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Bark if You Love October

ARL Shares Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Adopt an Adult Dog

If you’ve considered adding a canine companion to your family, there’s no better time than NOW to ADOPT! October is National Adopt-a-Dog Month and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has many adult dogs looking for their forever homes!

Search adoptable dogs

Many potential adopters visit animal shelters looking for a puppy. While puppies are absolutely adorable, they are also very energetic and their personalities, likes, and dislikes are still emerging.

That’s why adopting an adult dog can be a great decision for you and your family! (Hint: At ARL Animal Care & Adoption Centers, adult dogs are 1 year and older.)

When you come into ARL’s shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham, our knowledgeable adoption agents will ask you about what you’re looking for in a dog in terms of energy level, personality, and compatibility with children and other pets.

It won’t take long for you to realize that one of the biggest perks of adopting an adult dog is that what you see, is what you get.

Adult dogs have passed their critical development stages, so you’ll get a good idea of whether or not their personality and energy level is the right fit for your home. They may also be an easier introduction info the family, as puppies can be fragile and act quite timid in an already active household.

Not yet convinced? The ARL’s shares top 5 reasons why you should adopt an adult dog this October:

  1. You’ll save a life. When you adopt, you actually save two lives: the life of the dog that you adopted, and the life of the dog that is going to take its place at the shelter. Your new pet will thank you again and again for being their hero with slobbery kisses!
  2. You’ll meet your perfect canine companion. At the ARL, each dog is thoroughly evaluated to assess their medical history and overall temperament. They are then given a customized behavioral and enrichment plan to prepare them for life in their future home. All this information will be presented to you at the time of the potential adoption so that you and your family members can decide if the dog you’re interested in is the right match for you.
  3. You’ll find variety. If you have your mind set on a dog of a particular breed or temperament, chances are that one of ARL’s shelters will  have what you’re looking for! Various purebreds and mixed breeds come into our shelter at any given time, so we always have new dogs available! Don’t see a canine that catches your eye? Keep checking our list of current adoptables, as it changes every day!
  4. You’ll save money. Every adoptable dog at the ARL receives the following included in their adoption fee: health screening and veterinary examination; spay or neuter services; vaccinations; heartworm test and preventative; flea and tick treatment; intestinal parasite scan; microchip identification and registration; tag and collar.
  5. You’ll be doing something especially kind for animals in need. Adult dogs usually stay at our shelters much longer than puppies do. That’s why shelters usually charge a smaller adoption fee for adult dogs- to incentivize people to adopt them!

 

October is National Adopt-a-Dog Month

The ARL is celebrating National Adopt-a-Dog Month and you should too

The month of October is dedicated to honoring shelter dogs and helping the approximately 3.9 million dogs* who enter animal shelters each year find loving homes. If you’re considering adding a dog to your family, there’s no better time than National Adopt-a-Dog Month and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is a paw-some place to find your perfect canine match. 

When you adopt, you give an animal a chance at a better life. All adoptable dogs at the ARL receive: 

    • Spay or neuter services (excluding some small animals)
    • Health screening and veterinary examination
    • Behavior evaluations & enrichment
    • Vaccinations
    • Microchip identification and registration
    • Heartworm test and preventative medication for dogs
    • Feline Leukemia test for cats
    • Flea, tick, and mite treatment
    • Deworming for intestinal parasites
    • Tag, collar, and leash
    • A starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet food for cats and dogs
    • And more!

Visit an ARL Animal Care & Adoption Center in Boston, Brewster, or Dedham, to meet our adoptable dogs or learn more about our adoptable dogs online. If you meet the dog of your dreams, in most cases you can take him or her home with you the same day!

If adding a canine companion to your family is not a possibility, you can still help dogs in need! Consider sponsoring a dog’s adoption fee or donating supplies from our Animal Care & Adoption Centers’ wish lists. Contact (617) 226-5602 for more information.

*According to the ASPCA’s pet statistics. 

