The Animal Rescue League of Boston is an unwavering champion for animals in need, committed to keeping them safe and healthy in habitats and homes.
FREE Pet Behavior Helpline
ARL is committed to being a reliable resource for behavioral and health-related questions about your pet – well after they have been introduced to their new home! Learn more.
ARL is very proud to offer Match-Up II, an evaluation and rehoming tool to all animal shelters in order to assist them in rehoming dogs in their care. Register today.
While bringing home a pet comes along with a great deal of excitement, it can also come along with a lot of questions!
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is committed to being a reliable resource for behavioral and health-related questions about your pet – well after they have been introduced to their new home!
If you have basic behavioral questions about your pet, such as excessive barking, crate training, house soiling, etc., call our FREE Pet Behavior Helpline at (617) 226-5666 and an ARL representative will get back to you within 48 hours.
Looking for basic training for your dog? ARL offers a variety of dog training courses as part of our commitment to supporting positive relationships between people and their pets. Learn more.
Let’s Talk Pets is a series of FREE workshops hosted by the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) for pet owners in the Codman Square neighborhood and beyond. Workshops will focus on subjects, such as basic animal care and hygiene, living with pets and children, winter pet safety, behavior and enrichment exercises, and more!
UPCOMING WORKSHOP:
Saturday, April 29 at 10:00AM
Basic Care for Birds, Rabbits, Cats, and Dogs
Light refreshments and ARL tote for attendees (limited to 1 per family).
Topics covered: Cage set up for birds and small animals; basic care and hygiene; importance of physical exercise; behavior myth
To reserve your spot for this workshop, call (617) 426-9170.
Please note: workshops are by reservation only and are first come, first serve.
All the animals at ARL shelters in Boston, Brewster and Dedham are getting into the St. Paddy’s Day spirit!
If you’re looking to add a furry addition to your family, visit our adoptable pets at our shelters from 1 pm – 6:30 pm, Tuesdays – Sundays and find your lucky charm today. (Green top hat not included.)
Speaking of pet-friendly holidays, St. Patrick’s Day is most definitely a festive celebration of Irish culture, music, and the opportunity to dress up in bright green and shamrock prints. (Read: fun!) As with any holiday however, remember to take precautions with food and libations which may not be safe for pets to ingest.
If you plan to celebrate the holiday in a home where a pet resides, keep in mind three safety guidelines to ensure that everyone has a good time:
Keep the leash. If your dog is a genuinely friendly, relaxed, confident and calm dog with familiar and unfamiliar people, things and dogs, maybe he could be included in St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Still, it’s best to keep your dog leash. The smell of food, a large group of people, and other excited pets can easily overstimulate a dog, increasing the potential for poor behavior and bites.
Watch the secret sippers. Alcohol is poisonous to cats, dogs, and other animals and can lead to severe illness or death. Do not leave alcoholic bottles, cans, etc. on the floor or in reach of a pet. Although the container may seem empty, even ingesting trace amounts can cause illness in animals. If you suspect that a pet may have ingested alcohol, look for the following symptoms and seek emergency medical treatment: excessive drooling, retching, vomiting, stomach distension, elevated heart rate, weakness, low blood pressure, hypothermia, or coma.
Beware the sneaky eaters. We’ve all had it happen—turn your back for just a second and your pet starts to eat the food right off your plate! Keep food and snacks out of paws reach because many party foods can be hazardous to cats and dogs. Though you might be tempted to share your St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage with your furry friend, keep in mind corned beef contains a high amount of sodium, which isn’t good for cats or dogs. Onions—a frequent ingredient in many corned beef and cabbage recipes—can also damage a cat’s red blood cells, restricting their capacity to carry oxygen effectively.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is a leader in animal health and safety, keeping animals out of shelters and in the habitats and homes where they belong. As part of our commitment to supporting positive relationships between people and animals, ARL offers the following resources to adopters and members of our community:
Health
Schedule a Wellness Visit for Your Pet Make an appointment at Boston Veterinary Care – a clinic with a mission, all proceeds benefit shelter animals at ARL!
Behavior
Enroll Your Pet in Dog Training Learn moreabout ARL’s dog training courses.
Contact ARL’s FREE Pet Behavior Helpline Contact an ARL representative at (617) 226-5666 regarding basic behavioral questions about your pet.
Surrender an Animal Contactthe Intake Office at the ARL shelter location closest to you to speak with a representative.
Safety
Report Animal Cruelty & Neglect
Call ARL’s Law Enforcement Department at (617) 226-5610.
Help Your Pet in Distress
Call ARL’s Rescue Services at (617) 426-9170; then press “1″.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) has animals of many types, breeds, sizes and ages. Search available pets now by selecting the type of pet you are interested in below.
Under 6 months: $450
6 months – 7 years: $300
Over 8 years: $200
Under 6 months: $200
6 months – 3 years: $150
4 – 7 years: $125
Over 8 years: $100
Small animals/Other: $25
Other species: Fees Vary, Please Call
Adopt a Pet from ARL
At the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), our goal is for animals to be safe and healthy where they belong, in homes and out of shelters.
