ARL is a resource for overwhelmed pet owners in overcrowding situations

 In the past two weeks, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has taken in 25 cats through two separate overcrowding situations where the owners were overwhelmed by the number of animals in the home.

One of 25 cats taken in by ARL due to overcrowding.

The cats are will be made available for adoption soon, however, situations like this put a strain on ARL’s resources and the organization is asking the public for assistance to provide the care and support these animals need.

Both instances of overcrowding are due to lack of accessible and/or low-cost spay and neuter services.

Once the cats began reproducing, the numbers quickly spiraled out of control for the owners, who then reached out to ARL for assistance.

ARL worked with the owners to safely corral the cats, and then transported them to ARL’s Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center for medical care.

While it is common to see upper respiratory infections and under-socialization in cats from overcrowding situations, these cats were healthy, well cared for, and the majority of the animals are incredibly friendly and social.

They are receiving vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and will soon be available for adoption.

ARL is prepared to help anyone who has too many animals in the home, as the organization works with the pet owners to find a solution that works best for both the animals and people involved.

If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, visit our Here to Help page or call (617) 426-9170.

 A sudden large intake of animals strains ARL’s limited resources, as care for these animals is already well into the thousands.

Please consider donating to support ARL and the ongoing care for these cats and animals like them.

Stray dog needed emergency surgery

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is caring for a Shih Tzu puppy that was found alone in Jamaica Plain just before the New Year and needed emergency surgery due to an eye injury.

The animal is recovering, but still has a way to go before finding his new home.

Louie after receiving emergency surgery.

Louie, an 8-month-old Shih Tzu, was found along a cold and damp Boylston Street in Jamaica Plain on December 28, and taken to a veterinary clinic for an initial assessment.

Boston Animal Care and Control was contacted to retrieve the dog, and because of the nature of his injury, contacted ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center to provide emergency care and support.

The dog did not have a microchip or identification tags, but had suffered from a ruptured corneal ulcer, causing extreme pain and discomfort; an umbilical hernia was also discovered upon examination at ARL.

ARL’s community and shelter medicine team performed surgery to remove the injured eye and repaired the hernia.

Louie is pain-free and recovering well, however, he will not be made available for adoption until he is healthy enough to go home.

ARL is a Resource

ARL is a resource to pet owners and to partners like Boston Animal Care and Control, but emergency services and surgery do come at a high cost.

To date, Louie’s cost of care is several thousand dollars, and ARL is seeking financial support to help offset the cost of his medical needs. Please consider donating today.

Microchip made reunion of missing cat possible

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) reunited a Maine family with their 10-year-old missing cat, several months after the cat got out and became lost during a family visit to Cape Cod.

Having the animal microchipped was what allowed for the reunion and for the cat to literally get back home for the holidays.

The cat, named Rosebud, had strictly been an indoor cat, but during the family’s visit to Brewster, Rosebud snuck outside and became lost.

Despite drastic efforts to find her, the family had to return to Maine, devastated in the thought that their beloved cat was gone and began mourning her loss.

Rosebud, a 10-year-old cat recently reunited with her family.

Having a microchip was key to her being home for the holidays.

Rosebud's family reuniting with the adventurous cat!

However, on December 14, a Dennis resident contacted ARL’s Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Center, saying the cat had been hanging around the property for a couple of months seeking food, and although the cat had a flea collar but no identification tags, the resident believed the cat was an owned animal and then brought her to ARL.

ARL’s staff scanned the cat for a microchip, and then immediately contacted the owners.

Needless to say, the family was stunned, but overwhelmed with excitement that Rosebud was still alive and arranged to make the three-hour drive the next day to pick her up and get her home.

Upon arrival in Brewster, Rosebud’s family stated they were still in shock and it wasn’t until they physically saw her that the shock wore off and the reality set in that the cat was alive and well and ready to go home for the holidays!

Despite being indoors all of her life, Rosebud tapped into her survival instincts, and wandered the Cape wilderness for miles, starting in Brewster, and winding up in Dennis where she was found.

Importance of Microchipping

ARL reminds pet owners that a microchip greatly increases the odds of being reunited with your pet should they go missing.

A microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice that is programmed with an identification number unique to the animal.

It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and last the life of your pet with no maintenance required.

Make an Impact

More than 35% of ARL’s funding arrives in December – now is a critical time to give to ensure we are ready to help animals and the people who love them today and in the new year.