Shelter Veterinary Services: Not Just For Cats & Dogs

Espresso, a 1-year-old rat, recovering from surgery to remove a large tumor

Everyone knows that the Animal Rescue League of Boston helps cats and dogs, but did you know that we help all other types of small animals, livestock, and wildlife too?

Espresso, a 1-year-old female rat, was picked up by ARL’s Rescue Services after being abandoned at a local veterinary clinic with her sister, Mocha. The adorable pair were brought to our Boston shelter where they received a veterinary exam, behavioral evaluation, and kind attention from staff and volunteers.

Unfortunately, during Espresso’s initial examination at the shelter, a large tumor was found over her left shoulder. Our Shelter Veterinary Services team immediately brought her to surgery, which cost approximately $250, to remove the tumor.

Espresso rat surgery before & after

Espresso, a 1-year-old rat, is recovering comfortably from tumor-removal surgery at the ARL. She and her sister Mocha are available for adoption and looking for a loving family!

DONATE NOW to ensure that animals like Espresso receive the critical preventative or emergency veterinary care that they need.

Espresso was a trooper throughout her surgery and recovered very well. In fact, she was walking around her enclosure and eating within an hour after waking up.

Through all of this process, Espresso never lost her love of people and remained as sweet as ever!

After surgery, the removed mass was sent to a lab for analysis and was determined to be a benign mammary tumor.

Mammary tumors are very common in middle-aged to older rats. Because rats have mammary tissue that extends well beyond the area of their mammary glands, mammary tumors can occur in locations you wouldn’t necessarily expect.

Thankfully, the tumors are nearly always benign, as was the case for Espresso.  This means it’s very unlikely that they will metastasize or recur in the same location.

It’s important to know, however, that rats who develop one mammary tumor will often go on to have additional mammary tumors develop at new locations in the future.

We recommend that Espresso’s adopters have a discussion with their family vet about whether to consider additional treatment, such as hormone injections, to help prevent future tumors from forming.

UPDATE 9/5/16: Espresso and her sister Mocha have been adopted!

Update: Couple Charged in Westport Dog Case

Westport, MA pair arrested in connection with Jersey, the matted dog’s case

Earlier this week, the Westport Police Department and local authorities arrested two people on animal cruelty charges relating to the rescue of “Jersey”, the approximately 8-year-old Llasa Apso who was found roaming around Sanford Road and Milk Avenue in Westport, MA. Her severely matted fur was was caked in dirt, urine, feces. Watch Jersey’s story, as reported by Fox 25.

Jersey was taken in to the ARL’s Boston shelter where she underwent intense medical treatment, including enucleation surgery, rendering her permanently blind. She also underwent a procedure to have bladder stones removed. Jersey will also receive treatment for significant dental decay.

Despite all she’s been through, Jersey has kept her sweet disposition toward ARL volunteers and staff. Although she can no longer see, Jersey still loves to explore! Her favorite activity is sniffing around patches of grass, followed by a long nap in her favorite plush blanket.

UPDATE: During the course of Jersey’s investigation, a tip was called in to Westport Police that lead them to a residence in Westport, MA. When investigators arrived at the home, they discovered three Dachshunds in concerning circumstances and transferred them to the ARL’s Boston shelter. The dogs’ owners were both charged with Animal Cruelty by a Custodian. Anyone wishing to help with the care and medical treatments of these innocent animals is encouraged to donate at arlboston.org.

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Jersey is recovering well after undergoing surgery last week at our Boston headquarters. If you would like to make a donation to Jersey and other animals in need, click the photo above or visit bit.ly/ARLDonate.

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Three Dachshunds were also discovered at the Westport, MA residence. Left: Charlie; top-right: Penny; bottom-right: Gracie. Penny is available for adoption at our Boston Adoption Center. Gracie and Charlie have already found their forever homes. Please click the photo above or visit arlboston.org/search-adoptables to learn more. Update: All three Dachshunds have been adopted!

 

SUSPECT ANIMAL CRUELTY? Call your local animal control officer or police department immediately. Learn the signs of animal cruelty at arlboston.org/take-action

Hot off the Press: Our Four-Footed Friends

Check out the Spring/Summer 2016 edition here!

