Senior stray cat with several medical issues found along VFW Parkway in Dedham

A senior former stray cat is getting the second chance he deserves thanks to the actions of a Good Samaritan who was concerned after spotting the cat near a busy highway in Dedham, MA.

The cat has been in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), and had he not been rescued, his medical issues would’ve certainly been exacerbated and possibly life-threatening.

Mr. Belvedere, a 10-year-old male cat, was brought to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center in February after a person on their way to work noticed the cat on the side of the busy VFW Parkway in Dedham.

Mr. Belvedere visiting ARL's shelter medicine staff for a check-up.

The friendly stray cat was rescued by a Good Samaritan.

ARL's shelter medicine team addressing Mr. Belvedere's dry eye condition.

Mr. Belvedere continues to be treated for dry eye and diabetes.

The Good Samaritan took note of the stray cat, and when returning from work the same day, the person once again noticed the cat and decided to take action.

Concerned for the animal’s welfare and believing he was either sick or injured, the Good Samaritan was able to gather up the friendly cat, and bring him to ARL.

Upon his arrival, a thorough medical exam revealed some underlying medical concerns, including diabetes, muscle wasting on one of his hind limbs, and chronic dry eye.

The cat was also suffering from advanced dental disease. Had Mr. Belvedere not been rescued, it’s likely his diabetes would have worsened over time and developed into a life-threatening condition.

Over the past month, ARL’s shelter medicine has worked diligently to regulate the cat’s diabetes, and Mr. Belvedere is currently on a restricted diet, and also receives daily insulin injections.

He also needs daily medication for his dry eye condition.

Mr. Belvedere, a very friendly and outgoing cat, has enjoyed living in his foster home since his intake, and it’s likely his foster family will adopt him once he’s ready.

ARL would like to thank the Good Samaritan for their act of kindness, and acknowledge everyone who takes action when seeing an animal in distress and need of assistance.

Transport kitten required leg amputation due to unrepairable fracture

A seven-month-old transport kitten in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is getting a second chance thanks to both the transport, and the emergency surgical procedure performed by ARL’s shelter medicine team.

The kitten was part of a transport of cats through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Relocation Program, and was suffering from a severely fractured leg.

Because the kitten, named Raquel, was found as a stray, it’s unknown how she suffered the injury.

Raquel came to ARL through a transport from the Southern U.S. She needed emergency surgery due to an unrepairable leg fracture.

Just one day after surgery, she was playing, energetic and with no mobility issues.

She will need some time to recover from surgery.

But will be able to find her new home soon!

Upon arrival at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, Raquel’s leg was x-rayed and due to the extent and severity of the fracture, the leg was removed which will result in Raquel living a pain-free, and normal life.

Just one day after surgery, Raquel was playful, energetic and displayed no mobility issues.

Raquel is literally receiving a second chance – given the combination of shelter overcrowding and her medical issues, it’s very likely that the kitten would have been euthanized had she not been transported.

ARL is thrilled to have the opportunity to give Raquel and the 14 other cats that were part of the transport the chance to find permanent homes and have the fulfilling lives they deserve.

While ARL’s feline priorities remain focused on serving the countless homeless cats living in our local communities through the organization’s Community Cat Program, ARL is a proud partner with the ASPCA and regularly receives transports of both cats and dogs to lessen shelter overcrowding in other regions of the country and finding these animals homes.

The ASPCA Relocation Program removes cats and dogs from shelters in areas with high homeless animal populations and transports them to areas (like Massachusetts), where the demand for adoptable animals is high.

In 2021, the program relocated more than 34,000 animals to shelters across the country.

Latest overcrowding cat situation involved two dozen cats removed from home in Bristol County

This past week the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) took in two dozen animals from a cat overcrowding situation in Bristol County, and already in 2023 ARL has taken in more than 100 cats from these types of situations in our local communities – nearly twice as many as the same time period in 2022.

ARL is the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts with a dedicated community cat agent working within our local communities to help these animals directly where they live.

