fbpx
Category: Boston
Home / Adoption /
Rescued Neonatal Kittens Find New Homes

Neonatal kittens raised by surrogate mother cat

A pair of neonatal kittens who were saved by the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and just a day old when they were found in a driveway in Hyde Park have defied the odds and are now ready to find their permanent homes, thanks in large part to the care provided by a surrogate mother cat.

It was a hot July day when a resident discovered the neonatal kittens in a driveway, and shocked by the discovery, contacted ARL’s Field Services for assistance.

It’s unknown whether the mother cat had abandoned the kittens or that something had happened to her.

ARL responded quickly, rescued the kittens, and brought them to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center for critical care and treatment.

At approximately one-day-old, the kittens were literally helpless.

The umbilical cords were still attached, their eyes were closed and were far too young to care for themselves.

While initially bottle-feeding the kittens, a long-term solution was needed.

ARL did have a young cat in foster care who had given birth a couple of weeks prior, and ARL staff introduced the idea of seeing if the cat, named Victoria, could serve as a surrogate mother to the kittens.

The kittens were introduced to Victoria, who immediately took them in, and for next nine weeks, cared for them as if they were her own.

The kittens, now named Willie Nelson and George Strait, are happy, healthy and ready to find their new homes at ARL’s Dedham facility.

The pair also made fast friends with their adoptive brother Tim McGraw, who is also looking for his new home.

The stars aligned for these two kittens, and ARL is thrilled that they will now have the opportunity to live the long lives they deserve.

ARL’s Community Cat Program

At ARL, we are focused on community cats; those that live outdoors and are unowned, but are a part of our local communities.

It is important to remember that cats living in community colonies are not all considered “feral” but consist of a combination of feral, shy, and friendly stray cats all living together.

Previously, the animal welfare term “feral” was often associated with “bad cats” or “other cats.”

While feral cats are different in the sense that they have not been properly socialized with humans, they are biologically the same as owned house cats.

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. 

It is estimated that over 700,000 cats roam free in Massachusetts with 70,000 in Boston alone.

Our Rescue Agents will respond to the call of residents who report a colony of cats, investigating the colony to determine the number of cats and kittens residing in that area, the cats’ overall health status, and whether or not a local resident is feeding them regularly and can continue.

After the initial assessment, a TNR (Trap-Neuter- Return) plan is formulated for that particular colony.

TNR is one of the most humane and effective ways to stop the cycle of homelessness among cats.

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.

Future Focus: Strategic Plan Goal 6

Invest in our infrastructure.

Objective

Enhance the capacity of ARL’s facilities to respond to the current and future needs of animals and pet owners in our community.

Vision in Action

ARL is thrilled to announce that we are rebuilding our Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center and Boston Veterinary Care at our current location of 10 Chandler Street in the South End.

This project will advance ARL’s mission of being an unwavering champion for over 20,000 animals each year. It is a significant opportunity for our historic 125-year-old organization to provide animals with the highest standards of care to help them heal and thrive, advance pet health and well-being through exceptional veterinary care and dog training, keep people and pets together, and improve the lives of animals.

ARL is building a state-of-the-art facility to benefit the animals we care for, while also ensuring we reach as many pets and people as possible through our services for pet owners living in Greater Boston.

Learn more about ARL’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan for the Future.

ARL to Recognize Truro Resident with Animal Advocate Award

Animal Advocate Award winners exemplify compassion and commitment to advance ARL’s mission

During its upcoming Paws to Celebrate event at Truro Vineyards, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) will be recognizing a Truro resident for his exceptional involvement in promoting ARL’s mission to help animals on Cape Cod and beyond.

Brian Hyde.

ARL’s Animal Advocate Award honors distinguished philanthropists and compassionate organizations who have made outstanding contributions to ARL and actively advance the well-being of animals in our community.

ARL is thrilled to recognize longtime Truro resident Brian Hyde with this award for exemplifying exceptional dedication and enduring support of animals in need.

Brian is a committed connector and champion of the cause on Cape Cod and beyond!

Brian consistently shows the power of building community and has set a powerful example of how one person can make a difference, creating a ripple effect of kindness that will leave a lasting legacy for countless animals.

“Brian’s passion, compassion, and tireless efforts have made him a true champion for animals,” state ARL Vice President of Development, Jackie Smith. “We are honored to recognize him with our Animal Advocate Award.”

ARL will present Brian with his award on Thursday, September 5, during its annual Paws to Celebrate event at Truro Vineyards, which is a gathering of like-minded ARL supporters to celebrate their contributions and see first-hand how their support and involvement is helping animals in need, and the people who care for them.

ARL Rescues Cat in Tree in Brighton, Reunites Cat with Owner

Owner of cat in tree on-scene during rescue

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department rescued a cat in a tree in a Brighton neighborhood and were able to reunite the animal with the owner who was on-scene during the rescue.