ARL does not receive any government grants or public funding and relies solely on the donations of individuals like you to keep animals happy and healthy– YOU make our important work possible. 

Injured dog with bulging eye brought to ARL after being found outside vet clinic in Boston

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is caring for a one-year-old inured dog taken in from Boston Animal Care and Control after being found tied to a pole outside a local veterinary clinic and needing emergency surgery to remove an eye that dislodged from its socket.

Aside from the injury, the dog was very well cared for and ARL believes this is yet another example of a pet owner in crisis not knowing where to turn.

The dog, named Herbie, was found on December 11 outside of a veterinary clinic in Boston and brought to Boston Animal Care and Control.

Because he needed immediate medical attention, he was transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center where he was assessed.

His left eye was proptosed, meaning it dislodged from its socket, and needed to be removed surgically due to the severe damage.

Herbie during playtime.

Herbie spending some time outdoors at ARL.

Herbie following his enucleation surgery and looking to have fun!

This is not an uncommon injury for a small dog, and typically occurs as the result of trauma i.e. accident.

Other than the injury to the eye, Herbie is in excellent health, is very friendly, and well-groomed.

 Herbie is healthy and will live a normal life.

ARL understands many pet owners are struggling and reminds the public that ARL is a resource.

In 2024 ARL has seen more than 700 animals surrendered due to housing-related issues, which is more than double from 2023.

Cost of pet care has risen drastically in recent years, and when a medical emergency arises, many pet owners are unable to pay for care, prompting some to make rash decisions, but with the best interest of the animal in mind.

Any pet owner facing difficulties can access our list of resources and programs including:

• Accessible wellness care
• Low-cost spay/neuter surgeries
• Pet food and supplies
• Temporary pet housing
• Free pet behavior help

URGENT REQUEST: Animals still need you!

Time is running out and your year-end gift is needed now!

Rising costs have strained our limited resources – animals and the people who love them need you now.

Your donation can ensure animals in need have everything they need, including behavioral support, veterinary care, shelter, and adoption services, to help them find safe and loving homes to experience love and joy in the New Year.

Rescued cat stuck in tree for four days

A worried cat owner was recently reunited with their pet after the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) safely rescued the cat who had been stuck in a tree for four days.

ARL’s Field Services Department received the call just before Thanksgiving about a cat who had been in a tree for about four days in the Upham’s Corner neighborhood in Dorchester, and with concerns for the cat being in a precarious position without food, water and having to endure frigid overnight temperatures, ARL responded quickly to the scene.

The cat had perched itself on a limb about 30 feet off the ground, and an ARL Field Services agent was able to scale the tree and by talking calmly to the cat and offering him food, was able to lure him close enough to safely be corralled and placed into a carrier for the return trip to solid ground.

ARL Field Services climbing to rescue a cat in Dorchester.

Getting closer!

Fats was stuck in the tree for approximately four days.

Back on solid ground.

Fats being reunited with his owner thanks to ARL's Field Services and having a microchip!

Neighbors had seen the cat previously, but did not know if anyone owned him, and he was then transported to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center for a medical evaluation and signs of ownership.

Thankfully the cat, named Fats, was microchipped, and it turned out his owner is a client of ARL’s Wellness Waggin’, a mobile veterinary clinic offering low-cost, high-quality pet wellness services in several Greater Boston communities, including Dorchester.

Fats had been microchipped on the Wellness Waggin’ in 2022, making it easy for ARL to contact his owner.

The owner was overwhelmed with joy that Fats had been rescued and was safe.

She had been searching for him for several days, and had even heard him meowing during one of her searches, however, she did not realize that the sound had been coming from above her!

Fats is just one of many cats ARL rescues from precarious situations like this annually, and also reminds the public that microchipping your cat and dog greatly increases the likelihood of a happy reunion should the animal go missing.

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.

ARL’s Field Services Department provides technical (tree climbing and swift/ice water) and non-technical rescues for injured domestic animals, livestock, and raptors (turkey vultures, ospreys, hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls), and anyone in need of assistance can contact ARL’s Field Services Hotline at (617) 426-9170 x563.

Supporting Vital Services

As the year comes to a close, you have the power to make a life-changing difference for animals in need like Fats. Your support helps provide ARL’s Field Services with the tools, training and resources to save animals like Fats who find themselves in precarious situations.

Donate today and help us start the new year with hope, love, and brighter futures for the animals who need us most.