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Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society® Spotlight: Pam Chatis

Pam Chatis is running out of ways to support the Animal Rescue League of Boston! She is a volunteer, monthly donor,
and member of the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society®. In addition to her work with ARL, Pam also volunteers with the House Rabbit Network of Westwood and Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum.

Those who know Pam can attest that she is a busy bee. After obtaining her PhD in Virology and completing a post-doc fellowship at MIT, she worked for many years studying molecular virology and infectious diseases. She was also a competitive athlete and avid runner before an injury forced her to slow down — though clearly not in spirit. Even in retirement, she maintains a rigorous schedule, dedicating her time to the causes closest to her heart.

Pam’s journey with ARL began over 26 years ago when she made her first donation after seeing a story about our Wildlife and Rescue (now known as Field Services) department. ARL’s work with facilitating wildlife rescue was near and dear to Pam’s heart. Growing up in the rural Worcester area, Pam would often come across sick or injured squirrels and chipmunks and would help care for and rehabilitate them.

In addition to the wild critters she cared for, Pam’s family also had pet Beagles, rabbits, and parakeets. This foundational experience helped rabbits become her “heart animal.” Pam believes that they are often overlooked in comparison to cats and dogs, especially because rabbits are sometimes considered livestock and not given the same considerations as their larger, fluffier, companion animal counterparts.

This empathy for rabbits and other small animals has made Pam an incredible asset to our “smallies” team of volunteers here at ARL. “Smallies” is the affectionate term for small animals like rabbits, mice, hamsters, and guinea pigs used by our staff and volunteers. Pam also spends valuable time with cats demonstrating behavioral challenges such as fearfulness and aggression.

Though she has only been a volunteer with ARL for a little over a year, her impact has been tremendous. Pam’s knowledge, dedication, and patience has helped many of our shelter animals to turn a corner behaviorally, blossoming from frightened and angry to calm, loving, and most importantly, adoptable. By going at their own pace and earning their trust, Pam enables our most vulnerable animals to find the loving homes they deserve.

As a member of the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society®, Pam’s planned gift will help ensure her impact will continue beyond her worldly years. We are extremely honored to have Pam as part of our organization now and forever, due to her generous legacy gift.

Did you know August is National Make-A-Will Month?

Just as animals have touched your life, you can forever touch the lives of animals by including the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) in your Will. Learn how to leave your print and make more than a lifetime of impact for animals.

When you include ARL in your Will or other plans, you become a member of the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society® and join the company of compassionate supporters like Pam, who want their dedication to the well-being of animals to continue long into the future.

Have you included, or are you thinking of including ARL in your Will? Let us know so we can thank you! Please contact Jackie.

ARL Reminds Pet Owners to Keep Pets Safe During Heat Wave

Heat wave with high humidity poses threats to pet health

With an oppressive heat wave poised to settle into the area over the next few days, a wide swath of Massachusetts will be under a heat advisory, while the City of Boston has issued a heat emergency, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is reminding pet owners to take measures to keep pets comfortable and safe during this time.

Keep your pet safe and healthy by following these important basic guidelines:

  • Prevention is always your best bet. Whenever possible, leave your pet at home in a cool humidity and temperature-regulated room.
  • If your pet must be outdoors, find a shady spot with ample air flow to prevent overheating.
  • Hydration is key, so keep a bowl of cold water accessible at all times.
  • Limit exercise to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are at their coolest. Aside from the heat, the high humidity can cause respiratory issues for animals, particularly short-snouted animals (i.e. pugs).
  • Be mindful of surface temperatures. Asphalt, concrete, or brick surfaces absorb heat and surface temperatures can exceed 145 degrees can cause severe burns to your pet’s paws! Apply the 7-second rule – place the back of your hand on a surface and if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet.
  • When the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®! Never leave your pet alone in a parked car — even with the air conditioner on or the windows cracked.

It is illegal in Massachusetts to keep an animal confined in a vehicle during extreme hot or cold conditions, and when a weather advisory is issued, it is also illegal to keep dogs tethered for longer than five hours in a 24-hour period.

Dogs also cannot be tethered outdoors between 10 PM and 6 AM, unless for not more than 15 minutes and when the owner/keeper is present.

