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It’s World Rabies Day!

Today marks World Rabies Day, a day to raise awareness about the public health impacts of human and animal rabies.

Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all mammals, including humans, and kills nearly 60,000 worldwide annually.

The virus attacks the central nervous system and can be secreted in saliva. Infected animals show no fear of humans, drool and act in an agitated fashion.

While we mostly associate rabies to wild animals – mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes, and foxes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), cats have become the most common domestic animal infected with rabies.

Vaccination

Rabies vaccines are approved for dogs, cats, ferrets, horses, cattle, and sheep – and vaccination is the best measure to prevent rabies.

Every dog, cat, and ferret adopted from the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is vaccinated for rabies, however, it’s important to remember that after receiving an initial vaccination, your pet will need boosters.

Boosters are administered every year, or every 3 years, depending on which vaccine your pet receives.

It’s also important to remember that rabies vaccination in Massachusetts is the law!

To help ensure your pets are vaccinated, ARL’s Dedham and Brewster locations host rabies clinics annually, and for clients of either ARL’s Spay Waggin’ or Wellness Waggin’, rabies vaccines, if needed, are included for every pet seen.

ARL vaccinates thousands of animals annually!

Additional Prevention

Along with having your pet vaccinated, some other measures to prevent rabies exposure include:

  • Do not let your pets roam free. Keep cats indoors, and keep an eye on your pup when they are outside
  • Do not leave exposed garbage or pet food outside – it may attract wild or stray animals
  • Observe wild animals from a distance, and never handle unfamiliar animals, even if they appear friendly
  • If you see a wild animal acting strangely, contact your local animal control officer

Take a moment today to see if your pet’s rabies vaccine is up-to-date, and help us spread the word about World Rabies Day to ensure you, your family, and your pets stay safe from the rabies virus.

Cat with Chronic Skin Issues Finds Her Home

“Nala” diagnosed with rare autoimmune skin condition

Skin issues are just one aspect of what the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) shelter medicine staff diagnoses and treats on a daily basis, but for Nala, a 6-year-old Himalayan-Lynx-mix cat, her skin condition was bit more complicated than normal, leading to a nearly 8-month-stay with ARL.

Nala was surrendered to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center in March 2021, and presented with a number of skin lesions on her head, ears, and paws.

After x-rays, a biopsy, and wound debridement, Nala was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called pemphigus foliaceus (PF).

For Nala, her condition was causing her immune system to attack the upper skin layers, causing the lesions. But while autoimmune skin disease is rare in cats, it is treatable.

Nala’s initial course of treatment included medication, medicated wipes, and medicated foot baths.

She was then placed into foster care and over the next several months her condition began to improve with treatment, as the lesions healed and her fur grew back.

Nala required frequent veterinary visits, nearly two dozen, but by September, her condition was under control with medication, and was at the point where she could find a new home.

A Special Home

While PF is something that can be controlled or brought into remission with treatment, the condition is chronic, and is something Nala likely have to treat for the rest of her life.

Daily immunosuppressive drugs are needed to keep Nala’s PF in check, however because these types of medications limit the immune system to fully function as it should, Nala is prone to secondary infection, which could lead to further treatment.

Because of this, Nala will need frequent trips to the veterinarian to ensure her long-term health.

But her condition and ongoing treatment did not stop her from finding a wonderful home, as Nala found her new family this past week!

Help Animals Like Nala

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is an unwavering champion for animals in need, however in order to provide emergency treatment for animals like Nala, ARL relies on the compassion and support from people like YOU.

Nala’s chronic condition is under control after months of treatment, but there are countless animals out there that will need ARL’s help at some point in the future and we cannot do this work alone.

Whether it’s a one-time donation or joining more than 840 others to contribute monthly, click here to see all the ways you can join ARL to support animals in need today, tomorrow, and in the future.

ARL Caring for Stray Kitten with Traumatic Injuries

Kitten was likely entangled in fence

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for a 13-week-old former stray kitten that is beginning a long road to recovery, due to suffering traumatic injuries.

The kitten was discovered on the side of the road in Dorchester last week, and seeing the kitten was in extreme pain and distress, the finder brought the kitten to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

ARL’s shelter medicine staff carefully examined the kitten, now named Nick, who was yowling and scratching due to his pain, and surmised his injuries were caused by being entangled in a fence and/or an embedded collar.

The kitten suffered deep abrasions and fur loss around his neck and front paws and a piece of wire was also removed from the back of his neck. An ARL veterinarian treated his wounds and is also fostering the kitten to monitor his condition and recovery.

