Our Mission
The Animal Rescue League of Boston is an unwavering champion for animals in need, committed to keeping them safe and healthy in homes.
Recognized for our innovative, award-winning programs that go beyond sheltering, we address the root causes of the issues facing animals and the people who love them.
By partnering with communities, we help animals heal and thrive, keep pets and people together, and protect animals from harm.
Because there is no government funding for this important work, animals must rely on people like you to get the care they need, when they need it most, 365 days a year.
ARL In Action
Keeping Pets Safe This July 4th
June 24, 2026
Why Fireworks and Furry Friends Don’t Mix Fireworks and July 4th go hand-in-hand; however, they can cause stress and anxiety in our pets. Fireworks are a beloved July 4th tradition, but they can cause significant stress and anxiety for pets. Many dogs already struggle during thunderstorms, and while both storms and fireworks are loud, there’s a key difference: Dogs can sense an approaching storm through changes in barometric pressure. Fireworks, on the other hand, are sudden, unpredictable, and startling. “When storms happen, the barometric pressure will tell them that it’s coming; not with fireworks—and it’s so detrimental,” says Laney Nee, ARL’s
When the Temperatures Rise It’s Too Hot for Spot®
June 22, 2026
As summer approaches, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is once again launching its annual Too Hot for Spot® safety campaign to remind pet owners about the potentially deadly dangers of leaving animals inside parked vehicles. During the warmer months, pets may be left in cars while their owners visit beaches, bike trails, grocery stores, banks, post offices, and other everyday destinations. It can be tempting to think, “I’ll only be gone for a few minutes,” but even a brief errand can take longer than expected, and a vehicle’s temperature can rise dangerously fast. Even when the outside temperature
Lobby Day 2026
June 10, 2026
On Wednesday, June 10, ARL joined with other animal protection organizations to host “Lobby Day for Animals” at the Massachusetts State House. We were joined by over 100 advocates who came to Beacon Hill to make their voices heard. Every session, ARL undertakes an ambitious legislative agenda. In March of this year, the Senate took up a number of these bills in one package, dubbed the “PETS Act.” This legislation would protect animals across Massachusetts by: banning the retail sale of pets, prohibiting homeowners and renters’ insurance from discriminating on the basis of dog breed, ending the use of animal
Keeping Pets Safe This July 4th
June 24, 2026
Why Fireworks and Furry Friends Don’t Mix Fireworks and July 4th go hand-in-hand; however, they can cause stress and anxiety in our pets. Fireworks are a beloved July 4th tradition, but they can cause significant stress and anxiety for pets. Many dogs already struggle during thunderstorms, and while both storms and fireworks are loud, there’s a key difference: Dogs can sense an approaching storm through changes in barometric pressure. Fireworks, on the other hand, are sudden, unpredictable, and startling. “When storms happen, the barometric pressure will tell them that it’s coming; not with fireworks—and it’s so detrimental,” says Laney Nee, ARL’s
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