The following is an op-ed written by ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino 

Dogs and cats have received an unprecedented amount of media coverage over the last few weeks, but for all the wrong reasons.  And the online memes and songs about pets have kept the conversation going. The comments can be painful, but provide an opportunity to share more about the importance of the human-animal bond and its impact on Greater Boston.

At the turn of the 19th century, Anna Harris Smith, a social worker from Dorchester, was called to action after seeing the cruel mistreatment of working horses and the number of stray and homeless animals in Boston.  She advocated for a centrally located shelter to care for them and remarked, “while getting dogs and cats off the street is work worth doing, the teaching of thoughtful kindness is the work that changes families, communities, and a nation.”

On March 13, 1899, thanks to Anna’s efforts, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) was officially incorporated and began helping millions of animals heal, find homes, and stay with their families, while protecting them from cruelty and neglect. Not only did Anna witness the impact on animals, but also saw the effects this cruelty and neglect had on children and adults.

In the first 125 years since our founding, ARL has provided over 6 million animals with care. Our animal care and adoption centers not only provide a temporary home for animals in need, but veterinary services, dog training, behavior help, humane education, humane law enforcement, and community programs.  With kindness and compassion, we now help care for more than 20,000 animals annually.

However, today’s economic challenges, such as the rising cost of living and the housing crisis, are felt all across the Commonwealth.  And, when people struggle, pets also struggle.

Recent studies and data show that these issues deeply affect the animals we love and threaten to separate people from their pets due to cost of care, lack of access, and limited support.  For example, across the US, 12% of people have surrendered a pet because they couldn’t afford veterinary care and 14% of pets end up in shelter due to housing issues[1].  In fact, Boston has been listed as one of the least pet-friendly cities in America, ranking as among the highest for veterinary costs[2].

Scientific research also repeatedly cites the profound positive impact of pet ownership on individual well-being and community health[3].  Pets help reduce conditions such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and contribute to improved mental health, particularly among veterans, seniors, and children.

Pets are family for nearly 50% of Massachusetts households[4], which is why we are doing everything we can to keep pets in homes with the people who love them. From pet food and supplies, to affordable care, to temporary pet housing, and more, we are answering the call for help so that pets can stay where they belong – with their families and out of shelter.

In recent years ARL’s programs and services have expanded and evolved, reflecting emerging issues, advancements in veterinary and animal care, and community needs.  Today, animals in our care are staying longer, have increased medical and behavioral needs, and require more time and financial resources than ever before to treat their unique needs.  And every day we push our boundaries by going beyond sheltering to address the root causes of the issues facing animals and the people who love them.  Through partnerships with communities facing barriers and leading human service organizations in Greater Boston, we help animals heal and thrive, keep pets and people together, and keep families together.

As one of the largest nonprofits in the Commonwealth we are now writing the next chapter in our long history and reinvesting to the city of Boston, its residents, and its pets, for the next 125 years and beyond.  We have committed to rebuild our Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center at our current home in Boston’s historic South End with a new facility, a critical and long-term investment which will provide animals with the highest standards of care for generations.

Today’s challenges for pets and their families are more complicated, more nuanced, and more urgent than ever before, requiring action, innovation and collaboration, and most of all, more compassion.  We must all recognize the intersection between animal welfare and human health, and continue to reimagine how we can work together to make our communities a better place for pets and people.

Dr. Edward Schettino is President & CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston

[1] https://www.lendingtree.com/debt-consolidation/pet-debt-report/

https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/pet-shelter-relinquishment-081224/

[2] Most Pet-Friendly Cities in 2024 (wallethub.com)

[3] https://habri.org/assets/uploads/Health-Care-Cost-Savings-Report.pdf

[4] https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/us-pet-ownership-statistics/