ARL Teams with NE Revolution, Mass State Police, MassDot, RMV for Too Hot for Spot® Demonstration

When the Temperature Rises – It’s Too Hot for Spot®!

As New England continues to see extremely hot summer conditions, this week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) teamed up with the New England Revolution, Massachusetts State Police (MSP), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDot), and the Registry of Motor Vehicles, for ARL’s 10th annual summer safety campaign, Too Hot for Spot®, to remind pet owners about the dangers of leaving an animal in a hot car.

ARL hosted a press event at the organization’s Dedham Campus, which included a demonstration of how quickly the interior of a vehicle can heat up.

A large thermometer was placed in a vehicle by Slyde, the NE Revolution’s mascot, and with an outside temperature of 80 degrees, in less than 10 minutes the interior temperature of the vehicle soared to over 115 degrees!

Unlike humans, animals cannot efficiently cool their bodies.

And if you think that cracking the windows will help keep your pet cool – it won’t.

As demonstrated, the inside of a vehicle can heat up to well over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes, and the stifling heat inside a car makes animals susceptible to heat stroke, and the onset of symptoms is rapid.

Common symptoms of heat stroke in animals include lethargy or weakness, heavy panting, glazed eyes, profuse salivation, excessive thirst, lack of coordination, a deep red or purple tongue, vomiting – and it can even cause seizures, unconsciousness, or death.

With the onset of heat stroke, every second counts, so if your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is critical that you take them immediately to the closest veterinary hospital for treatment.

Health hazards aside, it is also against the law in Massachusetts to keep an animal confined in a vehicle when extreme heat or cold may threaten the animal’s health – and law enforcement throughout the Commonwealth will be on the lookout throughout the summer.

Please, when it is hot outside, leave your pet at home.

Set them up in a cool, humidity and temperature-controlled room, give them plenty of water, and make sure to limit their outdoor exercise to the morning or evening hours when it is coolest.

Learn more about summer pet safety tips.

Thank You

ARL would like to thank the New England Revolution, Massachusetts State Police, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and Registry of Motor Vehicles for helping spread ARL’s Too Hot for Spot® summer safety campaign to the masses.

This campaign saves lives and ARL thanks you!

ARL Assists Boston Animal Control to Rescue Family of Ducks from Busy Boston Street

Ducks relocated to the Back Bay Fens

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department assisted Boston Animal Care and Control in the rescue of a family ducks from a patio along a busy Boston street, and moving them to a safer location.

The mama duck and her seven ducklings were on a patio along the 800 block of Boylston Street in Boston, creating a dangerous situation, particularly for the ducklings.

Boston Animal Control contacted ARL for assistance and once on-scene, the ARL’s Field Services agents were able to safely corral and trap the ducklings with a net before placing them in a transport crate.

Once the ducklings and their mother were ready for transport, Boston Animal Control brought the family of ducks to a waterway along the Back Bay Fens, where the family quickly acclimated to their new surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Boston streets.

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.

Foster Feature: Ning Pan

ARL foster parent and volunteer Ning Pan has traveled throughout the world, and is currently working towards the goal of traveling to all 50 states (with only four states left to go)! But one of her favorite places to travel is to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Ning started volunteering in October of 2021 at the recommendation of a co-worker. Having recently lost her beloved rescue dog Eva in 2020, Ning was ready for some animal love in her life again. Fairly soon in her volunteer journey, Ning noticed the critical need for foster families, and decided that fostering could be a good first step to welcoming dogs back into her and her family’s everyday lives.

Her first foster experience was with Kaylee and Macie, two senior Rat Terrier mixes. She took them home just before the holidays, and they remained in her care for 7-weeks before they were adopted together to a loving new family.

Since those first two fosters, Ning has fostered six more dogs! One of which was a “foster fail”, Buddy. “Foster fail” is an affectionate term for when a foster parent adopts their foster animal. But of course, it is never a failure when an animal finds a loving home, which was the case for Buddy! Buddy was originally adopted by someone else, but then had to be returned due to a family emergency. When he came back to ARL, Ning knew that he was meant to be a permanent member of her family, and they made it official by adopting him the same day he came back.

After adopting Buddy, Ning has continued to foster. Currently, she is fostering a dog involved in an active law enforcement investigation. This particular dog has been in ARL’s care since May of 2022, and has been in Ning’s care for over 6-months now!