The cats currently in ARL’s care came from an individual that previously reached out to ARL for assistance through the organization’s Community Cat Program to support care for outdoor cats in the area as well as owner surrender for cats the individual had taken into their care.

One of approximately two dozen cats recently taken in from an overcrowding situation in Bristol County.

One of approximately two dozen cats recently taken in from an overcrowding situation in Bristol County.

One of approximately two dozen cats recently taken in from an overcrowding situation in Bristol County.

One of approximately two dozen cats recently taken in from an overcrowding situation in Bristol County.

After providing refuge and shelter for so many outdoor cats, the situation had become too overwhelming and assistance was required to ensure the cats were provided with proper care and the opportunity to find loving homes through ARL’s adoption services.

Once removed from the home, the cats were transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center where they continue to receive ongoing medical and behavioral care.

Cats living in overcrowding situations tend to have chronic medical issues due to a lack of proper care and sanitation, and because they are more used to interacting with other animals rather than people, tend to have behavioral challenges to overcome before being placed in a permanent home.

The majority of the cats are doing remarkably well and while many are available for adoption, others will need ongoing care, but should be ready to find their new homes soon.

Taking in such a large and sudden influx of animals is a daunting task, however, ARL has the experience and expertise to provide the care these animals need, and reminds the public that If you or someone you know is overwhelmed by having too many animals in their home, there is help available.

You can contact local animal control, or ARL’s Field Services Department for assistance.

ARL approaches every overcrowding situation with respect, compassion, and a staunch commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the animals involved, as well as their caretakers.

Community cats overcome social and medical hurdles

When community cats come into the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), the road to finding a permanent and loving home is often paved with challenges, whether it be a medical condition or a need for socialization.

For six-year-old Jacob and eight-year-old Peanut Butter, they found more than shelter, medical treatment, and caring staff at ARL – they found each other.

Jacob was found as a stray in Fall River, and upon his arrival at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, it was clear he needed medical attention.

Although showing some social behavior, he had two ailments causing him discomfort and pain that needed to be addressed – severe dental disease, and an infection that had all but destroyed his right eye.

ARL’s shelter medicine team proceeded to remove the eye, and with the extent of the dental disease, performed a full-mouth extraction, removing all of his remaining teeth.

Jacob and Peanut Butter.

Jacob was placed in an office to recover, and there is where he found Peanut Butter.

Peanut Butter was also a stray and was living in Hyde Park.

She had a feeder to depend on, and her ear tip showed that she had been spayed and released at some point in her life.

Unfortunately, her feeder was moving, and could no longer monitor the aging cat.

When Peanut Butter was trapped and brought to ARL, she was found to be in good overall health, however, she was suffering from severe dental disease.

She was missing a handful of teeth, and 15 teeth that were causing her pain were removed.

With surgery complete, she was placed in the same office as Jacob to recover.

Over a short period of time, the two became fast friends, and soon were spotted together in a plush cat cubby and that is where you can find them curled up together for most of the day.

While the cats are still working on their social skills with humans, with their bond forged, they will find a new home together and will lean on one another to acclimate to their new surroundings.

*Update 3/14/23: Jacob and Peanut Butter have been adopted together!** 

ARL’s Community Cat Program

It is estimated that there are more than 700,000 community cats throughout Massachusetts, 70,000 in Boston alone.

Community cats face many challenges living outdoors. Without proper shelter and care, they are at risk of illness and injury.

Additionally, without spay/neuter surgery, these cats can produce many litters and continue the cycle of large colonies of unowned cats.

ARL’s Community Cat Program tackles this issue by working with individuals who take it upon themselves to feed and monitor these animals, as well as animal control officers to assess a colony and formulate a TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) plan.

Spay and neuter surgeries are low risk and proven to improve the safety and health of these cats as well as the community as a whole. The plan also includes vaccines, and whether each cat will be returned to the colony, returned to their owner if microchipped, or admitted to an ARL shelter to be put up for adoption if they are friendly, just like Jacob and Peanut Butter.

More information about ARL’s Community Cat Program.