ARL’s latest edition of Our Four-Footed Friends, includes news and photos of all the critical work for animals you helped support.

Our Four-Footed Friends Spring/Summer 2016 edition

Click on the image above to read the full Spring/Summer 2016 edition of Our Four-Footed Friends!

Click here or the image at right to view the full Spring/Summer 2016 OFFF magazine.

What’s inside…

  • How your support positively impacted ARL shelter pets in 2016!
  • The steps ARL is taking to advocate for animals- and what you can do to help!
  • A recap of National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month!
  • “Happy tail” & winter rescue success stories!
  • And much more!

 

 

ARL Debuts Christine Barton Feline Suite

ARL’s newly constructed Feline Suite has been named in memory of longtime volunteer, Christine Barton

Earlier this week, volunteers and staff gathered together at ARL’s Boston shelter to celebrate the life of the caring, committed, and longtime volunteer, Christine Barton.

Read the North End Waterfront article.

During the naming ceremony, ARL’s volunteer and educational programs manager, Debra Vogel, gave a heartfelt speech about why the Feline Suite was dedicated in Christine’s name:

feline suite

On Monday, ARL’s new Feline Suite was dedicated to longtime volunteer, Christine Barton! Funding for the Feline Suite was generously donated by the Gelnaw family!

Shy and fractious cats, like Frisky, surrendered to the ARL’s Boston shelter sometimes struggle in the traditional kennel environment. The newly renovated Feline Suite gives these cats a more home-like setting to rehabilitate and ultimately find a permanent home.

In the summer of 2015, the ARL lost a treasured member of their volunteer team, Christine Barton, after a battle with cancer.
 
Christine was a feline friend, a photographer, and a mentor. She spent countless hours patiently caring for the animals at the ARL.  Her devotion spanned from sitting for long periods of time with a shy cat to waiting for the perfect photo of a rambunctious puppy.
 
While her love for animals was obvious, her concern for children was just as strong. Christine frequently said, ‘I just want to do good’.
 
Feline Suite

ARL president, Mary Nee, and Feline Suite donor, Michelle Gelnaw unveil Christine’s plaque at the dedication ceremony.

Christine’s final wish was to have one more chance to visit the ARL’s Boston shelter. The Feline Suite that is being dedicated in her name, gives challenging cats a second chance. In this space, current volunteers can carry on Christine’s work to care for the cats in residence there. Nothing made Christine happier than to see once challenging cats flourish and find a new home.

Funding for the Christine Barton Feline Suite was generously donated by the Gelnaw family. They requested that the Feline Suite be named in Christine’s memory to help her legacy live on!
 

THANK YOU to Christine Barton for her many years of dedicated service to animals in need at the ARL!

…And to the Gelnaw family for their generous donation to help give struggling cats a chance to find a loving home!

Your Donations Gave Pearce a Chance at a Better Life

5 days and $763,300 left to help animals like him in 2016

Only because of YOUR generous donations are special animals like Pearce able to find a home for the holidays!

In March of this year, 7-month-old Pearce arrived at the ARL’s Boston shelter.

Adorable and playful, the tortoise shell-colored Pittie-mix was adopted quickly despite his jumpy-mouthy behavior. Confident that he would outgrow this puppy-like demeanor, his new family enrolled him in ARL’s training courses. Unfortunately, after a few weeks without improvement, his owners made the difficult decision to return him to the ARL.

home for the holidays

Thanks to your incredible support, Pearce will enjoy many years of nature hikes with his forever family! Click his photo to DONATE to the ARL and help other animals like him.

Two weeks later, Pearce’s beaming smile won the hearts of an optimistic young couple. Up for the challenge, the duo brought the lovable, but over-the-top dog home. Within 48 hours, however, they were forced to return Pearce to the shelter after he mouthed at them so intensely that he caused bruising.

A couple of weeks after that, the strong-willed pup was adopted by a third family. Despite counseling and behavioral training, Pearce was returned within 24 hours for exhibiting the same rough behaviors.

