Over the past several years, ARL’s Spay Waggin’ has been the focal point for a number of special clinics to deliver vital spay and neuter services to underserved communities, in partnership with the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF).

Primarily the clinics have taken place in Fall River, MA, an area along the South Coast of Massachusetts with a severe lack of accessible and affordable spay/neuter services.

This week, ARL and MAF teamed up once again, but this time delivering services to two dozen pet owners in New Bedford, MA – another South Coast area hard hit by a lack of accessible and affordable spay/neuter services.

The surgeries for these special clinics are under the MAF voucher program, which distributes vouchers to qualifying low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

Due to an incredibly high demand, many clinic clients had been on a waiting list for months and some upwards of a year to have their pets spayed or neutered.

These clinics give clients easy access to high-quality veterinary care, and the MAF vouchers remove the financial burden from pet owners who would otherwise be unable to afford the important procedure.

“I’ve been waiting for 8 months and was told there was a big demand but would be contacted and they reached about a month ago,” said Nicole Canfield, whose cat Jynx was spayed during the clinic. “It’s very important, and a giant help, my normal vet wanted over $300 just to fix her which I couldn’t afford on a fixed income.”

“My cat Midnight, – he’s year-and-a-half, and I needed to get him fixed,” said Spay Waggin’ client Brandi Mosher. “This program is great, I wouldn’t be able to get him fixed without it, I heard about this program through the animal control officer and am very grateful (for this service).”

ARL is slated to take part in clinics in both New Bedford and Fall River later this spring.

Making a difference since 2000

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ has been at the forefront of providing accessible and affordable high-quality spay/neuter services to the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod and the Islands since the program first hit the road in 2000.

Click here for more information and to book an appointment on the Spay Waggin’.

22 Animals received vital surgery

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Spay Waggin’ was once again in Fall River to spay/neuter nearly two dozen animals as part of an ongoing collaborative effort with ARL, the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF), and Fall River Animal Control.

It’s the third year in a row ARL has hosted the clinic in collaboration with MAF and Fall River Animal Control. The surgeries are under the MAF voucher program, which distributes vouchers to qualifying low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

ARL's Spay Waggin' in Fall River.

Clients beginning check-in.

Awaiting check-in.

Ready for check-in!

One of 22 animals receiving surgery during the special clinic.

Spay Waggin' client stepping on the scale.

One of the 22 animals receiving vital surgery.

One of 22 animals receiving vital surgery.

Due to high demand and Covid-19-restrictions, many clients have been on a waiting list for a number of months to have their pets spayed or neutered, and ARL is pleased to once again be providing this vital service that’s greatly needed in the Fall River Community.

“Fall River is already a struggling community, but since the pandemic, it seems as if getting spay/neuter services has proven to be even more difficult,” said Cynthia Beard-Cadima, Fall River Animal Control Officer. “People contact us daily, asking for funds.  Many are out of work and our homeless community is growing.  We are stretching every dime and our veterinarians are donating time and services more than ever.”

ARL’s Spay Waggin’

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ provides high-quality, low-cost spay and neuter services to animals in need on the South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as select locations in Metro Boston.

Since 2000 the Spay Waggin’ has provided services for more than 60,000 animals.

The Spay Waggin’ is by appointment only, and to for more information and to book an appointment, call (877) 590-SPAY (7729), or email spaywaggin@arlboston.org.

ARL Volunteer presented with annual Champion for Animals Award

2021 has been exciting year for the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), especially on Cape Cod.

ARL is proud to mark a century of service to the Cape Cod region, and this past month ARL hosted two Paws to Celebrate events to bring Cape-based supporters together to mark this special milestone.

Two wonderful venues, the historic Chatham Orpheum Theatre and Truro Vineyards, hosted these events.

Along with words of thanks and appreciation from ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino, and ARL Board of Directors Chair Walter Kenyon, both events also featured an amazing documentary from photographer, documentarian, and ARL volunteer Kim Rodgriguez, along with cinematographer Geoffrey Bassett.

The Way Home: A Century of Finding Loving Companions for Shelter Animals, is a celebration of ARL’s century of service on Cape Cod, and highlights the human-animal bond through touching stories of animals and the families who adopted them from ARL.

“I have had a love affair with the Animal Rescue League of Boston since adopting our first family dog, Snubby, in 1975,” Roderiques said. “ARL has been a pillar in the Cape community finding homes for countless animals for one hundred years. Having the opportunity, thanks to a grant from Rockland Trust, to document their journey through the lens while sharing the most moving and riveting stories of animals surviving and thriving, along with acknowledging those who have been integral in making adoptions successful, is a dream come true.”

As a companion piece to the documentary, Kim published a photo book also titled, The Way Home, featuring a collection of images related to ARL’s rich history on the Cape, as well as photos of animals that have been adopted from the Brewster Animal Care & Adoption Center.  The book’s production has been graciously sponsored by Agway of Cape Cod, and is available at Agway’s three locations for a suggested donation amount of $25.

Chatham Orpheum.

Truro Vineyards.

A Champion for Animals

The Cape event in Chatham also afforded the opportunity for Dr. Schettino to present Kim Roderiques with the Champion for Animals Award, given annually to a person who goes above and beyond to make meaningful impacts for animals in need.

Kim has volunteered at ARL for 10-plus years, being involved with numerous events and lending her photographic talents to make sure adoptable animals look their best!

