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Dog Who Suffered Severe Burns Overcomes Trauma to Find Her Home for the Holidays

“Annie” still recovering from severe burns, adopted by her foster family

You may remember the story of Annie, a one-year-old mixed-breed dog that was found abandoned in Norwood, MA, in late August and had suffered second-degree burns to 20 percent of her body.

In the past four months, she has redefined perseverance.

In Need of Help

Annie was discovered along Route 1 in Norwood, wearing a collar and leash, but with no identification, and was not microchipped.

She was taken to the Norwood Police Department, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Law Enforcement Department was contacted. She was then transferred to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

The burns covering her head, neck, shoulders, abdomen, and front limbs were extremely painful, and the ARL shelter medicine team’s first priority was to help manage her pain and provide treatment for the wounds.

Initially Annie’s situation was critical and given the severity of the burns and the pain level, she was transferred to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment & Specialties (Tufts VETS) in Walpole, MA, for several days to receive intensive 24-hour care and pain management.

Ongoing Care and Foster

Once the young dog was stabilized, she began the next phase of her recovery and over the next two months she would undergo comprehensive and sometimes painful procedures to aid in the healing process of the burns.

Over time her pain was greatly reduced, and her fur also began to grow back, however, the physical scars of the trauma she suffered will likely be noticeable for the rest of her life.

Annie was also placed into foster care to give her a quiet and comfortable environment to heal.

Finding Her Home for the Holidays

Annie’s foster home was the perfect environment for her.

Her foster family offered the support and love she needed during her recovery, and in the process became bonded with the young dog.

In the fall the family decided that Annie had found her family and her new home, and officially adopted her!

While she continues to heal from her ordeal, she is ready to begin the next chapter of her life.

She is thriving and is overjoyed to be spending the holidays with her new family and ARL could not be happier for this outcome!

How You Can Help Animals Like Annie

For all of us, and especially for animals in need, this has been a trying time. Soaring inflation has made our work much more difficult and strained our limited resources.

ARL cannot respond in times of crisis without you – and the need has never been greater.

Your generous year-end gift will ensure that animals in need can get the care they count on including, food, sanctuary, medical care, love, and emergency rescue if they are in danger.

 

Young Cat at ARL Overcomes Medical Challenges and is Ready to Find a Home for the Holidays

Cat has been in the care of ARL since August due to medical concerns

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is a resource for animals in need, and sometimes those needs can be quite extensive.

For Regan Macneil, a 2-year-old female cat, her journey with ARL began in August when she was surrendered to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center due to cost of care.

Medical Concerns

Upon arrival at ARL, the organization’s shelter medicine team began Regan Macneil’s stay with a thorough medical exam.

The young cat had a severe head tilt to the right and facial paralysis, a sign that there may be neurological deficits. Horner’s Syndrome, a common neurological disorder of the eye and facial muscles caused by a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system was suspected.

A heart murmur in the cat was also detected.

Additionally, a polyp was discovered in the cat’s ear and needed to be removed, a portion of which needed to be biopsied to help get a clearer picture of her overall health.

Fortunately, the biopsy revealed the polyp to be benign, and Regan was placed into foster care to begin her healing process.

Making Progress

The young cat was shy but friendly, and being in foster care helped tremendously in having Regan come out of her shell and show her true personality.

Over time her health and behavior improved dramatically, and in December, a veterinary recheck indicated that while the head tilt was still present is was not as pronounced, and that the facial paralysis had also resolved.

Ready to Go Home

With her health continuing to improve, Regan Macneil is now ready to find her perfect home for the holidays and beyond.

The collaborative effort between ARL’s shelter medicine, shelter staff, volunteers and foster care network was extensive, and demonstrates the commitment by the organization to treat every animal as an individual by providing that animal with all the resources they need to heal and then thrive once finding a forever home.

For more information about Regan Macneil.

How You Can Help Animals Like Regan Macneil

When you make your year-end gift today, you can help make sure animals like Regan Macneil get everything they deserve this holiday season.