Ning with her dog, Buddy, outside

Ning with her dog, Buddy, giving belly scratches outside of ARL's Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Center

Law enforcement cases involving animals can take a long time to resolve, so having a foster who is able to provide that animal with a safe place to land while they await release to adoption is absolutely invaluable. Foster homes reduce stress for the animals and allows them some reprieve from shelter life, and at the same time, it opens up the facility to care for more animals in need. This is part of what motivates Ning to continue fostering.

Even though many people may ask her, “how can you do it”, “don’t you fall in love with them”, and “isn’t it sad” when asked about fostering. Ning is quick to explain how the fulfillment of the life-saving impact that foster care has for animals in need far outweighs any sadness she may feel saying goodbye to an animal. She also keeps in touch with the adopters of many of her fosters, and receives happy updates that help fill her cup with hope for other animals in need.

We are so thankful to Ning for all that she does for animals in need, like Buddy and the 6 other fosters that have come and gone through her home. She makes so much life-saving work possible, and for that we are eternally grateful.

Learn more about fostering and volunteering at ARL.

Protecting Pets During the July 4 Holiday Weekend

Fireworks can trigger anxiety in pets

Fireworks and July 4th go hand-in-hand, however, this is also a time of great anxiety for our pets, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) reminds pet owners to take extra steps to ensure our pets are safe and calm during the upcoming holiday weekend.

While exciting for us, fireworks can cause behavioral issues in our pets that may last for a long time, and signs to watch out for include: shaking, drooling, howling or barking, pacing, trying to find a place to hide, and loss of bladder control, among others.

When stressed and exhibiting signs of fear, dogs may potentially redirect that fear into an aggressive behavior. Additionally, the loud noises and bright lights of fireworks may also cause a dog to run off. During this time of year, shelters around the nation typically see an increase in lost dog reports.

The first and easiest step to take is to make sure that your pet is wearing a collar with identification tags, and if they are microchipped, to be sure that the contact information is current and correct; as a precaution just in case they become lost.

You can also set them up in a quiet, temperature-controlled room with some of their favorite toys, turn on some soft music, a television, or a white noise machine to help drown out the noises caused by fireworks.
If you are concerned about the bright lights, you can also move your pet into a room with no windows, however, you may need to prepare for the chance they may run when the door is opened.

There are also medications to help reduce stress and anxiety, however, this is something that needs to be discussed with your veterinarian to determine which, if any, medication would be appropriate for your pet.

Additional Summer Safety Tips

Keep your pet safe and healthy by following these important basic guidelines:

  • Prevention is always your best bet. Whenever possible, leave your pet at home in a cool humidity and temperature-regulated room.
  • If your pet must be outdoors, find a shady spot with ample air flow to prevent overheating.
  • Hydration is key, so keep a bowl of cold water accessible at all times.
  • Limit exercise to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are at their coolest.
  • Never leave your pet alone in a parked car — even with the air conditioner on or the windows cracked. Remember, when the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®

More summer safety tips.

ARL Law Enforcement Participates in Important Training Sessions

ARL Law Enforcement offers vital training for local, state, and federal law enforcement

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Law Enforcement Department recently hosted and participated in two important training sessions involving animal control officers, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as the next generation of Massachusetts State Police Troopers.

ARL Hosts HSUS for Court Procedure Training

This past month, the Rabe Family Education and Training Center at ARL’s Dedham Campus hosted a special training in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to educate animal control officers, veterinarians, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels.

The training focused on testifying about animal crimes in a courtroom setting, which can present a unique set of challenges for law enforcement.

The four-hour training session focused on special considerations for cases related to intimate partner violence, how to effectively work with witnesses and utilizing experts, and how to effectively navigate cross-examination.

The training session involved more than 100 participants, and organizers were thrilled with the turnout, highlighting that the training will result in future success in cases involving animal cruelty and related crimes.

“There’s a lot of cases that don’t necessarily get the full attention they deserve,” said HSUS Law Enforcement Trainer Erin Aiello. “By training ACO’s so they can take it all the way, having them understand what prosecutors are looking for, what’s important at trial, the importance of them to a judge and a jury, really can make sure these cases are being seen and being valued all the way through the process.”

