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Severely Emaciated Dog in Care of ARL

Emaciated dog making progress, ARL Law Enforcement investigating case of animal cruelty

While a severely emaciated dog currently in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is making progress, ARL’s Law Enforcement Department is investigating this case of starvation and gross neglect and is asking the public for any information which could lead to charges and subsequent prosecution for animal cruelty.

The approximately one-year-old dog, now named Dobby, was reportedly found as a stray in the area of Franklin Park in Dorchester in mid-August, and was transported to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center for care.

Upon arrival at ARL, he received a thorough veterinary exam and the greatest concern surrounding his condition was the extreme level of emaciation.

Weighing just 37 pounds, he scored a 1 out of 9 on the body condition score chart which represents the highest level of emaciation with ribs, lumbar vertebrae, pelvic bones and all bony prominences evident from a distance, no discernible body fat and obvious loss of muscle mass.

Additionally, Dobby’s fur was urine-stained, presented with mild dental disease, and he also had a number of pressure sores, indicating that he had been kept confined to a small space.

Dobby was placed on a refeeding plan, and while he initially lost weight, he is now trending in the right direction weighing approximately 40 pounds, and continuing to make progress.

Despite his condition, Dobby knows he is in a safe and caring environment and personifies resilience and strength, as he has been incredibly friendly and receptive to attention from ARL staff.

He will be heading into foster care soon and it’s important to note that due to his condition he is not currently available for adoption.

ARL Law Enforcement asks that anyone with information pertaining to this case to call (617) 426-9170 x110 or email cruelty@arlboston.org

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.

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.

ARL Provides Emergency Surgery for Injured Stray Kitten

Stray kitten suffered from severely fractured leg

A seven-month old stray kitten from Lowell, MA, is recovering after receiving an emergency amputation surgery at the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

The kitten, now named Baguette, was found on the streets of Lowell late last week, and while she did not have any external wounds, her hind leg was fractured beyond the point of repair, and needed urgent veterinary care.

Knowing the critical nature of the injury, Lowell Animal Control contacted ARL and transported the kitten to ARL’s Dedham facility.

ARL was able to take in the kitten and provide the life-saving surgery, which would have cost several thousand dollars at an emergency veterinary hospital.

ARL is a resource for animal control officers throughout Massachusetts by assisting when called upon and having the ability to take on complex cases and absorb the costs of procedures such as this surgery.

ARL’s shelter medicine staff amputated the limb, and for the past several days Baguette has shown remarkable progress.

She is unhindered by the missing leg, and now being pain-free, is happy, healthy, showing off her infectious personality, and is nearly ready to thrive in a forever home.

Please note, Baguette is still unavailable for adoption, however her status will likely change in the next week or so as she continues to make progress in her recovery.

ARL Law Enforcement Investigating Abandoned Cat Rescued on Fisher College Campus

ARL seeks public assistance as new image shows moment cat was abandoned on Beacon Street

 The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Law Enforcement Department is currently investigating after an abandoned cat was rescued by Fisher College police after someone took the animal out of a vehicle in its pet carrier and dumped it on college property, which is located along Beacon Street in Boston.

The incident is being investigated as a case of animal cruelty and the ARL is seeking the public’s help in identifying the person believed to be responsible.

Local news coverage of this incident.

The two-year-old male cat, now named Fish, received a thorough veterinary exam upon arrival at ARL, and was found to be in good health, with no obvious signs of abuse or neglect.

However, surveillance video of the incident demonstrates the willful abandonment of the animal, which is illegal under Massachusetts’ animal cruelty statute Ch. 272 S.77 and is punishable by up to seven years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Fish has been neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and will soon be made available for adoption to start the next chapter of his life.

ARL wishes to thank Fisher College Police as well as the maintenance employee who found and reported the incident in an urgent manner.

Given the busy city surroundings, if Fish was not found in a timely fashion, he would have been at tremendous risk of injury or death.

Case Background

On April 4, 2023, a Fisher College Maintenance staff member notified Fisher College Police about the discovery of a box that contained one adult cat.

The box was identified as a cardboard cat carrier, and soon after Fisher College Police notified ARL Law Enforcement for assistance.

ARL Law Enforcement responded to the scene, and the cat was transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center for treatment and care.

