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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.

ARL Caring for Injured 10-Year-Old Stray Cat

Stray cat suffering multiple medical issues

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for a 10-year-old cat that was found as a stray and is suffering from a multitude of medical issues.

Though not out of the woods, ARL’s medical intervention has likely saved the animal’s life.

The female cat, now named Wren, was found in Norwood, MA, in late June, and upon intake at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, one medical issue was certainly noticeable.

Wren had large wounds on her neck and face, however, it is unknown if the wounds were caused by a hot liquid burn, allergic reaction, or infection – but it was her underlying medical issues that were most concerning.

Wren had pyometra, a uterine infection that can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Additionally, Wren was very thin and diagnosed with diabetes, which had likely not been treated previously.

Wren’s wounds were immediately treated, as was her pyometra during spay surgery, but following treatment, the cat was not eating and losing weight.

With her outcome up in the air, Wren thankfully took a liking to wet food suitable for cats living with diabetes and fortunately has begun to put weight back on.

The cat is now in foster care to continue the healing process, and ARL’s veterinary staff has also begun a treatment plan to regulate her diabetes.

Wren’s wounds are healing and her health is improving, however, there is no timeline on when Wren may be made available for adoption as she still has a long road to recovery ahead of her.

Help Wren and Animals Like Her

ARL provides the highest standards of veterinary care, and in the case of Wren, her cost of care is estimated to exceed $10,000.

ARL is committed to helping every animal in the organization heal and thrive, but we cannot do it alone.

When you donate to ARL, you are helping Wren and animals like her by ensuring they receive the care they need and deserve, and once healed can begin the next chapter of their lives in a loving home.

Anyone interested in contributing to her treatment can visit support.arlboston.org/Wren to donate.

National Pet Fire Safety Day

Too Hot for Spot®: “National Pet Fire Safety Day” Tips to Keep Pets Safe

July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day and it reminds us that pets are often vulnerable victims of home fires. An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by house fires, according to a data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association.

Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible pet ownership. The following tips are suggestions for pet owners on how to prevent your beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep your pets safe.

What you can do to keep your pets safe: Pet emergency decal affixed to window

  • Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away From Home – Keep collars on pets and leashes ready to go in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
  • Secure Young Pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
  • Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Consider using monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home. These systems provide an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.
  • Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling Like Ours – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach a “Pet Rescue” decal to your front window. This critical information can help save rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to update the number of pets listed.

Special thanks to all of the firefighters out there who put their own lives at risk every day to help people and their pets.

More information about summer pet safety.

 

Stray Puppy with Severe Mange Ready for Adoption

Stray puppy found wandering along Boston highway in May

A 4-month-old puppy with severe mange found as a stray along Cummins Highway in Roslindale back in May has made a remarkable transformation and is now ready to begin the next chapter of her life.

The puppy, now named Petunia, made a quick recovery, her fur has grown back and she looks completely different than she did upon intake.

Through medical treatment, foster care and her own strength and resilience, her transformation is utterly amazing.

She is now ready to find her new home, and will be made available for adoption at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center, located at 55 Anna’s Place in Dedham.

Petunia was found May 7 along the Cummins Highway and taken to an emergency veterinary hospital for assessment and then transported to Boston Animal Control early the next day.

Knowing the puppy would require long-term treatment, Boston Animal Control contacted ARL and brought Petunia to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center.

While it is unknown where she came from or how she found her way to the busy roadway, ARL’s focus was to get the helpless puppy on the path to recovery.

Petunia suffered from severe demodectic mange, which is caused by mites living in the hair follicles of an animal, and results in fur loss and itchy skin.

The puppy had fur loss on the majority of her body, however, her condition was not contagious to other dogs or people.

The puppy’s course of treatment involved medicated baths twice-a-week to help soothe her skin and oral medications to clear the mange.

Her treatment lasted just over a month, and she spent her recovery time in foster care, which was pivotal in the healing process.

How You Can Animals Like Petunia

ARL is a resource, and Petunia’s recovery involved a number of ARL programs including Community and Shelter Medicine, Animal Care and Adoption, as well as ARL’s critical foster care network.

When you support ARL, you are making it possible for animals like Petunia to receive the care they need, the time they need to heal, and be provided with a quiet and nurturing environment to recover.

Please consider supporting ARL, and thank you for being a Champion for Animals in need!

Press Release: Abandoned Puppy Found at Boston-Area Gas Station in Care of ARL

6-month-old abandoned puppy in poor condition, signs of neglect

A six-month-old puppy found abandoned at a Boston-area gas station and in poor condition is receiving treatment at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), and ARL’s Law Enforcement Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying where the animal may have come from.