Your generosity means you can be there for animals, every step of the journey home, as long as it takes.  From transports from overcrowded shelters or emergency rescues, to veterinary care, enrichment and  behavior training, and finally adoption – you make it all possible.

2,285+ animals in need have already found homes this year. Will you make a year-end gift to help one more?

Home for the Holidays: Buzz Lightyear Finds a Perfect Landing Spot

Cat was found in Fall River with a glass jar stuck on her head

You may recall the story of Buzz Lightyear, back in October, the six-month-old kitten was spotted on the streets of Fall River in a precarious situation – she had a glass jar stuck on her head!

Fall River Animal Control contacted the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department for assistance, and because ARL’s Community Cat Program is extremely active in the city, an agent was already in Fall River and was able to respond to the situation quickly.

Upon arrival, the kitten was seen wandering along the roadway, and while it took a bit of time, Buzz Lightyear was eventually captured by use of a drop trap.

Although she could not smell with the jar on her head, the agent used food to lure two of Buzz’s siblings into the trap and out of curiosity, she followed.

Once secured, ARL’s Field Services agent was able to handle the kitten and remove the glass jar, and then transported Buzz to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Preparing For a New Home

While Buzz Lightyear settled into her temporary surroundings at ARL quickly, she was unaccustomed to being cared for by humans and needed some time to undergo socialization with staff and volunteers.

After getting up-to-date on vaccines and undergoing spay surgery, she was placed in ARL’s cat colony room in Dedham, which included a couple of her siblings, to help her feel more comfortable and allow staff and volunteers to gain her trust and help her learn how to interact with people.

Going Home

It wasn’t long before Buzz Lightyear was showing off her friendly and playful side, and she was made available for adoption.

She was adopted almost immediately upon being made available, and is looking forward to spending her first holiday season in her new home where she is thriving with her new family and feline companion!

Making a Difference

When you make your year-end gift today, you can help make sure animals like Buzz Lightyear get everything they deserve this holiday season.

Your generosity means you can be there for animals, every step of the journey home, as long as it takes.

From transports from overcrowded shelters or emergency rescues, to veterinary care, enrichment and behavior training, and finally adoption – you make it all possible.

2,285+ animals in need have already found homes this year. Will you make a year-end gift to help one more?

 

Home for the Holidays: Former Community Cat Overcomes Obstacles to Find Loving Home

Community cat received extensive treatment while in care of ARL

Animals are amazing in so many ways, but the resilience of animals seen every day at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is awe-inspiring, and a 7-month-old former community cat who has found his Home for the Holidays exemplifies resilience.

Yogurt came into the care of ARL in July from a colony in Fall River, an area of the state that ARL’s Community Cat Program is extremely active.

In Desperate Need of Care

The kitten was in rough shape upon arrival at ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center: his abdomen was distended, he was very underweight, was infested with fleas and additionally, he had a fractured leg and a severe wound on his tail.

ARL’s shelter medicine team amputated part of his tail, and because the injury was a wound of unknown origin, Yogurt was placed into the state-mandated four-month quarantine protocol.

The hope was the fracture would heal with rest and constant monitoring, but over time the leg did not improve, and for his health and well-being, the leg was amputated.

Despite enduring so much at such a young age, Yogurt was resilient through it all.

Gaining Confidence

Because he previously lived outdoors, he needed plenty of socialization to become used to being cared for by humans, and that’s where ARL’s behavioral team came in.

Using clicker training that positively reinforces good behaviors, Yogurt took to his training well and soon became comfortable with those around him.

Yogurt transformed from a shy kitten, to a kitten that would quickly interact with anyone willing, purr loudly, and more than just a lap cat, he has been known to actually fall asleep in people’s arms!

Ready to Go Home

As Yogurt steadily progressed, he became an office foster so he could have constant interaction with people, and once his four-month quarantine had lapsed, he was ready to go into a new home.