Surveillance video shows what is believed to be a white male, wearing orange gloves, dark jacket, and a baseball hat park in front of the college campus on Beacon Street.

The suspect then removes the carrier from the back of the vehicle, throwing it on the ground before getting back in the vehicle and driving off towards the direction of Storrow Drive.

The vehicle is described as a grey or tan 4-door hatchback.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact ARL Law Enforcement at (617) 426-9170 x110, or by emailing cruelty@arlboston.org.

ARL Takes in Over 60 Cats From Overcrowding Situation

ARL program allows caretakers to keep a trio of cats from overcrowding situation

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently took in more than 60 cats from from an overcrowding situation in Norfolk County whose caretakers urgently needed to downsize the number of animals in their care.

This marks the fourth large-scale intake of cats from overcrowding situations in 2023 and ARL has cared for nearly 200 overcrowding cats so far this year.

The caretakers contacted ARL seeking assistance in downsizing the number of cats in the home.

While the initial thought was to surrender all the cats in the home, through a conversation with ARL staff, the caretakers learned about ARL’s Healthy Moms, Happy Litters program, making it possible to keep three cats that have special meaning for the family.

The Healthy Moms, Happy Litters program offers free spay/neuter surgery for mother/father cats and dogs, and once the surgery is performed the animals are returned to the owner.

Additionally, the offspring are surrendered to ARL and once spayed/neutered, the animals will be available for adoption.

The cats in the home were not spayed or neutered, and because cats can start breeding as young as four months of age and can have about three litters a year, a few cats turned into many in a very short period of time.

The majority of the cats from this situation are social and friendly, and have received thorough veterinary exams, vaccinations, microchip and spay/neuter surgeries.

A large number have been adopted already, but some remain in the care of ARL and are available at both ARL’s Boston and Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Centers.

ARL has cared for nearly 200 cats from overcrowding so far in 2023, and the organization regularly receives requests for assistance from caretakers with too many animals in the home. If you or someone you know is looking for support for spay/neuter services or to rehome cats, you can contact local animal control, or ARL’s Field Services Department for assistance.

ARL approaches every overcrowding situation with respect, compassion, and a staunch commitment to ensuring the health and safety of the animals involved, as well as their caretakers.

ARL Takes in Over 360 Pet Rodents from a Massachusetts Pet Store

Pet rodents to be available at ARL’s Boston/Dedham locations  

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) expedited a large surrender of more than 360 pet rodents from a Massachusetts pet store and will soon be seeking homes for hundreds of pet mice, rats, hamsters, as well as one chinchilla.

In recent years, ARL has seen a drastic increase in surrender requests for these types of pet rodents, known as pocket pets, a trend that has been echoed by other animal welfare organizations throughout Massachusetts.

Some of the small animals being brought to ARL were accidentally bred after being mis-sexed at pet stores.

Most small animals have large litters and short gestation periods, resulting in two pets becoming many more very quickly.

These types of animals make for wonderful and fun pets, and ARL encourages anyone interested in adding a new pocket pet to the family, to visit a local shelter rather than a pet store to see if they have the right pet for you.

At ARL, all animals receive a thorough veterinary exam, which includes identifying if they are male or female to ensure they will not reproduce in their new homes.

Anyone interested in adopting a new pocket pet can visit ARL’s Boston or Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Centers, or visit arlboston.org/adopt/adopt-a-pet/ for more information and to see who’s available.

Please note, given the large number of animals, not all of the rodents are available for adoption as of yet.

Pet Surrender

At the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), we know that circumstances can make caring for your pet difficult.

As part of our commitment to help animals and the people who care about them, ARL offers a variety of resources, including a FREE pet behavior helpline.

We understand that sometimes the difficult decision must be made to surrender your pet; rest assured that ARL is here to help you with the process.

To speak with an animal admission representative, please contact the ARL Admission Office in your area.

ARL Caring for Likely Abandoned Dog on Cape Cod

Likely abandoned dog found in Cotuit neighborhood

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Center is currently caring for a four-year-old dog that was likely abandoned and found in emaciated condition in a neighborhood on Cape Cod.

The dog was initially taken in by Barnstable Animal Control before being transferred to ARL’s Brewster facility.

Little Man.

