ARL Sees Steady Demand for Temporary Pet Housing Initiative
Temporary Pet Housing Initiative available for pet owners facing housing instability
The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Temporary Pet Housing Initiative was launched in October 2020 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and with more pet owners facing housing instability, ARL is now seeing an increased demand for the service.
Fuzzy is just one of 63 animals ARL has taken in under the Temporary Pet Housing Initiative.
ARL took in just 8 animals during the first year of initiative, however, in year two, ranging from March 1, 2021-March 1, 2022, ARL provided temporary housing for 46 animals, and in the past two months alone, 9 animals have been placed into temporary housing.
Since its inception, the initiative has provided temporary shelter for 63 animals, totaling nearly 2,200 days in foster care!
ARL is the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts offering this service, and the Temporary Pet Housing Initiative is potentially available for any pet owner in Massachusetts experiencing housing instability, or is at imminent risk of homelessness due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
At the core of its mission, ARL believes in keeping people and pets together, and is offering temporary shelter for animals whose owners may be experiencing housing instability or may be at imminent risk of homelessness.
This is an essential service for individuals facing eviction due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The first step in the process is to contact ARL’s Admissions Office depending on location: Boston (617) 426-9170 x140; Dedham (617) 426-9170 x404; Brewster (617) 426-9170 x305.
Animal admissions is being coordinated through ARL’s animal care and adoption center management staff as space allows.
A prescreening process determines eligibility, and once accepted, the client is responsible for transporting the animal to the specified location.
The animal is held at the animal care and adoption facility temporarily to receive a veterinary exam and behavioral evaluation, and is then placed into a foster home.
Animals have a maximum 120-day stay within ARL’s foster care network, and pet owners must agree to parameters of conditional surrender to ARL including maintaining bi-weekly check-ins throughout the pet’s placement period.