ARL Law Enforcement and Advocacy Visit MSP Academy

For the past several years, ARL has had the privilege to present to State Trooper cadets at the Massachusetts State Police Academy, and representative from ARL’s Law Enforcement and Advocacy Departments were once again tabbed recently to address the 88th Recruit Training Troop.

During the training session, ARL addressed existing animal cruelty laws, recognizing signs of animal abuse, and how ARL can assist local and state law enforcement agencies in investigating cases of suspected animal cruelty.

ARL is honored to have had this incredible opportunity to instruct the next generation of Massachusetts State Troopers, and look forward to continuing this collaborative effort with the Massachusetts State Police.

Pitbull-Type Dogs Removed from Unsanitary Conditions Ready for Adoption

Unsanitary conditions led to varying medical needs for dogs

Six Pitbull-type dogs that were recently removed from a Malden home due to unsanitary conditions will soon be looking for new homes, this after the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) first removed the dogs, and then provided treatment for various medical needs.

Local news coverage.

ARL worked with Malden Animal Control to remove the dogs, then transferred the animals to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center where they immediately received thorough veterinary exams.

Upon arrival at ARL, several of the dogs were thin and borderline emaciated, one of the dogs required surgery for pyometra (a uterine infection that if left untreated could be life-threatening), and the majority of the animals had signs of living in unsanitary conditions including pressure sores, poor dental hygiene, and skin issues.

All of the dogs have been treated for their medical needs, and since being in the care of ARL have showcased their infectious personalities — they are incredibly friendly and will make great pets.

ARL hopes to find homes for these animals sooner rather than later to allow the organization to free up precious kennel space and increase ARL’s ability to take in more animals in need.

Lobby Day for Animals Returns to State House

ARL joins other animal welfare organizations, citizen advocates to lobby for animal protection law

For the first time since 2019, Lobby Day for Animals returned to the Massachusetts State House, with the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Advocacy Department joining other animal welfare organizations, citizen advocates and elected officials to lobby for proposed animal protection laws currently in front of the Massachusetts Legislature.

The event was once again held in the Great Hall at the State House, and focused on several bills currently being considered by the Massachusetts Legislature.

These bills included a cruelty omnibus bill, a housing and pets bill, the usage of animals in traveling exhibits, and a declaw bill.

Several speakers, including ARL Director of Advocacy Ally Blanck spoke on the aforementioned pieces of legislation, and following the event’s speaking program, organizers escorted citizen advocates to their respective elected officials to lobby on behalf of these important bills to further protect animals in Massachusetts.

ARL was thrilled for the return of Lobby Day for Animals, and will continue to advocate for these important measures, and invite anyone who cares for animals and wants animals throughout the state to be better protected, to join ARL’s fight and to reach out to your state representatives to encourage them to be a voice for animals by supporting the bills currently under consideration.

The event was also a resounding success, as a number of legislators have now added their names as co-sponsors for several pieces of animal-related legislation.

Looking to get involved?

Your voice matters, and ARL encourages you to become an animal advocate!

For animal-related bills that are currently part of the ongoing legislation session, please see ARL’s 2023-2024 Legislative Agenda, and join the fight to help animals in the Commonwealth!

ARL Spay Waggin’ Begins New Stop in Kingston

Spay Waggin’ provides low-cost spay and neuter for South Shore, South Coast, Cape, and the Islands

Looking for provide even more access to low-cost spay and neuter services, this week the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Spay Waggin’ announced that Kingston will now be a regular stop for the mobile veterinary unit.

In its first stop in Kingston, in front of the Kingston Animal Control Office, the Spay Waggin’ served 30 cats, providing the important surgery, along with other services including a brief veterinary exam, nail trim, rabies and distemper vaccines, microchip, and flea treatment.

The Spay Waggin’ serves the South Shore, South Coast, and Cape Cod and Islands, as well as East Boston, and since first hitting the road in 2000, the mobile clinic has provided spay/neuter surgeries for more than 72,000 animals.

In 2023 alone, more than 4,300 animals have been spayed/neutered on the Spay Waggin’.

Aside from Kingston, regular Spay Waggin’ stops include Brockton, East Boston, Falmouth, New Bedford, North Dartmouth, Taunton, and Wareham.

Appointments are necessary for ARL’s Spay Waggin’ and can be made online, or by calling 1-877-590-SPAY (7729), or email spaywaggin@arlboston.org.