SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Dakin Humane Society has been awarded more than $12,000 in the "I'm animal friendly" license plate grant.  The grant awarded through the Massachusetts Animal Coalition will support low-cost spay and neuter services at the non-profit clinic that leads efforts to care for and protect homeless animals. The funds are raised through the sales of rescue groups and animal control agencies across Massachusetts.  Northampton cat tested positive for rabies Due to a house fire, Phoebe the German Shepard pictured above, and her owner Jonathan had to move into a temporary rental house. In need of assistance for spay surgery, Jonathan contacted Kane’s Krusade. The funds were secured through the Massachusetts Animal Coalition and Phoebe was able to receive surgery performed at Dakin as well as a distemper/parvovirus vaccine and microchip as well, provided by Kane’s Krusade. According to Meg Talbert, executive director at Dakin Humane Society, “Phoebe and Jonathan’s story is a perfect example of how – by working together – organizations are making a critical difference in our communities.  Our friends at Kane’s Krusade alerted us to the hardship Jonathan and Phoebe were experiencing, and the Massachusetts Animal Coalition’s generous funding from its ‘I’m Animal Friendly’ license plate program enabled us to help keep Phoebe healthy and by her person’s side as they navigated a difficult time.” Jonathan noted, “The recent events with our house fire added a lot of stress to our lives, but this program helped ease some of that stress by helping Phoebe. I am very grateful. I know Phoebe is grateful as well.” For more information about purchasing the “I’m Animal Friendly” license plate visit massanimalcoalition.org. Local News Headlines 38th annual “Hope for the Holidays” toy drive and motorcycle run held in Chicopee Berkshire County man allegedly shot and killed his sister Low-cost pet services thanks to Massachusetts “I’m animal friendly” license plate Massachusetts saw 1,200% increase in wildfires in October WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.