As his pain has subsided, he is beginning to show a fantastic personality and ARL is grateful for the opportunity to care for him and give him the chance at the life he deserves.

There is no time table on when Nick will be well enough to find a new home, and he is currently not available for adoption.

Help Animals Like Nick

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is an unwavering champion for animals in need, however in order to provide emergency treatment for animals like Nick, ARL relies on the compassion and support from people like YOU.

Nick is on the mend, but there are countless animals out there that will need ARL’s help at some point in the future and we cannot do this work alone.

Whether it’s a one-time donation or joining more than 840 others to contribute monthly, click here to see all the ways you can join ARL to support animals in need today, tomorrow, and in the future.

September is Champions Circle Month!

And we’re celebrating our Champions all month long.

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

As we continue to navigate the pandemic, this type of support is vital and we are so grateful.


To our current Champions Circle members,

Thank you!

Click here to see a list of our members

Not yet a member? Now is the perfect time to join the over 840 compassionate people who are already a part of this amazing group!

 

While it is difficult to predict the ongoing impact of this pandemic, one thing remains constant – animals in Massachusetts are still in need. 

And when disaster strikes, Champions Circle members are there to answer the call for help.

Champions Circle members provide the unwavering support that sustains life-saving measures and second chances for animals all year long.

By becoming a Champions Circle member today, you are ensuring that animals in need will the care they deserve, even during difficult times.


Will you help us reach our goal of 50 new members?

I WANT TO JOIN!

Why does monthly giving matter?

 

    • The effects of the pandemic continue to reverberate throughout our community. Pets and the people who love them are still in need, and your support is critical to helping them.
    • 60% of ARL’s funding comes in during the last quarter of the year- and most of it during the last 2 weeks in December – yet animals need help every day. Monthly support from Champions Circle donors provides animals with care and assistance when they need it most.
    • Monthly giving is a convenient, affordable, and efficient way to make a difference in the lives of animals in our community.
    • Spreading out your donation in smaller increments throughout the year makes your giving budget work harder and creates an even bigger impact for animals.

Join by September 30 and receive an exclusive 2022 wall calendar!

Each September, we send members an exclusive wall calendar featuring some of the many success stories that their monthly support made possible.

 And, when you join the Champions Circle before the end of the month, we will send one to you so you can look forward to 2022 with uplifting adoption stories and joyful photos!


JOIN TODAY AND GET YOUR CALENDAR!

The calendar is a special gift that portrays the incredible impact of this community of dedicated supporters. It’s a small token of our appreciation for their unwavering support of animals in need.

 

In addition to the calendar, you can expect:

Champions circle gifts

What your monthly gifts mean for animals in need:

Champions Circle symbolic gifts

Don’t miss your chance to get your calendar by signing up for monthly giving before midnight on Thursday, September 30, 2021!

It’s easy to join…

  • Use our secure online form by clicking here
  • Call Derek at (617) 426-9170 x162 to set up your monthly gift over the phone
Banfield Foundation® Grant to Supply ARL Wellness Waggin’ with Vital Medications

Grant of $12,000 to ensure pets stay healthy

 Boston, MA (August 26, 2021) – The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) announced today a $12,000 grant investment from the Banfield Foundation®, to support their lifesaving work for animals in the Greater Boston area.

The generous Community Care Grant will offset the cost of medications and supplies for ARL’s Wellness Waggin’, and will help treat owned pets in the Greater Boston area for approximately 64 clinic days. The Banfield Foundation is also donating 1,852 doses of First Shield flea product to be provided for Wellness Waggin’ clients.

Additionally, the Jim Parker Charitable Trust helped increase the impact of the generous grant award by contributing $5,000 specifically for medications and drugs for approximately 34 clinic days.

Muenca being examined by ARL vet

ARL Veterinarian, Dr. Hannah Donnelly examines Muenca at the Mattapan Wellness Waggin’ site.

“The Animal Rescue League of Boston is grateful to the Banfield Foundation and the Jim Parker Charitable Trust for their generosity,” said Dr. Edward Schettino, ARL President and CEO. “ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ provides accessible and affordable pet wellness services and this grant will allow the program to have an even greater impact in the Greater Boston communities we serve.”

In 2020, ARL’s community programs provided a multitude of services including spay/neuter, vaccinations, and general wellness care to more than 4,000 animals in Greater Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts.

For more information about ARL’s Wellness Waggin’, visit arlboston.org/wellness-waggin.

