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
July 1, 2025
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. 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 Shelter Behavior and Enrichment Manager. Fireworks can lead to anxiety and long-term behavioral issues in pets.
Good Samaritan and Social Media Post Helps Reunite Lost Cat with Family
July 1, 2025
ARL offers tips should a pet become lost or missing A lost cat who was missing for three weeks is back home safe and sound thanks to a Good Samaritan, social media, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) Mary, a 13-year-old cat, had never been outdoors, so when she snuck out of her Lowell home, her owner was instantly worried and turned to Facebook to report the missing animal. About two weeks later, a resident was driving along Chelmsford Road near Route 3 in Lowell, and spotted the cat. Concerned for her safety, the Good Samaritan pulled over,
Summer Pet Safety Goes Beyond Tick Bites
June 30, 2025
Tips to Protect Your Pet From Hidden Summer Dangers For pet owners, ticks and tick-borne illnesses naturally become a concern when the weather warms up. However, bites and stings from other insects can impact the comfort and overall health of pets. Ants, mosquitoes, spiders, bees, among others, can cause a myriad of impacts on our pets – from minor skin irritation to life-threatening allergic reactions. As with ticks, it’s important to check our pets when returning from the outdoors. If your pet has been bitten or stung, here are some non-emergent remedies to try at home: You want to remove
Keeping Pets Safe This July 4th
July 1, 2025
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. 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 Shelter Behavior and Enrichment Manager. Fireworks can lead to anxiety and long-term behavioral issues in pets.
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