Stray kitten now in permanent home

This past week, a nine-week-old stray kitten was rescued by the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department after finding itself at the bottom of a steep embankment below a Fall River, MA, boardwalk, and unable to get out.

The situation unfolded in the area of The Cove Restaurant and Marina in Fall River, when a couple walking along the boardwalk area heard the kitten mewing and contacted ARL for assistance.

ARL Field Services responded to the area and spotted the kitten curled up on a rock.

See local news coverage of the rescue.

The kitten was about 20 feet below the boardwalk, and the steeply sloped and rocky area was not accessible without risk of injury, and the fear was the kitten would run and hide if responders attempted to come down to his level.

ARL contacted Fall River Animal Control to assist in the rescue, and ARL’s agents tied a humane cat trap to ropes and lowered it down to the area in an attempt to trap the animal.

On-scene responders held the door to the trap open while others would throw food to try and tempt the kitten into the trap.

After about 40 minutes, the kitten, showing signs of obvious hunger, drew closer and eventually stepped into the trap to get to the food that had been placed inside.

Once inside the trap, ARL’s agent snapped it shut, and raised the trap back to the boardwalk, where the kitten was safely placed in a carrier for transport.

The kitten, now named Wharf, was transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, where he was immediately fed and given a thorough veterinary exam.

Aside from being ravenously hungry and frightened, Wharf was in good overall health.

It’s anyone’s guess how the kitten wound up in his precarious position, but ARL  focused on finding Wharf the permanent home he deserves, which he found just days after coming to the organization!

ARL wishes to thank the Good Samaritans who reported the wayward kitten, and Fall River Animal Control for their assistance in rescuing this adventurous animal.

Stray cat suffering multiple medical issues

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for a 10-year-old cat that was found as a stray and is suffering from a multitude of medical issues.

Though not out of the woods, ARL’s medical intervention has likely saved the animal’s life.

The female cat, now named Wren, was found in Norwood, MA, in late June, and upon intake at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, one medical issue was certainly noticeable.

Wren had large wounds on her neck and face, however, it is unknown if the wounds were caused by a hot liquid burn, allergic reaction, or infection – but it was her underlying medical issues that were most concerning.

Wren upon intake at ARL.

While the wounds on her neck and facial region were very noticeable, her underlying medical issues were a larger concern.

Wren was thin, had diabetes and a uterine infection.

Wren is currently in foster care and improving by the day!

Wren had pyometra, a uterine infection that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Additionally, Wren was very thin and diagnosed with diabetes, which had likely not been treated previously.

Wren’s wounds were immediately treated, as was her pyometra during spay surgery, but following treatment, the cat was not eating and losing weight.

With her outcome up in the air, Wren thankfully took a liking to wet food suitable for cats living with diabetes and fortunately has begun to put weight back on.

The cat is now in foster care to continue the healing process, and ARL’s veterinary staff has also begun a treatment plan to regulate her diabetes.

Wren’s wounds are healing and her health is improving, however, there is no timeline on when Wren may be made available for adoption as she still has a long road to recovery ahead of her.

Help Wren and Animals Like Her

ARL provides the highest standards of veterinary care, and in the case of Wren, her cost of care is estimated to exceed $10,000.

ARL is committed to helping every animal in the organization heal and thrive, but we cannot do it alone.

When you donate to ARL, you are helping Wren and animals like her by ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve, and once healed can begin the next chapter of their lives in a loving home.

Anyone interested in contributing to her treatment can visit support.arlboston.org/Wren to donate.

Stray puppy found wandering along Boston highway in May

A 4-month-old puppy with severe mange found as a stray along Cummins Highway in Roslindale back in May has made a remarkable transformation and is now ready to begin the next chapter of her life.

The puppy, now named Petunia, made a quick recovery, her fur has grown back and she looks completely different than she did upon intake.

Through medical treatment, foster care and her own strength and resilience, her transformation is utterly amazing.

She is now ready to find her new home, and will be made available for adoption at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, located at 55 Anna’s Place in Dedham.

Petunia was found May 7 along the Cummins Highway and taken to an emergency veterinary hospital for assessment and then transported to Boston Animal Control early the next day.

Knowing the puppy would require long-term treatment, Boston Animal Control contacted ARL and brought Petunia to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Petunia upon intake at ARL in May.

She was found as a stray and was suffering from severe mange.

Petunia two weeks into her treatment.

Her fur was starting to grow back in and she was more comfortable.

Petunia today and her amazing transformation is complete!

She is now ready to find her forever home.

While it is unknown where she came from or how she found her way to the busy roadway, ARL’s focus was to get the helpless puppy on the path to recovery.

Petunia suffered from severe demodectic mange, which is caused by mites living in the hair follicles of an animal, and results in fur loss and itchy skin.

The puppy had fur loss on the majority of her body, however, her condition was not contagious to other dogs or people.

The puppy’s course of treatment involved medicated baths twice-a-week to help soothe her skin and oral medications to clear the mange.

Her treatment lasted just over a month, and she spent her recovery time in foster care, which was pivotal in the healing process.

How You Can Animals Like Petunia

ARL is a resource, and Petunia’s recovery involved a number of ARL programs including Community and Shelter Medicine, Animal Care and Adoption, as well as ARL’s critical foster care network.

When you support ARL, you are making it possible for animals like Petunia to receive the care they need, the time they need to heal, and be provided with a quiet and nurturing environment to recover.

Please consider supporting ARL, and thank you for being a Champion for Animals in need!