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About the Banfield Foundation®
At the core of the Banfield Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the belief that all pets deserve access to veterinary care. In support of this belief, the foundation funds programs that enable veterinary care, elevate the power of the human-animal bond, provide disaster relief for pets, and advance the science of veterinary medicine through fostering innovation and education. It also leverages the expertise and passion of Banfield Pet Hospital associates to care for pets in need. At the Banfield Foundation, we are committed to making a better world for pets because they make a better world for us. For more information, visit BanfieldFoundation.org

ARL Field Services Assists Cat Caregiver

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently took in more than three dozen cats from a residence in Eastern Massachusetts, while working with the caregiver to be able to keep a more manageable number of animals in the home.

Concerned friends of the caregiver reached out to ARL’s Field Services for assistance, and with any situation involving a large number of animals, the concern for ARL is not only for the animals involved, but for the caregiver as well.

With that many animals in the home, daily care can become overwhelming.

The cats were signed over to ARL and were transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, where they received thorough veterinary exams, were vaccinated, and spayed and neutered.

Additionally, more than half the cats required extensive dental procedures to keep them healthy and happy.

Cats from these types of situations do have the tendency to be nervous around new people, and ARL’s behavioral team worked extensively with these animals to not only assess their behavior, but worked to socialize and get these cats ready for new homes.

While the bulk of the animals have found new homes, several do remain with ARL for behavioral reasons, however it is expected that by the time the calendar turns to fall, all cats involved in this situation will have found their new homes.

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.

While the bulk of the animals in this situation were removed from the home, ARL is pleased that the caregiver was able to keep a small number of cats and will remain available in the future for any concerns or issues.

For more information about ARL’s Field Services Department, including contact information, click here!

ARL Assists Randolph Police in Animal Cruelty Investigation

ARL Caring for 20 Puppies, 4 Adult Dogs Removed from Home 

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Law Enforcement Department were recently contacted by police in Randolph, MA, to assist in the removal of two dozen dogs, mostly puppies, who were living in unsanitary conditions.

Randolph Police entered the home and found its interior to be in a state of squalor with animal waste throughout.

Inside the home, officers located four adult dogs and 20 puppies allegedly living in unsanitary conditions without adequate access to food and water.

ARL’s Law Enforcement Department was immediately contacted and responded to the scene, coordinating with ARL Field Services to remove the dogs and transport them to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

In all, one male and three female dogs that are approximately two to four years of age, and 20 puppies ranging from two to four months old — all believed to be Pitbull-type dogs — were removed from the home.

ARL’s shelter medicine team has examined the dogs. One puppy, a 4-month-old male, was determined to have a broken leg and will remain in ARL’s care until healed.

Umbilical hernias have been detected in some of the dogs, which will require surgery before adoption and some of the animals have heart murmurs. The dogs have been placed into foster care and are not currently available for adoption.

It is expected that most the dogs will be ready to find new homes within a few weeks.

“The Animal Rescue of Boston cannot commend Randolph Police and Animal Control enough,” stated ARL Law Enforcement Senior Investigator Lt. Alan Borgal. “Everyone involved in this situation demonstrated a high level of professionalism, compassion and the steadfast commitment to removing these animals from the residence quickly and getting them the care they needed.”

Randolph Police Commander Robert Emerson said, “We are pleased to have been able to remove these animals from the poor conditions they were living in. I would like to thank the ARL Law Enforcement and Field Services teams for their quick response and assistance at the scene, as well as the shelter medicine teams and foster care network for their dedication to caring for the dogs. I would also like to praise our responding officers who were called to the house on an unrelated issue and noticed that the situation the animals were living in was not acceptable.”

How You Can Help

Animals saved from these situations can have many complex health and behavior issues.

They’re sick, frightened, and in desperate need of love and kindness.

They will need extraordinary care and you can give them their best chance to recover.

Your emergency gift today can support:

    • Veterinary care and rehabilitation for the sudden influx of animals that have suffered the trauma of neglect
    • On-going investigations of cruelty to pursue justice for animals
    • Emergency response when crisis strikes and animals are in dire need

This work cannot be done alone and animals urgently need your help now.

Click here to donate and help these animals in their recovery and thank you!

Stray Cat Hit by Car, Receives Treatment and Finds New Home

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) found a home for a friendly stray cat, who had likely been hit by a car and needed emergency treatment.

The two-year-old cat, named Baby, was reported to ARL by a Good Samaritan in Boston’s South End who discovered the cat and realized she needed help.

An ARL Law Enforcement Department senior investigator rushed to pick up the cat and transport her back to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center for emergency care.

