet owners' homes via online stores.
2021
Phinney’s celebrates its 25th anniversary with a lot of new programs and projects.
We launch our new logo!
Phinney's launches the Phinney's Ride Fund, inspired by the longtime faithful group of volunteers who organize and ride the biennial bike ride to raise funds for low-income people living with HIV and AIDS.
We launch our Legacy Program, so people can make planned-giving gifts including bequests. Phinney’s receives a legacy donation of over $30,000 from one of our first Forever Friends.
In order to offer activities safe for anyone isolating from the pandemic, Phinney’s launches a series of online events -- Bestow on a Beloved Valentine's Day, Meowmaste: Do Yoga with Cats!, and Kibbles & Nibbles Online Cooking Class.
We also launch Phinney's Angels Tree, to offer give donors a fun (and COVID-19 friendly) way to support our cause.
Phinney's launches Our Memories webpage, where we curate photo stories chronicling the meaningful work Phinney’s volunteers do and the positive effects caring donations have on the people and pets who need our services.
With the purpose of expanding our educational outreach, Phinney's launches Care Corner webpage to provide pet parents with resources to help them take better care of their beloved pets and themselves.
Phinney's also launches Friends of Tui Fund for Older Cats to help elderly kitties (12 and over) with whatever needs they might have. The Fund honors Tui the Cat, volunteer Ken Levine's cat of his life.
We launch Phinney's Honor Wall webpage to celebrate the people and pets who inspired others to make a donation. Be it a best friend's birthday, a wedding anniversary, or the passing of a dear family member or friend, anyone can honor a loved one with a donation to Phinney's. We send acknowledgment notes and celebrate them with a virtual plaque with text and picture.
Phinney’s celebrates its 25th anniversary with a lot of new programs and projects.
We launch our new logo!
Phinney's launches the Phinney's Ride Fund, inspired by the longtime faithful group of volunteers who organize and ride the biennial bike ride to raise funds for low-income people living with HIV and AIDS.
We launch our Legacy Program, so people can make planned-giving gifts including bequests. Phinney’s receives a legacy donation of over $30,000 from one of our first Forever Friends.
In order to offer activities safe for anyone isolating from the pandemic, Phinney’s launches a series of online events -- Bestow on a Beloved Valentine's Day, Meowmaste: Do Yoga with Cats!, and Kibbles & Nibbles Online Cooking Class.
We also launch Phinney's Angels Tree, to offer give donors a fun (and COVID-19 friendly) way to support our cause.
Phinney's launches Our Memories webpage, where we curate photo stories chronicling the meaningful work Phinney’s volunteers do and the positive effects caring donations have on the people and pets who need our services.
With the purpose of expanding our educational outreach, Phinney's launches Care Corner webpage to provide pet parents with resources to help them take better care of their beloved pets and themselves.
Phinney's also launches Friends of Tui Fund for Older Cats to help elderly kitties (12 and over) with whatever needs they might have. The Fund honors Tui the Cat, volunteer Ken Levine's cat of his life.
We launch Phinney's Honor Wall webpage to celebrate the people and pets who inspired others to make a donation. Be it a best friend's birthday, a wedding anniversary, or the passing of a dear family member or friend, anyone can honor a loved one with a donation to Phinney's. We send acknowledgment notes and celebrate them with a virtual plaque with text and picture.
2022
Morgan Ritz, former president of The Cat Connection, is appointed as President of the Board. Daniela Caride, outgoing President of the Board, assumes the role of Board Advisor.
Morgan Ritz, former president of The Cat Connection, is appointed as President of the Board. Daniela Caride, outgoing President of the Board, assumes the role of Board Advisor.