Unsurprisingly, Yogurt was adopted quickly, finding a new home with an ARL employee, and he is now Home for the Holidays with his new family, happy, healthy, and thriving!

Make a Difference Today

For a homeless animal or at-risk pet like Yogurt, your kindness can change their whole life.

Your support is a powerful source of hope for the animals we serve, as it will ensure that we are able to provide all animals in our care with the level of compassion and love they deserve.

Will you make a gift to help animals experience kindness and joy this holiday season?

Join ARL today, and thank you for being a Champion for Animals!

ARL Receives Grant Through Thomas C. McGowan Fund for Animals of the Cape Cod Foundation

Grant funds to assist behaviorally and medically challenged animals on Cape Cod

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is pleased to announce the organization has received a generous grant from the Thomas C. McGowan Fund for Animals of the Cape Cod Foundation, which will greatly benefit behaviorally and medically challenged animals in the care of ARL’s Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Center through 2024.

Two vets doing an exam on a beagle dog

The Thomas C. McGowan Fund for Animals grant will help provide animals on Cape Cod with the care they need.

The Thomas C. McGowan Fund for Animals of the Cape Cod Foundation grant, in the amount of $20,000, will be distributed over a two-year period to help ARL treat the increased volume of cats and dogs with complex medical and behavior issues which require a significant investment in care.

These issues are barriers to adoption and increase an animal’s length-of-stay (LOS).

Prolonged LOS can exacerbate or cause more issues.

Medical concerns affect an animal’s quality of life and can have negative effects on behavior. If left untreated, issues pose a financial burden and stress for potential adopters.

“ARL prides itself on its ability to deliver high-quality medical and behavioral care to every animal in our care on an individual level,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “With ARL’s Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Center seeing more and more of these types of animals coming through our doors, these grant funds will ensure that ARL can continue its standard of care, while finding these animals permanent and loving homes.”

In 2021, ARL’s Brewster location adopted nearly 100 animals with behavior concerns, representing 20 percent of adoptions.

The location maintained an average length-of-stay of 10 days for cats, 11 days for dogs, and 20 days for small animals and livestock. Additionally, ARL’s Shelter Medicine staff performed 275 surgeries and provided nearly 700 exams for animals in ARL’s care.

ARL Rescues Community Kitten with Glass Jar Stuck on its Head

Community Kitten rescue collaborative effort with ARL and Fall River Animal Control

 This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department assisted Fall River Animal Control to rescue a community kitten in the precarious position of having what appeared to be a glass bowl or light fixture cover stuck on its head.

The six-month-old kitten, now named Buzz Lightyear, was spotted along the 200 block of Danforth Street by a nearby resident who has been monitoring and feeding cats in the area, who then contacted Fall River Animal Control.

Because ARL’s Field Services agents work frequently in the Fall River area to help tackle the enormous numbers of community kittens and cats living on the streets, ARL was contacted and dispatched to the scene.

Upon arrival, the kitten was seen wandering along the roadway, and while it took a bit of time, Buzz was eventually captured by use of a drop trap.

Although she could not smell with the jar on her head, the agent used food to lure two of Buzz’s siblings into the trap and out of curiosity, she followed.

Once secured, ARL’s Field Services agent was able to handle the kitten and remove the glass jar, and then transported Buzz to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Although the kitten was a bit dirty from living on the streets, ARL’s shelter medicine determined she was in good health, and proceeded to provide the kitten with vaccines and spay surgery.

Buzz has settled into her new surroundings, however, because she is still learning to trust humans, she will need time for ARL staff and volunteers to help socialize the young cat, and she is not yet available for adoption.

Additionally, while rescuing the kitten, ARL was able to identify a previously unknown cat colony, and will begin trapping the other cats in the colony to provide medical treatment, spay/neuter surgery, and assess behavior to possibly place other cats from the colony into loving homes.

ARL wishes to thank Fall River Animal Control for the continued collaboration to care for the large community kitten and cat population in the city.