Upon arrival, Baby’s face was bloodied and displayed lameness in her front limbs and also suffered some facial bruising.

X-Rays also revealed a pneumothorax, a condition where air escapes the lungs and becomes trapped in the chest cavity – this can be a common injury following being hit by a car.

ARL’s shelter medicine team performed a procedure to remove the trapped air, making Baby comfortable, and over a period of about a week continued to recheck her and chart her progress.

In order to have a quiet place to heal, Baby was placed into foster care and as she recovered, she showed to be extremely affectionate and sweet and recovered from her ordeal quickly.

Baby was so affectionate, that her foster family decided to adopt her, and she is acclimating to her new home very well!

Here for Emergency Care

ARL wants to thank the Good Samaritan who showed extreme compassion in realizing that Baby was in trouble, and for contacting ARL for help.

If Baby had not received emergency treatment, the pneumothorax would likely have worsened and she may not have made it on her own.

ARL reminds the public that if you come across an animal like Baby in distress, to contact ARL’s Field Services Department at 617-426-9170 (press option 1) immediately, as every second counts in an emergency situation!

ARL Caring for 2 Puppies Who Lost Mom

Mom dog died from complications 2 weeks after giving birth

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for two puppies who sadly lost their mother just two weeks after being born. The pups, who will soon be available for adoption, were surrendered and initially needed round-the-clock care.

To see local news coverage on this story click here!

Just two-weeks-old when they were surrendered back in June, the Parson Russell Terrier puppies were placed into foster care with a dedicated ARL volunteer and foster parent, and initially required bottle feedings every four hours round-the-clock, as nourishment is critical at that stage of life.

Additionally, because the puppies no longer had mom to rely on, they needed constant monitoring to ensure their health and safety.

“It’s very important to wake them every four hours and give them the nourishment that they need because they are very vulnerable at that stage,” foster parent Margy Ronna said to WCVB. “Then after a couple of weeks they are ready to learn how to walk and run, and their exercise area needs to be bigger.”

Very rarely does ARL see puppies this age, however this was a special situation born out of tragedy after their mother passed likely due to birth complications, and ARL was ready to take on the challenge to allow the puppies to grow and thrive.

Now at 7 weeks old, the puppies have made tremendous progress, are transitioning to solid food and are well on their way to happy and healthy lives.

Please note: the puppies are currently not available for adoption.

ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ Reaches Milestone

Mobile veterinary clinic completes 5,000th appointment

In service for just two years, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Wellness Waggin’ reached an important milestone this past week, completing its 5,000th appointment!

Cutting the ribbon for the Wellness Waggin’ in July 2019.

The Wellness Waggin’ was unveiled in July 2019, and was critical in expanding ARL’s community veterinary services.

Working in partnership with Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), the Wellness Waggin’ was deployed at ABCD locations in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan, areas in Greater Boston in dire need of accessible and affordable veterinary services.

Additionally, beginning in the fall of 2020, the Wellness Waggin’ also began to serve the East Boston community as well.

“This is a fantastic milestone,” said Dr. Edward Schettino, ARL President and CEO. “ARL’s expansion of community veterinary services began as a pilot program in 2017, and to see how much its grown is a direct result of the need for accessible and affordable veterinary services, and ARL’s commitment to bringing services directly into communities where they’re needed most.”

For $10, Wellness Waggin’ pet clients receive:

  • Physical exam
  • Rabies vaccine
  • Distemper vaccine
  • Flea treatment
  • Microchip

In a traditional veterinary clinic setting these services would run upwards of $300.

The Wellness Waggin’ has been and will continue to be a vital resource for the aforementioned communities, and is critical to fulfil ARL’s mission to keep pets and people together.

Spay Waggin’ Reaches 65,000 Surgeries

ARL’s Spay Waggin’, a mobile surgical clinic, also reached a milestone recently, completing its 65,000th surgery!

The Spay Waggin’ program began in 2000 and currently serves clients on the South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as East Boston.

Having your pet spayed or neutered is important for a number of reasons, but it can also be cost-prohibitive for many pet owners.

The Spay Waggin’ offers low-cost spay/neuter services, and also partners with the Massachusetts Animal Fund’s Voucher Program, which covers the cost of the surgery for qualified pet owners.

Need an Appointment?

If you live in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan or East Boston and are in need of Wellness Waggin’ services, click here for more information and to book an appointment!

For the Spay Waggin’, call 1-877-590-SPAY (7729) to make an appointment, and click here for more information on all the services the Spay Waggin’ provides!