ARL’s Rescue Services Team On the Snowy and Icy Scene

Many wild birds like this goose spotted behind a store in Quincy have had difficulties finding food this winter.

This winter has been rough for everyone in Massachusetts, including our four-footed and winged friends.  Luckily for animals in distress, the ARL’s rescue team has been on the scene to help.

The storms have especially taken their toll on wild birds, including ducks, geese, and swans.  Not only are they turning up in unusual and less-than-safe places such as busy parking lots looking for something to eat and a place to rest, but they are also getting injured.

Just this week alone, the rescue team scooted out on the ice to help an injured goose on the frozen Charles River in Waltham,  assisted a sick swan who had been sitting in the middle of a driveway in Lynn for quite some time, and waded through the icy waters in Gloucester to help a duck entangled in netting.

Other types wildlife have had difficulties, as well.  On Wednesday evening, the team assisted in the rescue of a coyote stuck out on the ice in Quincy.  The team helped move the animal back to shore as his or her nervous mate paced anxiously back and forth.

The ARL rescue team pulled this duck entangled in netting from the icy ocean waters off Gloucester.

Between the frigid temperatures and snow, stray and feral cats have also been struggling this winter.  One injured stray cat wedged itself behind some boards in Boston covered by a huge snow drift.  The rescue team dug her out and brought her back to our Boston shelter for further care.

After a concerned citizen reported a feral cat had been stuck in a heating vent after snow from the last several storms covered the opening, the City of Boston lent a hand to the rescue team to get through the snow and free the trapped animal.

As a feral cat, he (or she) was not too keen on sticking around to thank his human rescuers, but community members have since spotted him and say he appears to be doing fine.

When a horse barn in Stoughton collapsed from the weight of the weekend’s snow, the ARL rescue team was also on the scene to provide assistance moving horses to new shelter.  Luckily, no horses were injured in the collapse.

The rescue team worked alongside the City of Boston Inspectional Services to remove snow in order to free a feral cat stuck inside a heating vent for over a week.

THANK YOU to all the animal control officers, the City of Boston, and the many kind citizens who are looking out for animals in our community this winter!

YOU CAN HELP TOO!  The ARL doesn’t receive government or public funding to provide rescue services to animals in distress. Make a donation today to ensure domestic animals and wildlife get assistance when they need it most!

February is National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

It’s definitely hip to snip this February during National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month!

It’s Hip to Snip campaign spokesdog Liam looking super cool in his shades during his photo shoot.

We’re spreading the word that one of the best ways to prevent pet overpopulation is to spay or neuter your pet.

Our “It’s Hip to Snip” spay/neuter awareness campaign will feature a spay/neuter fund drive, public service announcements, and an educational event to help more people learn about  the important benefits the low-risk surgery has for the community, people, and pets.

For more campaign event information and spay and neuter resources, visit arlboston.org/spay-neuter.

So, why is it so hip to snip? Consider these 5 reasons:

1. You snip, you save. Particularly given the number of affordable options available in Massachusetts, the cost of caring for an unplanned litter far outweighs the cost of having a pet spayed or neutered.
2. Snipping reduces spraying. Neutering resolves the vast majority of marking behaviors—even when a cat has a long-standing habit. Other nuisance behaviors such as howling in cats and excessive barking in dogs eases and even disappears after surgery.
3. Snipping stops scuffles. According to the National Canine Research Foundation, approximately 92% of fatal dog attacks involved male dogs, 94% of which were not neutered. Neutering male dogs and cats reduces their urge to roam and fight with other males.
4. Snipping lengthens life span. The USA Today reports neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered males, and spayed females live 23% longer than unspayed females.
5. Snipping is a safeguard. Neutering male cats and dogs before six months of age prevents testicular cancer. Spaying female cats and dogs before their first heat offers protection from uterine infections and breast cancer.

So, pet owners, adjust those cool shades, and be part of the solution during National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month! Spay or neuter your furry friend and help spread the word that it’s hip to snip!

It’s Hip to Snip Fun Fact: At the end of every episode of the popular game show The Price is Right, hip host Bob Barker always reminded viewers, “Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. Goodbye, everybody!”   If more people took Bob’s sage advice, there would be fewer homeless cats and dogs and pet overpopulation would be humanely reduced!

Billy is Home for the Holidays After 4 Years Thanks to the ARL & His Microchip!

When Billy first arrived at our Boston shelter from an animal control facility in Western Massachusetts, we could tell he was special. This handsome Bull Terrier was very friendly and seemed like he had an interesting story to tell.

After doing a quick scan, we discovered that he had a microchip… that traced back to Australia! Our intake liaison called several microchip companies, but none of them had a record for him. With only one more company on her list, were hopeful that this would be Billy’s chance for reconnecting with his family, and it was. The Canadian microchip company confirmed that Billy had been microchipped in Australia.

When Alana called his family they couldn’t believe that their Billy had been found and that he was all the way in Boston. He had been stolen from them fours years ago and they had searched for him far and near. His owner drove over from Western Massachusetts to our Boston shelter the following day and the connection was undeniable.

Billy was thrilled to see his dad! That day we learned a few things about Billy. He had been a show-dog since he was a puppy and now has 8 show-stopping grand kids who were waiting for him at home.

Watch the video of his happy reunion with his owner, below.

52% of dogs who enter a shelter with a microchip are successfully returned to their owners and Billy’s story serves as an important reminder to microchip your pets.

We’re so thrilled that Billy will be home for the holidays after all these years!

Your support makes stories like Billy’s possible.

Please help more animals find a home for the holidays this season by making your year-end donation today! Donate online.