At this point it was clear to ARL’s behavior and enrichment manager, Dot Baisly, that Pearce’s behavior was not that of “typical” puppy, but instead stemmed from a serious underlying issue.

“This poor dog had no stability in his life and displayed the tendencies of dogs that are weaned away from their mother and littermates too young to help them learn mouth control,” explains Dot. “Anytime Pearce changed his surroundings, he experienced feelings of intense anxiety. These nerves manifested into temper tantrums, which made the forceful mouthy behavior more pronounced.”

YOUR generous donations gave Pearce hope for the future… DONATE NOW

Every day for the next 5 months, Pearce underwent intensive training to teach him how to appropriately interact with people and other dogs. Dot in conjunction with ARL’s Behavioral Modification (MOD) Squad, volunteers, staff, and outside professionals dedicated over 100 hours to rehabilitate him.

Pearce’s extensive enrichment and behavioral program consisted of nose work and agility training, social activities with other dogs, such as walks and playgroup, kennel enrichment and obedience training, and office and home fostering to help him decompress from the busy shelter environment. Pearce even attended an off-site 3-week board, train, and daycare program- and did wonderfully!

home for the holidays

“He makes us laugh daily,” exclaims Pearce’s new mom! Oh, and his favorite time of the day? Snuggle time with his dad Jon, of course!

8 long months after he arrived at the ARL, Pearce found a home for the holidays!

The snuggly pup has been in his new home with his mom, dad, and feline brothers for just over a month now and has adjusted very well!

Pearce is also making big strides in his obedience training with a professional trainer and is a favorite at the daycare he attends 4 times a week!

“He makes us laugh daily,” says Pearce’s new mom Katy Hayes. Thank you to the ARL for all of your work with Pearce and giving him a chance to find his forever home. We really appreciate the hours upon hours you gave to him and to us to ensure he transitioned and adjusted in a healthy and productive manner!”

LARGE OR SMALL, YOUR DONATION TODAY MATTERS

The clock is ticking and we still need to raise$763,300 by December 31!

At the ARL, a love for animals inspires us to do more. We receive no government or public funding and rely entirely on the support of people like you to give deserving animals like Pearce the chance at a better life!

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A big THANK YOU to Macy’s for helping to more animals like Pearce find a home for the holidays, and to everyone who has donated to the ARL to help animals in need!

Nina is Home for the Holidays!

Give a shelter pet the perfect holiday gift, a home

At the ARL, our biggest holiday wish is for the animals in our care and the individuals willing to open their hearts to find one another! Every year, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) unites over 3,000 deserving animals with families and places another 850 with dedicated ARL foster volunteers.

home for the holidays nina

ARL shelter veterinarians discovered large mast cell tumors all over Nina’s body during a routine spay surgery. Thanks to their thorough medical attention, the tumors were removed and Nina was able to go home for the holidays!

Special animals like Nina will have a season that’s merry and bright now that she’s home for the holidays!

Nina, a gorgeous 3-year-old boxer mixer, came into ARL’s Boston shelter earlier this fall when her family was forced to give her up due to landlord restrictions. Up until that point, she had been living with her family, including one child, her entire life.

When Nina arrived at the ARL’s Boston shelter, she instantly became a staff favorite! Anyone who glanced into her big round chocolate brown eyes instantly fell in love and came in closer for a snuggle.

Nina couldn’t get enough attention from her human friends and was was always eager to show off her basic commands for some tasty treats and a generous scratch in her favorite spot- right behind her floppy ears!

It was clear that Nina was ready for a permanent home, but first she would need to be spayed in order to meet potential adopters.

Unfortunately for Nina, things took an unexpected turn. During the routine spay surgery, ARL shelter veterinarians Dr. Quigley and Dr. Doyle came across several large mast cell tumors that were unknowing growing inside of Nina’s legs, back, shoulders, and stomach.

ARL’s veterinarians carefully scanned her body to locate and remove all the tumors and immediately send them out to be biopsied. Several hours and $1,500 worth of procedures later, Nina was awoke from surgery.

home for the holidays nina

Nina happy and settling into her new waterfront home. Something tells us she’ll become a beach bunny in no time at all!