A property owner in the Oak Square neighborhood contacted ARL about a cat who had found its way up a tree and was unable to get itself down, with ARL’s Field Services team responding quickly to safely get the animal down from the tree.

While it was initially unknown whether or not the cat was owned, the cat’s owner found out that ARL was responding to a cat stuck in a tree and was on-scene when ARL arrived.

Turns out Mitsy had gotten out a few days earlier.

Utilizing climbing ropes, ARL’s Field Services agent scaled the tree approximately 25 feet off the ground, and was able to coax the visibly frightened cat safely into a carrier and return the cat to solid ground.

Mitsy was reunited with his grateful owner, and quickly resettled into his home.

About Field Services

As part of its Community Outreach programs, ARL’s Field Services provide technical (tree climbing and swift/ice water) and non-technical rescues for injured domestic animals – including community cats – livestock, and raptors (turkey vultures, ospreys, hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls).

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

To contact Field Services, please call (617) 426-9170 x563. Field Services’ hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30AM – 5:30PM.

ARL Rescues Entangled Red-Tailed Hawk with Assistance from Newton Fire Department

Rescued hawk caught in golf course netting

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department responded to a Newton golf course after receiving a report of a red-tailed hawk that had become entangled in protective netting along the course.

The incident unfolded at the Woodland Golf Club around noon on Wednesday, with the Newton Fire Department and ARL responding to collaboratively rescue the hawk, who was approximately 50 feet off the ground.

Newton Fire had responded with a ladder truck, and after assessing the scene, a firefighter guided an ARL agent up the ladder and together were able to free the hawk and place the animal into a carrier for transport.

ARL is grateful to Newton Fire for its response by expediting a speedy rescue, increasing the safety of all personnel on-scene and helping lessen the stress of the hawk.

The hawk, who had been trapped for approximately 12 hours, appeared uninjured but was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation hospital as a precaution.

“Huge thanks to the Animal Rescue League of Boston and Newton Firefighters on quickly rescuing the red-tailed hawk caught in netting,” stated Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller. “Well done!”

See local news coverage of this rescue, including a video.

About Field Services

As part of its Community Outreach programs, ARL’s Field Services provide technical (tree climbing and swift/ice water) and non-technical rescues for injured domestic animals – including community cats – livestock, and raptors (turkey vultures, ospreys, hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls).

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

To contact Field Services, please call (617) 426-9170 x563. Field Services’ hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 9:30AM – 5:30PM.

Lost Cat Found at Logan Airport Brought to ARL, Returned to Owner

Microchip led to reunification with lost cat and owner

On Thursday, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) was able to reunite a lost cat that was found at Logan International Airport with his family, thanks to two things – two Massport employees and a microchip.

The 8-year-old cat named Harry, was spotted in a garage on airport property by two employees, and while they contacted ARL for assistance, the cat was very friendly and the employees were able to corral the animal into a box for transport to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Once at ARL, Harry was given a veterinary exam, and because he was microchipped, ARL was able to contact the owner who was overjoyed that he had been found.

Turns out that Harry had been missing since late July, and while his family was searching and assumed he was wandering somewhere close to his home in Somerville, in reality he wound up nearly 10 miles away!

The now former lost cat was reunited with his family on Thursday, and is now settling back into his home.

This situation is a perfect reminder of the importance of having pets microchipped.

A microchip drastically increases the likelihood of being reunited should they become lost, and ARL urges all pet owners to have their pets microchipped if they have not already done so.

ARL wishes to thank Massport and its two employees for recognizing an animal in distress and taking action, which directly led to Harry finding his way back home.

Microchip Critical to Upping Odds of Being Reunited with a Lost Pet

There are pet holidays scattered throughout the calendar year, and today is National Check the Chip Day, highlighting an important aspect when talking about tools, in this instance the microchip, to use should your pet go missing.

According to the American Humane Association, approximately 10 million dogs and cats are lost or stolen in the United States annually – and about one in every three pets will go missing at some point in their lives.

While the reasons pets go missing are numerous, there is one measure you can take that drastically increases the likelihood of being reunited with your beloved pet – microchipping.

A microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice that is programmed with an identification number unique to your pet. It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and lasts the life of your pet with no maintenance required.

A study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found that just 22 percent of lost dogs and less than two percent of lost cats that entered animal shelters were reunited with their families. However, for animals that were microchipped, the return-to-owner rate for dogs was more than 52 percent, and more than 38 percent for microchipped cats!

The numbers speak for themselves, microchipping increases your chances that you will get your pet back if it becomes lost or stolen.