The pup, now named Little Man, was found by a resident along Mariner Circle in Cotuit, and told Barnstable Animal Control that the dog had been seen around the neighborhood but not owned by anyone.

Little Man was not wearing a collar or ID tags and was not microchipped.

Little Man was likely abandoned, and when he was found he was underweight to the point of emaciation, ravenously hungry, and had a very dirty and unkempt coat.

During his seven-day stray wait period an owner of the dog did not come forward, and after spending a couple of weeks with Barnstable Animal Control, he was brought to ARL’s Brewster facility where he as undergone a veterinary exam and is scheduled to be neutered before being made available for adoption.

The dog has put on about five pounds, is incredibly friendly, loves attention, and is well-mannered. ARL thanks Barnstable Animal Control for rescuing this animal in need and is looking forward to finding Little Man the home and family he truly deserves.

How You Can Help

ARL has the ability to quickly respond to animals in need, thanks to you and your support!

By supporting ARL, you will help provide Little Man, and animals like him, with the care he desperately needs and allow ARL to ultimately find him the home and loving family he deserves.

Thank you for your support, and for being a Champion for Animals in need!

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ARL Caring for Injured Stray Cat Likely Attacked by Wildlife

Injured stray cat suffering from multitude of wounds

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for an injured stray cat that used up one of his nine lives escaping a likely wildlife attack, suffering severe wounds in the process.

The Good Samaritan who rescued the 2-year-old cat, now named Gummy Bear, stated the cat had been a regular in their West Yarmouth neighborhood for about a year, but when he showed up one day clearly in distress, the finder trapped the cat and brought him to ARL’s Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Center for the emergency care he desperately needed.

Gummy Bear suffered from deep, raw wounds on both cheeks, hind limbs, as well as an injured toe.

He also had scars on his body from previous encounters with unknown animals.

ARL’s shelter medicine team proceeded to clean and debride the wounds, and he is currently residing at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center to receive ongoing treatment.

Because his wounds are of an unknown origin, he will be quarantined for four months, per state law.

Despite his harrowing ordeal, Gummy Bear is settling into his new surroundings and is improving both physically and behaviorally.

ARL staff and volunteers are spending ample time with the wounded cat, who has begun opening up and is constantly seeking pets, accepting treats, and purring to show his appreciation.

Although he will be residing with ARL until the early summer, his finder, who likely saved his life, has expressed interest in adopting him when his quarantine period ends, which would make for the perfect beginning to the next chapter of his life.

ARL would like to thank Gummy Bear’s finder for their act of kindness, and acknowledge all the Good Samaritans who take action when seeing an animal in distress and need of assistance.

ARL Caring for Stray Cat Saved by Good Samaritan

Senior stray cat with several medical issues found along VFW Parkway in Dedham

A senior former stray cat is getting the second chance he deserves thanks to the actions of a Good Samaritan who was concerned after spotting the cat near a busy highway in Dedham, MA.

The cat has been in the care of the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), and had he not been rescued, his medical issues would’ve certainly been exacerbated and possibly life-threatening.

Mr. Belvedere, a 10-year-old male cat, was brought to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center in February after a person on their way to work noticed the cat on the side of the busy VFW Parkway in Dedham.

The Good Samaritan took note of the stray cat, and when returning from work the same day, the person once again noticed the cat and decided to take action.

Concerned for the animal’s welfare and believing he was either sick or injured, the Good Samaritan was able to gather up the friendly cat, and bring him to ARL.

Upon his arrival, a thorough medical exam revealed some underlying medical concerns, including diabetes, muscle wasting on one of his hind limbs, and chronic dry eye.

The cat was also suffering from advanced dental disease. Had Mr. Belvedere not been rescued, it’s likely his diabetes would have worsened over time and developed into a life-threatening condition.

Over the past month, ARL’s shelter medicine has worked diligently to regulate the cat’s diabetes, and Mr. Belvedere is currently on a restricted diet, and also receives daily insulin injections.

He also needs daily medication for his dry eye condition.

Mr. Belvedere, a very friendly and outgoing cat, has enjoyed living in his foster home since his intake, and it’s likely his foster family will adopt him once he’s ready.

ARL would like to thank the Good Samaritan for their act of kindness, and acknowledge everyone who takes action when seeing an animal in distress and need of assistance.