Tired and weak, Nina patiently waited for the results of her biopsy while resting alongside ARL’s wonderful volunteers and staff. Everyone knew that she was one tough cookie, so there was no doubt that Nina would be back on her feet in no time!

A couple of weeks later, Nina received the good news she’d be hoping for! Her tumors were benign and she was medically cleared for adoption!

Shortly thereafter, Nina got her holiday wish and went home with her forever family. By all accounts, she is doing great and hasn’t let her surgery hold her back one bit!

Nina’s new dad was happy to report that, “everything has been so much fun thus far! Nina is adjusting well and is already excited to go running on the beach!”

YOU can help deserving shelter pets like Nina find a home for the holidays by…

  1. ADOPTING from the ARL! Search adoptables
  2. Checking out the wishlists at our shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham
  3. Using Amazon Smile when you shop and select the Animal Rescue League of Boston as the charity you support
  4. Giving a donation to the ARL in honor of an animal-friendly friend or family member.  With a donation of $25 or more, you can select a special card, too!

THANK YOU to Macy’s Boston for helping more ARL shelter animals find a Home for the Holidays!

They Call it Puppy Love

BVC shares 3 real health benefits of owning a dog

October is National Adopt-a-Dog Month and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) wants to remind you about all of the amazing benefits of adding a canine companion to your family. This week, we focus on the power of the human-animal bond and how it can positively impact YOUR physical and mental health!

When you adopt, you give an animal a chance at a better life. At the ARL, we have many incredible shelter dogs looking for a lifelong human companion (just like you!) to shower with loyalty and affection.

In addition to becoming your new best friend, however, a dog can give you even more than you bargained for- in a good way! Here are 3 real health benefits of adopting a shelter dog:

1. You’ll feel that “puppy love”… but, it’s not just love you’re feeling

3 real health benefits of owning a dog

Ready to feel that “puppy love” feeling? Stop by our Boston Shelter and fall in love with Pearce. Click on his photo to get to know him.

Did you know… that petting, smooching, or even looking at your pup can alter your biochemistry? It’s true! When a dog recognizes a familiar friendly person and that person makes eye contact with them, oxytocin (a.k.a. “the feel-good” hormone”) is released in BOTH the canine and human.

A surge of oxytocin can instantly decrease blood pressure and relieve stress and anxiety in both the dog and the person. This may help explain why the human-animal bond can be so powerful!

2. You’ll start to realize it’s all about life’s simple pleasures

As humans, we’re constantly on-the-go. We wear many hats throughout the day and feel the burden of the bills we need to pay, deadlines we need to meet, and the responsibility of managing an equally active family. We often envy the life of our dog whose only big decisions involve which toy (or shoe) to chew on and, of course, which section of the couch is comfiest.

While we don’t necessarily have the luxury of living a life parallel to our canine companions, we can learn an important lesson from them, which is: to appreciate the simple things in life.

3. You’ll lead a more active lifestyle… without even realizing it

Let’s face it: a dog’s energy is contagious. They’re always ready for playtime or a long walk and, although we may not be, we can’t resist that expectant look in their sweet eyes. Let their eagerness to stretch their legs motivate you to get moving too!

Set a daily walking or running routine for you and your pup to keep you both active and healthy. The more you exercise with you dog, the more they will expect it- and try to hold you to it!

Click here to search adoptable dogs at an ARL location. 

LOVE YOUR PET… LOVE YOUR VET! Boston Veterinary Care is dedicated to keeping your pet happy and healthy.

A big THANK YOU to our Adopt-a-Dog month media sponsor CITYSIDE SUBARU and to our media partners WCVB TV 5 and MeTV for sharing the importance of dog adoptions with our community, and your viewers!

adopt-a-dog month

Dawn Leelaub Celebrates 25 Years at the ARL

ARL’s Dawn Leelaub gives animals at our Brewster shelter a chance at a better life- and is grateful for how much they’ve given her in return

ARL’s Brewster shelter has served the community of Cape Cod since 1921 providing care, housing, and an adoption center for animals of all species, including horses, livestock, and companion animals.

