Over 3,780 animals were assisted by ARL’s Rescue Services in 2016

Animals found in distress are a common occurrence across the Commonwealth. All because of your unwavering support, however, ARL stands ready to answer the call for help. Thank you for being a part of every on-the-ground action as we help ensure a brighter future when animals are safe and healthy in their habitats and homes.

ARL’s Rescue Services has had a momentous last 12 months, rescuing over 3,780 animals in need! Today we remember our top 10 animal rescues of 2016:

1. 1,400 Westport farm animals – In July, ARL assisted over 1,400 animals living in deplorable conditions in the largest farm animal cruelty case the Northeast has ever seen. ARL’s staff and volunteers worked around-the-clock to assist in the rescue, removal, and specialized emergency veterinary treatment of goats, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, cattle, and birds, and other species in dire need of assistance. Many of the animals who remained in ARL’s care after the rescue found their forever homes.

2. 47 Dorchester birds –  In September, Rescue Services responded to a call from a Dorchester resident regarding her cat that had become ill and the observation of birds falling from trees. An astonishing 47 Grackle-type birds had fallen to the ground, sick, thrashing and unable to fly, or were unresponsive. ARL quickly moved the birds into isolation and notified neighbors to keep their pets indoors. While many of the birds were too ill to save, 15 were healthy enough to be transferred to a partner wildlife organization for specialized care.

3. 9 Jamaica Plain kittens – In April, the Veteran’s Hospital called ARL regarding a cat stuck under the building. Rescue Services arrived on the scene heard faint meowing from behind the cinder blocks. Slowly, but surely, the team pulled out not 1, not 2, but 9 little kittens who had been trapped under the cold foundation.

4. 8 Lexington ducklings – In April, a concerned citizen heard a distressed chirping sound from down below street level;  8 fuzzy little ducklings had fallen into a storm drain. Local police and firefighters helped ARL’s Rescue Services lift multiple drain covers to locate the frightened ducklings – all while the mother duckling nervously looked on. Fortunately, all 8 ducklings were brought up to safety and reunited with their mother at the local creek several blocks away.

5. Brookline turtle – In February, ARL was called for help when a turtle was spotted motionless on top of the icy pond at Larz Anderson Park. Rescue Services bundled up in cold-weather gear and carefully slid out onto the ice to rescue the Snapper with a large net. When they didn’t get a reaction, it was obvious that the turtle was in significant distress; the team immediately brought the turtle to a partner veterinarian to warm up and receive supportive care.

6. 4 Randolph raccoons – In March, the staff at Red Line Freight Systems had a surprise while unloading a trailer – 3 baby raccoons! Their crew carefully unloaded more pallets while ARL searched for the mother raccoon. Lo and behold, the mom was found hiding behind the last pallet and the family was released back into the wild together in an adjacent wooded area.

7. Yarmouth Port cat – In September, Rescue Services faced one of their more difficult cases this year of a cat stuck in tree (there have been 108 such cases in 2016 to date!). On this extremely windy day, this particular terrified kitty continued to move further and further out on the tree limbs – just out of Rescue Services’ reach. Thanks to some patience and their extensive technical training, however, the team was able to bring the climbing cat down to safety.

8. Brookline owl – In December, a Great Horned Owl found himself in quite the predicament; he’d gotten himself tangled in a soccer net. Rescue Services worked carefully to extract the feathered bird from the net and brought him back to a partner organization for observation and a good night’s rest before releasing him back into the wild the next day.

9. Revere dog  – In February, a tiny dog named Frankie and his owner got into a car crash. Startled by the collision, Frankie jumped out of the vehicle and fled from the scene. Fortunately, the next morning, the scared pup was picked up by Rescue Services running along I-93. After hours of searching and a post on social media regarding a missing dog, ARL was able to reunite Frankie with his owner, who was released from the hospital post-accident with a clean bill of health.

10. Hanover “Santa” squirrel – In December, ARL was called to help a squirrel that had a dog bone stuck around its neck. From afar, local residents mistook the bone as a white beard, which is why they named him “Santa Squirrel”. Rescue Services set up a humane peanut butter trap to capture the critter and brought him back to ARL to free him from the bone necklace. The squirrel was released back into the wild soon thereafter – just in time for the holidays.

Let’s help even more animals in 2017 – together!

Your year-end gift before December 31, will not only help us prepare for helping even more animals in need in 2017, but also let you take your contribution into account on your 2016 tax return to the extent allowable under law.

We still need to raise over $350,000 by December 31 to meet our year-end goal and start the new year fully funded.

Thank you for being a champion for animals in need and for giving generously today! Click the red button below to…

HELP ANIMALS NOW