The six-month-old Shih Tzu, now named Arthur, was brought to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center late Sunday by a person who said they had stopped at a Mobil gas station in the Boston-area, and discovered the puppy near a dumpster.

Arthur was in a filthy cat carrier and was severely matted, covered in urine and feces and also had a splint on his left front leg from a previous injury.

He did not have access to food or water.

Arthur is also emaciated and was ravenously seeking food upon arrival at ARL.

He did not have ID tags or a microchip, and X-rays revealed a toe fracture which may have been a chronic injury, and he has since been groomed and is currently on a refeeding plan to ensure safe and slow weight gain.

The abandoned puppy’s splint was removed, revealing sores on his leg due to the dressing not being changed, and he continues to be non-weightbearing on the leg due to either pain or muscle atrophy.

ARL’s goal for Arthur is to provide him with the care he needs and find him the home he deserves once he is healthy enough to made adoptable.

There is no timeline on when this may happen.

Due to his trauma, Arthur is understandably frightened and very timid with new people, however, he has demonstrated a very affectionate and trusting side as well and ARL is determined to find him the home he truly deserves once he is ready.

ARL’s Law Enforcement Department is investigating this matter and is asking anyone who may know where the dog came from to contact ARL Law Enforcement by calling (617) 426-9170 x110 or emailing cruelty@arlboston.org.

ARL understands the difficulties of pet ownership, however, the organization reminds the public that abandoning an animal is never an option.

Not only is abandoning an animal illegal, but Arthur could have been further injured or even starved to death had he not been discovered.

If you are unable to care for an animal, please reach out to ARL or your local animal control office or shelter to surrender the animal.

ARL Seeing Drastic Influx of Community Kittens

ARL only large MA animal welfare agency with dedicated community cat program

With mild winters becoming common place, there is no such thing as kitten season anymore, however, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has seen a drastic increase in the influx of community kittens from outdoor cat colonies throughout the Commonwealth in 2024.

ARL is now seeing dozens of kittens coming through its doors on a weekly basis, and is working diligently to provide medical care, behavioral assessments and placing these animals into homes as quickly as possible.

One of over 60 community kittens ARL has rescued in May.

ARL is the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts directing resources to help community cats, and while 2023 was a record intake year with 885 community cats and kittens, 2024 is shaping up to be even busier, particularly in regards to kittens.

To date in 2024, ARL has taken in 129 kittens, 62 in May alone, compared to just 55 kittens being rescued in the same time period in 2023.

Current data estimates there are approximately 700,000 community cats living in communities across the Commonwealth, 70,000 in Boston alone.

While community cats are incredibly resilient, kittens born outdoors are extremely vulnerable to fluctuating weather conditions, predators, illness, among others, and sadly many don’t survive.

Community cats and kittens can be found literally anywhere – under decks, in basements, woodpiles, dog houses – anywhere a mother cat can provide relative safety and warmth for her offspring.

ARL is committed to caring for these animals and reminds the public to be on the lookout for community cats and kittens.

If you come across these cats and kittens, it’s important not to attempt to move them, instead contact ARL Field Services for assistance at (617) 426-9170 (option 1).

Once the cats and kittens are rescued, ARL provides veterinary care, including vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery, and the cats are also assessed behaviorally to determine adoption potential.

Adult cats who are truly feral and do not want to rely on humans for care are returned to the field.

More information about ARL’s Community Cat Program.

ARL Field Services Hosts Cat Handling Training Session for Animal Welfare Professionals

Cat handling session continues ARL’s commitment to educational opportunities for animal welfare professionals

This week the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department hosted a cat handling training session for more than two dozen animal welfare professionals from throughout Massachusetts.

Over two dozen animal welfare professionals attended this week’s training session.

ARL is the only large animal welfare organization with dedicated staff to address community cats, and Field Services also responds to countless calls to help animals, including cats, who are in distress and need immediate assistance.

Animal control officers, shelter workers, among others, attended the informative training session which covered a variety of cat-related topics including safe-handling, trapping, overcrowding situations, and other scenarios where knowledge can go a long way to ensuring safety for the animals and people involved.

Whether it’s saving a cat from a tree, assessing and trapping in a large colony of homeless cats, addressing animal overcrowding or situations that involve cats finding themselves in precarious situations like a stray cat with a light fixture stuck on its head, or a mom and babies hiding in a crawl space – ARL Field Services agents have a wealth of knowledge and routinely collaborate with animal control officers to safely remove the animals from these situations.

ARL has a commitment to education and this training session is just one of an ongoing series of training sessions the organization holds throughout the year for animal welfare professionals.

About ARL 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, call (617) 426-9170 x563.