In 2014, ARL’s Brewster shelter found permanent homes for 723 animals thanks in part to assistant shelter manager, Dawn Leelaub, as well as the amazing volunteers and shelter staff! One word that can sum up this shelter’s success over the years is TEAMWORK. “I’m always collaborating with the same people- from animal intake, to behavioral evaluations, to daily cage cleaning, to adoption- which I really love,” explains Dawn.

brewster shelter

Dawn can often been seen giving lots of love and attention to the Brewster Shelter’s furry residents.

ARL Blog sat down with Dawn to find out more about the important work that she does at ARL’s Brewster shelter. Here’s what she had to say…

ARL Blog: You’ve been with the ARL for 25 years! Congratulations! How had your position within the organization evolved?

Dawn Leelaub: Thank you! I have had the luxury of growing up, so to speak, within the ARL. I started at the Brewster shelter when I was 19-years-old as a “kennel attendant.” Following that, I actually went back to school to become an Animal Control Officer! Later, I was promoted to supervisor of the Brewster shelter, and currently I am the assistant manager.

I work for an unbelievable organization that is constantly re-evaluating itself to become better and better. The ARL offers many types of training opportunities, so my colleagues and I are constantly evolving and learning something new in our field. Additionally, as a person, I’ve learned to listen more than I speak and to just be more aware.

ARL Blog: What made you stay with the ARL so long? I’m sure it has a little something to do with the adorable animals you spend time with every day!

DL: I have so much respect for the ARL; it has given me purpose. Someone once told me that when you look in the mirror you have to like the reflection appearing back onto you. I’m proud of what I do and am very lucky to have found it at 19!

Without sounding too cliché, I help animals and people, but they helped me as well! It’s very special to know that I have made an impact on someone’s life and then find out that they want to do the same for me in return.

ARL Blog: ARL’s Brewster shelter has been helping animals in the Cape Cod community since 1921! Is there anything that makes the Brewster shelter unique compared to the Boston and Dedham locations?

DL: The Brewster shelter is very special in its own right. First and foremost, we have the most amazing community! We are surrounded by people who really care about us and are willing to jump in and help out by donating supplies or whatever the shelter may need; it’s very humbling. I’ve lived in the area my entire life, so I definitely have my own deep connection with Brewster.

People from the community will casually drop by to say hello to our staff and the animals and see how we’re doing. On a Saturday alone, we’ll have upwards of 150 visitors! It’s amazing to see adopters who I helped 25 years ago come here with their children.

ARL Blog: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

DL: The opportunity to help and be surrounded by so many amazing animals that I can’t help but love! Recently, a dog came into our Brewster shelter with not a stitch of fur and in really bad shape; she had never been seen by a veterinarian in her life. When she first arrived, she was really shy and afraid, but within a few days she’s completely transformed!  Now she loves talking to me and always has a happy and peaceful expression on her face. You can tell that she feels good and knows that she’s being well taken care of. We’ve definitely bonded and I know we’re going to make her life better.

I get so excited when the animals I’ve helped come back to visit me with their new families. I’m so thankful that the animals have found a loving home and that I’m able to develop a relationship with their adopters. My hope is that the families will come back and adopt other animals from the ARL in the future- and most of them do!

ARL Blog: What is the most challenging part of your job?

DL: I’m always working to help to change the public’s perception about the animals that come into our shelters. There is no such thing as a “bad” dog, cat, guinea pig, etc. The fact is that many animals find their way into ARL’s shelters through no fault of their own–and we’re here to help them. It’s important for me to help the community understand what the ARL does and why we’re here.

ARL Blog: What’s your favorite “happy tail” moment at the shelter?

DL: Perhaps one of my favorite memories is the adoption of pot-bellied pig, Albert Swinestein. He was an unbelievable character and we really bonded. In fact, he was so special that his adopters drove all the way up from West Virginia during a blizzard to pick him up! The family recently sent an update letting me know that his new best friend is their pet bulldog.

To learn more about ARL’s Brewster shelter, visit arlboston.org/brewster-shelter