Abandoned dog needed extensive grooming and a little TLC

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently took in a 9-year-old abandoned dog from an animal control officer in Worcester County, this after the Australian Shepherd mix was left tied to a large tire near a busy road.

The abandoned dog, named Charlie, realized that he had been left to fend for himself, and managed to chew through the rope and sought shelter at a nearby business where staff took him in and notified authorities.

Charlie’s owner was found rather quickly and formally surrendered the dog, but is facing charges for abandoning an animal.

Once he was surrendered, the local animal control officer contacted ARL and transported him to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Charlie after a much needed grooming.

Charlie quickly settled into his new surroundings at ARL.

Loving some outdoor time!

Charlie showing his gentle side.

Upon arrival, staff was notified that Charlie had not received veterinary care for some time, and given his extremely matted and unkempt coat, he was in desperate need of grooming.

ARL’s shelter medicine team gave Charlie a thorough exam, and due to the extent of the matting, Charlie needed to be sedated for his grooming and when staff was finished, he literally looked like a completely different dog!

With the uncomfortable mats removed, Charlie quickly settled into his new surroundings and became a favorite among staff and volunteers.

Charlie was friendly, well-mannered, and enjoyed being around people and taking advantage of Dedham’s outdoor paddocks to play and run around in.

Less than two weeks after arriving at ARL, Charlie was made available for adoption and quickly found his new home where he has settled in and thriving!

A Resource for Animals in Need

ARL is thrilled for the opportunity to provide Charlie with the resources he needed to overcome a difficult situation and to find him the loving home he deserves.

ARL routinely works with animal control officers from around the Commonwealth in a variety of ways, including taking in animals like Charlie.

From assisting on animal rescues, providing intake for overcrowding or other situations involving large numbers of animals, or taking in stray or lost animals, animal control officers know that ARL is always ready, willing, and able to help in any way possible and that the animals will receive high-quality care and the resources they need to thrive in the next chapters of their lives.

Alleged dog fighting operation housed approximately 275 dogs

Late last week the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) received a special transport of three dogs from the national organization the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) that were rescued from a large alleged dog fighting operation in South Carolina that was raided by federal officials in September of 2022.

ARL is privileged to welcome these dogs and give them the lives and homes they truly deserve.

The female dogs range from 2-3-years-old, and have received thorough medical examinations upon arrival at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Frida connecting with ARL staff.

Frida is one of three dogs that ARL recently took in.

Meet Birch!

Meet Sadiri!

Aside from scars that are typical of dogs that have suffered in this type of situation, one dog did need a mass removed, one dog required the extraction of several teeth, and one dog will need ongoing medication for allergies that have caused skin irritation.

The dogs are friendly, but given the circumstances they came from, they are understandably nervous around new people, however, ARL staff and volunteers are continuously working with the animals to increase their confidence and comfort level around people.

With the trauma behind them, ARL is looking forward to finding these resilient dogs the homes they deserve, and encourage potential adopters to learn more about them.

ARL wishes to thank HSUS for their efforts in rescuing these dogs, and for collaborating with ARL to help these dogs into the next phase of their lives.

Case Background

On September 25, 2022, HSUS assisted the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Office of the Inspector General to seize approximately 275 from multiple properties in the Columbia, South Carolina area as part of an ongoing investigation by the USDA, OIG, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

The conditions these animals were living in were horrific, with many dogs living in pens or chained to trees with barrels or makeshift shelter serving as their only protection from the elements. The dogs were suffering from a variety of injuries typically found in dog fighting situations including severe scarring, festering open wounds, lacerations, abscesses, and broken bones consistent with multiple bite wounds.

Additionally, many of the dogs were found to be dehydrated, underweight or emaciated, and infested with fleas and other parasites.

Most of the dogs were adults, however, there were multiple nursing litters of puppies removed from the properties as well.

While a portion of the 275 dogs have been surrendered and can now be placed for adoption, many are still receiving care in confidential locations while the court process determines custody.

The Animal Welfare Act makes it a felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison to fight dogs or to possess, train, sell, buy, deliver, receive, or transport dogs intended for use in dogfighting.