About ARL Field Services

ARL Field Services provides technical and non-technical rescue operations for injured or lost domestic animals, livestock, and raptors (turkey vultures, osprey, hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls).

ARL Field Services also assists governmental agencies with equipment and training; and plays an essential role in assisting ARL Law Enforcement in cases of animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse.

If you need assistance, call (617) 426-9170 to reach ARL Field Services dispatch, which operates from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday.

Abandoned Dog on the Mend Reunites with Rescuers

Abandoned and emaciated  dog discovered near Malden Police Department in July making remarkable recovery

This week, a dog who was found abandoned and in terrible condition in late July near the Malden Police Department returned to visit with the officers who took immediate action upon his arrival.

Bailey, a one-year-old Chihuahua named after a Malden Police Lieutenant who was on-duty when he arrived in July and took an immediate interest in the dog, has been recovering with the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), who was thrilled to be able to make this reunion happen.

Watch local news coverage of Bailey’s reunion.

Bailey Discovered

On Monday, July 25, Bailey was discovered huddling in some bushes along the East Coast Greenway bike trail in the area of Dell and Branch Streets.

The finder carefully wrapped the animal in a blanket and brought him to the nearby Malden Police Department where on-duty officers immediately took action to put Bailey on the road to recovery.

The dog was initially treated at an animal hospital in Charlestown and then transferred to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Bailey was emaciated, weighing just two pounds and scoring a 2 out of 9 on the body condition score index, meaning he was emaciated.

He also suffered severe fur loss and his body is covered in scabs, and additionally, he tested positive and is being treated for Giardia, a parasitic illness that may be a further indicator that Bailey was previously living in unsanitary conditions — when presented for medical treatment, the animal was described as “malodorous” (filthy).

Recovery

Once in the care of ARL, Bailey was treated for his skin issues, and was put on a refeeding program to ensure he would gain weight slowly and safely.

He was also placed into foster care, allowing him the quiet environment he needed to heal, and to receive the ongoing care necessary for his recovery.

Although still on the mend, Bailey has gained more than a pound, his skin is healing, and his fur is starting to regrow.

Over the past two months, Bailey has also come out of his shell in his foster home, loves being around people, and has grained a tremendous amount of confidence.

This remains an ongoing investigation by ARL’s Law Enforcement Department and Malden Police. Anyone with information pertaining to the case is urged to contact ARL at (617) 426-9170 x110, or email cruelty@arlboston.org. You can also contact Malden Police at (781) 397-7171 with any pertinent information.

Please note: Bailey is not currently available for adoption.

While it’s expected for his status to change soon, there remains no timeline for when this may happen.

Former Emaciated Stray Now Living His Best Life

This past August, Sigma, a six-year-old male cat, was brought to the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center as an emaciated stray, by a resident who was concerned for the cat’s well-being.

Sigma’s finder believed he had been owned and then abandoned by a former neighbor and had kept an eye on him over the past year and feeding him from time to time as well.

Sigma, while friendly, was in rough shape.

He weighed just 6 pounds, and as a comparison, when he was adopted from ARL in 2017 as a kitten, he went home weighing 9 pounds. Along with being extremely emaciated, he was also dehydrated, and unable to stand or walk on his own.

Additionally, his right eye was foggy and he was also tremoring, a sign of possible neurological deficits.

Making Strides

Sigma, a former emaciated stray, transformed after several weeks on a refeeding plan.

ARL’s shelter medicine team quickly went to work, running diagnostic tests and placing Sigma on a refeeding plan to ensure he would put on weight safely and slowly.

The lameness in his hind limbs was due to severe muscle wasting, a likely byproduct of being abandoned and inability to find a sustainable food source. Thankfully, Sigma began to strengthen as he started putting on weight, and was soon able to display vastly improved mobility.

Sigma needed some time to recover, and was placed into a foster home, where he thrived!

Many former strays can be scared of new people and surroundings, however, Sigma was the complete opposite. He loved being around his foster family, especially a young child in the home.