“Kim is a remarkable person and her contributions to ARL over the years are truly incredible,” said Dr. Schettino. “Her compassion for animals is immeasurable, and ARL is proud to be able to honor her with the 2021 Champion for Animals Award.”

Thank you to our Paws to Celebrate host committee and sponsors:

Mary and Bob Bainbridge, Grace Fey, Tony Guthrie, Brian Hyde and Joe Fiorello,

Michael Kaplan and Matt Bell, Susan Kurtzman, Connie and Peter Lacaillade, Patti Lotane,

Sharon Mabile, Trish Regan, Heather and Park Ridill, José Rodriguez-Villalobos and

Christopher Lapan, Kim Roderiques, Carol Warshawsky, and Cape Cod 5 Foundation

2020 Photo Contest winners part of outdoor exhibit

For a number of years, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has had the pleasure of sponsoring the animal category for the Boston Press Photographers Association’s annual photo contest, and this year’s winning photos will be part of a public outdoor exhibit!

Photo credit: Mary Schwalm

The exhibit will be displayed in Boston’s Copley Square until June 7, and then will move to Nubian Square in Roxbury from June 7-21.

The contest consists of 15 categories, along with Best in Show and Photographer of the Year honors.

This year’s winner in the ARL-sponsored animal category is freelance photographer Mary Schwalm, while second place was awarded to Spenser Hasak of The Daily Item, and third place going to John Tlumacki of the Boston Globe.

Congratulations to all the winners!

ARL Volunteers and Staff Honored

As we round out National Volunteer Appreciation Week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) would once again like to thank all of our volunteers and foster families!

The week has been filled with virtual events and was capped by the annual awards ceremony to honor those who have gone above and beyond to help animals in need.

Without further ado, here are the winners for ARL’s Boston, Dedham and Cape Cod locations!

Best of Boston: Jane Urban of Newton

Cape’d Crusader: Terry Snow of Harwich

Dedham’s Most Dignified: Linda Palmer of Milton

ARL’s Unsung Hero: Margaret Ronna of Cambridge

All Other Creatures Big and Small: Denise Fritschy of Eastham and Tricia Patterson of Somerville

Admin’s Above and Beyond: Kelly Scott of Winthrop and Martha Donovan of Harwich

Our Four Footed Friends Favorite Foster Parent:  Cindy Glade of Harvard

In addition, volunteers at each location annual vote for a staff member who embodies ARL’s mission.

Boston: Julie Pearce

Cape Cod: Dawn Lee

Dedham: Alicia Muller

“Awards night is a special night as staff and volunteers come together to celebrate all the successes of the previous year, highlight both volunteers and staff who consistently go above and beyond, and to embrace and share the love we all have for the animals in our care,” said Debby Chaplic, ARL Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement.

Thank you to every ARL volunteer and foster family who donate their time and pour their hearts and souls into enriching the lives of the animals in ARL’s care – ARL volunteers are true champions for animals!

Why Volunteer?

First and foremost, nonprofit organizations like ARL simply could not have such a wide reach to help animals in need without volunteers. Volunteers are integral members of the ARL family.

But volunteering has benefits beyond caring and participating in such a worthwhile cause.

About 63 million people, or 25% of the U.S. population, donate their time and talents to worthy causes.

In addition to making a difference in the community, volunteering has been shown to improve a person’s health by increasing physical activity, enhancing your mood and decreasing stress.

Another bonus?  The majority of hiring managers nationally see volunteerism as an asset in candidates seeking employment.

If you are interested in volunteering at ARL, please click here for more information and THANK YOU!

Services include spay/neuter and community cats

For a third year in a row, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has partnered with the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF) to bring vital spay and neuter services to the South Coast community of Fall River, this as ARL continues to expand services to the Fall River community.

ARL’s Spay Waggin’, a state-of-the-art mobile surgical unit, welcomed nearly two dozen animals for the surgeries, which were covered by the MAF’s voucher program, which distributes vouchers to qualifying low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

Clients lining up to drop off their pets.

Intake for cats.

Clients receiving food after dropping off their cat.

Yoda getting his weight checked.

Yoda heading to his temporary space.

Time for the pups!

Cooper waiting her turn.

Waiting for intake.

Receiving some puppy food after drop off.

Due to high demand and Covid-19-restrictions, many clients had been on a waiting list for a number of months to have their pets spayed or neutered, and ARL is pleased to once again be able to provide this vital service.

Additionally, ARL’s Field Services Department was on-hand to distribute pet food to clients.

Community Cats

ARL has recently expanded its community cat initiative into the Fall River region as well.

There are approximately 700,000 community cats, which consist of stray, feral, and semi-feral cats, in Massachusetts.

Through the Community Cat Initiative, ARL will assess colonies, and formulate a trap-neuter-return (TNR) plan to provide spay/neuter, medical care, and also find homes for cats deemed suitable for adoption.

So far ARL has worked with more than dozen cats in the region, and as the weather warms, the number of cats in need of assistance is expected to drastically increase.

For residents concerned about community cats in their respective neighborhoods, they can reach ARL’s Field Services Department by calling 617-426-9170, then dial 1.

Spay Waggin’

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ provides high-quality, low-cost spay and neuter services to animals in need on the South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as select locations in Metro Boston.

Since 2000 the Spay Waggin’ has provided services for more than 60,000 animals.

The Spay Waggin’ is by appointment only, and to for more information and to book an appointment, call (877) 590-SPAY (7729), or email spaywaggin@arlboston.org.