But, it should not be the only part of your lost pet strategy. Collars with up-to-date tags are the main form of identification and the quickest way to identify a found pet.

Pepe was missing for nearly two years, but thanks to a microchip he’s now back home.

Tags and microchips are only useful if the contact and registration information is current! Make sure to check the information annually to keep everything up-to-date.

Bottom line, microchipping is effective and at ARL, we have seen numerous animals reunited with their owners thanks to a microchip.

Recently, ARL took in a 15-year-old stray cat who did have a microchip.

Thankfully, the contact information was correct, and the owner of the cat was overjoyed when contacted as the cat had been missing for nearly two years!

Thanks to having a microchip, the cat is now back in his loving home where he belongs.

In that moment of realization that a pet has gone missing, it’s important to stay calm, and take immediate action by following these 5 steps to increase the likelihood of a happy reunion with your pet: 

  • Call your local Animal Control Officer of the town where you live, and of the town that your pet went missing in.
  • File a lost report with the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) either in person, over the phone, or online. This lost report is seen by all three ARL locations. The staff will ask you to provide a photo of your pet.
  • Contact your pet’s microchip company if your pet has one, to notify them that your pet is lost. Be sure to confirm that your contact information is current.
  • File a lost report with every shelter within a 60-mile radius of where your pet went missing. Oftentimes, concerned citizens will pick up a stray pet they see on the side of the road and bring it to a shelter that is close to their destination instead of close to where they found the animal.
  • Don’t give up! Many pets go missing for months before being reunited with their owners. Stay positive, stay vigilant and continue to search for them as long as you can.

Additionally, You can also reach out to local missing pet groups online – Missing Dogs Massachusetts has a large following on Facebook and the more eyes you have looking for your pet the better!

While you may feel helpless when a pet goes missing, remember you are not alone. Networking with other animal lovers to help in your search increases your chances of having your beloved pet returned safe and sound.

ARL Rescues Stray Kitten Trapped Below Fall River Boardwalk

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 Kitten Discovered in Car Engine Compartment

Stray Kitten Now in the Care of ARL

This past week, a nine-week-old stray kitten was brought to the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center after a car mechanic discovered the little guy hiding in the engine compartment of a vehicle.

Once the kitten was discovered at Mavis Tire and Brakes, Dedham Animal Control was contacted and the officer was able to safely capture the kitten, thus ending his harrowing adventure.

Thankfully the kitten was not injured or burned while the car was in motion.

After a little clean-up to remove the motor oil from his fur, the kitten, now named Mavis, was transported to ARL to undergo a veterinary exam and be placed into foster care until he’s old enough to find a loving home.

Although timid, Mavis is a sweet and friendly kitten, who is sure to be a wonderful companion animal and will now be an indoor-only cat to avoid future car adventures.

It’s unknown how Mavis ended up in the engine compartment, but it’s likely he was spooked by something and was seeking a seemingly safe place to hide.

During the winter it’s common to come across an animal in an engine compartment as outdoor cats are drawn to the warmth.

However, it is very uncommon to find an animal in this precarious position during the summer months, and ARL would like to thank Dedham Animal Control and Mavis Tire and Brakes for finding and rescuing this animal who will soon begin the next chapter of his life.

Herb Chambers Partners with ARL for Too Hot for Spot® Campaign

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and Herb Chambers welcomed members of the media to ARL’s Dedham Campus for a hot car demonstration as part of ARL’s annual Too Hot for Spot® safety campaign, which has educated pet owners about summer safety for a decade.

Herb Chambers is the newest community partner to join ARL in spreading this important summer pet safety message, and ARL continues to be grateful to the New England Revolution, Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation for their ongoing support.

ARL is thrilled to have the well-known car magnate and animal lover lend his voice to highlight the importance of keeping our pets safe when the mercury rises.

Additionally, several Herb Chambers dealerships will soon be displaying Too Hot for Spot® materials, to further amplify the message.

ARL is marking 10 years of the Too Hot for Spot® campaign, but unfortunately, we are still seeing plenty of instances where an animal’s life is put in danger due to being left in a hot vehicle, several of which have happened in just the past month.

With temperatures this summer being well above average, it’s imperative this message reaches as many pet owners as possible.

Leaving an animal in a hot car is the number one cause of deadly heatstroke in pets.

When temperatures rise, so do concerns about animal safety.

Even when the mercury dips below 80 degrees, the threat of heat stroke still exists.

Within five minutes, a vehicle’s interior temperature can rise above 118 degrees on a 75-degree day, even with the windows cracked.

During this week’s hot car demonstration, with outside temperatures around 90 degrees, after a thermometer was placed in an ARL vehicle, it took less than three minutes for the interior temperature of the vehicle to reach nearly 120 degrees!

Learn more about important pet safety tips and guidelines and remember — when the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®!