Going Home

After several weeks in foster care, Sigma had put back on the weight that he had lost, and was healthy, happy, and strong.

About one month after arriving at ARL, Sigma was made available for adoption, and almost immediately found his perfect family, and is thriving in his new home.

A black cat laying on a cat scratch pad

“Sigma loves to explore our home room by room. He enjoys playing with his new toys and napping! He has a great appetite and lots of energy.” Deng L., Sigma’s adopter

September is Champions Circle Month!

Sigma received the care that he needed all thanks to supporters like you.

If you’ve ever considered supporting ARL throughout the calendar year, now is a perfect time to do so!

ARL’s Champions Circle members provide reliable support in the form of monthly gifts. With their recurring contributions, members give animals like Sigma the critical support they need now, and dependable support that ARL can count on, ALL YEAR LONG. Become a Champions Circle member today!

ARL Assists in Barnstable County Overcrowding Situation

ARL works with owners, local animal control to remove 19 cats from overcrowding situation

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department recently worked with local animal control and a family in need of assistance to help remove 19 cats from an overcrowding situation in Barnstable County.

The owners of the cats had unfortunately suffered a number of recent hardships and were no longer able to care for the cats, so when local animal control reached out to ARL regarding the overcrowding situation, ARL sprung into action to help not only the cats in the home but the family involved as well.

orange tabby cat

One of 19 cats ARL removed from an overcrowding situation in Barnstable County.

Working with the owners and animal control, ARL was able to trap 19 cats and safely remove them from the home, and then transport the animals to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center.

The cats were given time to settle into their new surroundings before receiving comprehensive veterinary exams and undergoing spay/neuter surgeries.

Because of the hardships their previous family faced, many of the cats are not used to being around people, and while ARL’s behavioral staff and volunteers have spent time with the felines, it’s likely they will need time to acclimate to their new homes.

The majority of these cats are available for adoption, and once they adjust to their new surroundings will surely become wonderful companion animals!

Reach Out for Assistance

ARL encourages anyone who may be overwhelmed or who may know someone who may be overwhelmed, to reach out for assistance.

ARL is a resource, and will work with diligence and respect to resolve any issues a caregiver may be having.

More information about ARL’s Field Services Department, including contact information.

ARL Rescues Cat Trapped in Drain in Roxbury

ARL caring for cat after drain ordeal, seeking a possible owner

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for a cat who needed to be rescued after becoming trapped in a drain outside of an apartment building in Roxbury.

The cat has shown signs of possible ownership, and ARL is actively looking to see if the animal has gone missing from a nearby residence.

On the afternoon of Thursday, September 15, ARL’s Field Services hotline received a call that a cat had been discovered trapped in a drain along 12 Cleaves St. in Roxbury, and was unable to free itself from the predicament.

An ARL Field Services agent responded immediately to the scene, and upon arrival could hear the cat meowing loudly from the drain.

The agent was able to remove the grate from the drain, and when reaching in to wrangle the cat, he seemingly knew that help had arrived and allowed himself to be handled and removed from the situation.

Once the cat was removed from the drain and safely secured, he was transported to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center to undergo a veterinary exam and settle into his new, and hopefully temporary surroundings.

The approximately 5-year-old cat, dubbed “Louie”, was found to be in good health and was not wearing a collar and is not microchipped.

Given his friendliness, ARL is concerned that he may be missing from his home and is asking anyone who may recognize him to contact ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center at 617-426-9170 x605.

ARL Field Services

ARL Field Services provides technical and non-technical rescue operations for injured or lost domestic animals, livestock, and raptors (turkey vultures, osprey, hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls).

ARL Field Services also assists governmental agencies with equipment and training; and plays an essential role in assisting ARL Law Enforcement in cases of animal cruelty, neglect, and abuse.

If you need assistance, call (617) 426-9170 to reach ARL Field Services dispatch, which operates from 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM Tuesday-Saturday.