Animal Care & Adoption Center Hours
Mondays & Holidays: Closed
Tuesdays: By appointment only from 1:00PM – 6:00PM
Wednesdays-Sundays: Open from 1:00PM – 6:00PM
Important Information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
COVID-19 has generated understandable concerns in our community. The health, safety, and well-being of the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) clients, donors, community partners, vendors, staff, volunteers – and all of the animals in our care – is our top priority
Please bookmark this page on your web browser,
and continue to check before each visit, for the most current updates.
(Last updated 1/27/2024)
Current Health and Safety Protocols:
ARL and BVC align with State and CDC guidelines, as follows:
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- All visitors are asked to follow the most current guidelines on social distancing.
- Clients who are feeling ill, should refrain from visiting our facilities or community programs at this time.
- Using the protocols we already have in place for animals, ARL has increased cleaning and disinfecting areas of our buildings visited by the public.
- Hand sanitizer will be made available for use for all visitors and staff.
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Animal Care & Adoption Centers' hours
Animal Care & Adoption Center Hours
Mondays & Holidays: Closed
Tuesdays: By appointment only from 1:00PM – 6:00PM
Wednesdays-Sundays: Open from 1:00PM – 6:00PM
Animal Admissions' Hours
The Admissions Office is open by appointment only
Every animal deserves a safe and healthy home, and when people are unable to provide one, the ARL can connect them with the resources that they need. If surrendering your pet seems like the right choice for you, please complete and submit this form.
Boston Veterinary Care
Please note, we will require all clients to confirm their pet’s appointment timeslot by responding to our confirmation email, phone call, or text message by 2:00pm on the business day before their visit. If we do not receive your confirmation response by 2:00pm on the business day prior to your visit, we will proceed to cancel your appointment so that we may offer the timeslot to another pet in need of medical care.
If you have a scheduled appointment and become ill, you may have an approved caretaker bring your pet in for treatment on your behalf. Please call us at (617) 226-5605 to share your caretaker’s information or to discuss any questions you may have.
View ARL’s full Client Health and Safety Guidelines.
BVC is excited to offer telemedicine to our clients in the convenience of their own home! To get started, call our front desk at (617) 226-5605 to see if your appointment can be scheduled via telemedicine. Once your appointment is confirmed, download the TeleVet – Remote Pet Care app and you are on your way for a virtual consult! Prior to your appointment, please set up an account with your payment information. At the conclusion of your telemedicine appointment, if our veterinarian determines that your pet needs to come into BVC for a physical exam, the telemedicine appointment fees will be applied as a credit to that visit.
Operations changes: Until further notice, Tuesday Cat’s-Only Nights are suspended in an effort to provide critical and urgent care to as many pets as possible. We appreciate your understanding!
Community Cats
Field Services has resumed its normal Community Cat operations.
Supply donations are now being accepted during hours of operation – and you can still send much needed animal supplies through wish lists for Boston, Dedham, and Brewster.
Dog Training
Click here to view our dog training course offerings.
Boston Courses: Will be held primarily indoors. We ask that clients bring their own dog training treats, water/water bowls, folding chair, and any other supplies you may need.
Dedham Courses: Will be held primarily indoors. We ask that clients bring their own dog training treats, water/water bowls, and any other supplies you may need.
In an effort to keep our clients and staff safe, ARL aligns with State and CDC guidelines, as follows:
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- Follow the most current guidelines on social distancing.
- Clients who are feeling ill, should refrain from attending class.
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Pet Behavior Helpline
Need pet behavior advice? If you have any training/behavior questions about your pet, call our FREE Pet Behavior Helpline at (617) 226-5666 or email us behaviorhelpline@arlboston.org.
Field Services
Field Services has resumed normal operations. To contact the Field Services Hotline, call (617) 426-9170, press option 1, then 1.
Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday)
Do you find yourself having to decide whether or not you can keep your pet due to emergency medical, financial, or personal reasons? If so, ARL may be able to help!
Funded by a generous $30,000 grant through PetSmart Charities®, Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday) is offering the following emergency services for qualified residents of Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan during the COVID-19 pandemic:
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Deliver pet food and other essential pet supplies to clients’ homes and partner-supported community housing
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To qualify for this program, you must be a client of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), Boston Senior Home Care (BSHC), or ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ and live in one of the following zip codes 02119, 02120, 02121, 02122, 0212, 02125 or 02126.
To request assistance, call the Keep Pets S.A.F.E. hotline at (857) 350-8730, Monday – Saturday, 9AM – 5PM, or visit www.arlboston.org/safe
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement has resumed normal operations.
Spay Waggin’
ARL’s Spay Waggin’ has resumed spay/neuter appointments.
Schedule a cat or dog appointment.
To schedule an appointment for a feral cat, please call 1-877-590-SPAY(7729).
Emails to the Spay Waggin’ and voicemails left on the Spay Waggin’ phone line
will be returned within 3-5 business days.
In an effort to keep our clients and staff safe, ARL aligns with State and CDC guidelines, as follows:
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- All visitors are asked to follow the most current guidelines on social distancing.
- Clients who become ill should call 1-877-590-SPAY(7729) to reschedule their appointment.
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Temporary Pet Housing Initiative
Are you a pet owner who was or may be forced to vacate your current living situation due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, ARL may be able to offer temporary housing for your pet!
The Massachusetts eviction moratorium expired on October 17. Any pet owner who may be experiencing housing instability or who may be at imminent risk of homelessness is potentially eligible for ARL’s Temporary Pet Housing Initiative.
To find out if your pet is eligible for temporary housing and for more information, call (617) 426-9170 and dial the extension of the ARL Admissions office nearest you: Boston x140; Dedham x404; Brewster x305.
Wellness Waggin’
Due to high demand, the Wellness Waggin’ will be appointment-only starting February 1, 2023; at this time, walk-ins will not be accepted. Schedule an appointment online.
In an effort to keep our clients and staff safe, ARL aligns with State and CDC guidelines, as follows:
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- All visitors are asked to follow the most current guidelines on social distancing.
- Clients who become ill should call the Wellness Waggin’ at (857) 350-8720 to reschedule their appointment.
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Stay connected with ARL from home
Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Threads, Instagram, LinkedIn, check out our blog, and sign up for ARL e-newsletters to receive breaking ARL updates and animal stories.
ARL is monitoring the changing circumstances very closely and are reviewing our protective measures and protocols on a daily basis to protect the health and safety of our community.
Thank you!
– The ARL Team
COVID-19 AND PETS
If you have pets, treat them as you would other human family members to protect them from a possible COVID-19 infection.
Because there is a risk that people with COVID-19 could spread the virus to animals, pet owners should limit their pet’s interaction with people outside their household.
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- Keep cats indoors when possible and do not let them roam freely outside.
- Walk dogs on a leash at least 6 feet away from others to protect them from interacting with people outside the household.
- Avoid public places where large numbers of people gather.
- Do not put a mask on pets. Masks could harm your pet.
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Protect pets if you are sick
If you are sick with COVID-19 (either suspected or confirmed by a test), you should avoid contact with your pets and other animals, just like you would with people.
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- When possible, have another member of your household care for your pets while you are sick.
- Avoid contact with your pet including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sharing food, and sleeping in the same bed.
- If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wear a mask and wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
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If you are sick with COVID-19 and your pet becomes sick, do not take your pet to the veterinary clinic yourself. Call your veterinarian and let them know you have been sick with COVID-19. Some veterinarians, like Boston Veterinary Care, offer telemedicine consultations or other plans for seeing sick pets. Your veterinarian can evaluate your pet and determine the next steps for your pet’s treatment and care.
ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF BOSTON AND BOSTON VETERINARY CARE – CLIENT HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDELINES
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, we require all ARL and BVC staff, volunteers, vendors, and clients to please follow the state and CDC guidelines for personal health and hygiene:
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- All visitors are asked to follow the most current guidelines on social distancing.
- Using the protocols we already have in place for animals, ARL has increased cleaning and disinfecting areas of our buildings visited by the public.
- Hand sanitizer will be made available for use for all visitors and staff.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; or shaking hands.
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Do not visit ARL facilities, community programs, or BVC if you are sick: Clients who are feeling ill, or unvaccinated clients who may have been in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19, should refrain from visiting ARL or BVC. Please call (617) 426-9170 and follow the prompts to reschedule your appointment for the appropriate program or service.
In case of a pet emergency: Clients who are feeling ill, or unvaccinated clients who may have been in close contact with someone infected with COVID-19, should call BVC at (617) 226-5605 so we can discuss an appropriate clinical plan. Upon speaking, we may ask you to find someone else to bring your pet in to receive care.