No matter how they came to the shelter – through a law enforcement case such as a hoarding situation, as a stray brought in by a kind citizen or an animal control officer, or when an owner passes away – cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and even pot-bellied pigs are treated with kindness and compassion.
Every animal that comes through our doors is immediately provided with extraordinary medical care by our Shelter Veterinary Medicine team.
While most shelters put an emphasis on physical care, we at the ARL know that an animal’s mental and emotional well-being is equally as important. Each animal participates in our unique Shelter Behavior and Enrichment program to not only make them happy and comfortable while they’re in our shelter, but also prepare them for life in their future home.
When you adopt a pet from one of our shelters in Boston, Brewster, or Dedham, you not only give a homeless animal a safe and loving place to live, but also save two lives: the animal you adopt and the animal who can take its place.
Another great perk? All of this is included in your new pet’s adoption fee:
Spay or neuter services (excluding some small animals)
Health screening and veterinary examination
Behavior evaluations & enrichment
Vaccinations
Microchip identification and registration
Heartworm test and preventative medication for dogs
Feline Leukemia test for cats
Flea, tick, and mite treatment
Deworming for intestinal parasites
Tag, collar, and leash or carrier
A starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet food for cats and dogs
And more!
Adoption Process and Requirements
ARL’s priority is to connect an animal in need with a loving family. Everything we know about the animal’s behavior and health status will be disclosed and discussed with potential adopters to ensure he/she is the right fit for your home.
We require the following as part of the adoption process:
Adopter must be 18 years of age or older
A current government-issued ID (no student IDs)
Have a conversation with an ARL adoption counselor
A photo of the cage your pet will live in, if adopting a small animal or bird
Please contact your local ARL adoption center for more details.
Shelter Behavior & Enrichment Program
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is an unwavering champion for animals in need, committed to keeping them safe and healthy… before, during, and after they leave our shelters. Most other animal shelters put an emphasis on the medical and physical aspects of animal care. At ARL, we know that an animal’s mental and emotional well-being is equally as important. ARL’s staff and volunteers, including the MOD Squad (Behavior Modification Squad), go the extra mile to determine the best methods to help each animal adapt to their new environment and get them ready to find a new home through behavior evaluation and modification, and enrichment.
Behavior Evaluation & Modification
ARL’s behavior evaluation process takes in all the information available to us for each animal. When possible, we start with a profile when an owner relinquishes a pet to us. If the animal comes in as a stray, we do everything that we can to gather as much information about an animal’s behavior.
Our shelter dogs go through a systematic behavior evaluation in which they are screened for friendliness to humans, excitement levels, fear, aggression, and how well they know cues.
For all animals, we gather and report behavior observed in the shelter and compile this information to determine each individual animal’s enrichment needs:
Customized Enrichment Plan
Each animal participates in ARL’s unique Shelter Behavior and Enrichment program to not only make them happy and comfortable while they’re in our shelter, but also prepare them for life in their future home.
ARL uses holistic methods to enrich their daily experience through a combination of proper socialization, playtime, and relaxation.
Shelter Veterinary Services
ARL’s Shelter Veterinary Medicine Team provides comprehensive veterinary services for all three of the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham.
Every animal that comes to an ARL shelter receives a medical evaluation from one of our highly-qualified, caring shelter veterinarians. Our team members continuously train and work to expand skills to meet the needs of a diverse range of species including dogs, cats, rabbits, small animal, bird, and livestock, coming from a variety of living situations and conditions.
In 2016, our team:
Completed over 4,000 exams on our shelter pets
Performed over 1,500 surgeries for our shelter pets
Want to learn from our team? View our student opportunities:
5 tips to protect your pet from theft… and what to do if you’re a victim
We do it all the time: We let our cat out in the backyard on a sunny day. We tether our dog to the street lamp to run a quick errand. We live in a safe neighborhood, so what could possibly happen?
Due to the ever-changing economy and the pet business becoming increasingly more lucrative, the scary truth is that pet theft is on the rise. Just as you wouldn’t leave a young child outside unsupervised, the same should go for your pet.With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, don’t forget to show your furry companion how much you love them by keeping them out of harm’s way.
If your pet goes missing, immediately contact your local animal control and shelters.
Follow these 5 important tips to protect your pet from theft:
At home, keep your pets supervised at all times. Think twice before letting your cat roam freely around the neighborhood or tying your pup to the tree in your front yard.
Running an errand? Leave your pet at home. Although walking your dog while tackling your daily chores may seem like you’re accomplishing double-duty, the reality is that it only takes a few seconds for a dog-napper to take off with your pet.
Follow the same rules for pets of all breeds and sizes. Although purebreds and small dogs are the most desirable to a thief for obvious reasons, big friendly dogs or mixed breeds can be just as easily lured into a get-away car waiting nearby.
Spay or neuter your pet. February is National Spay and Neuter Awareness Month and the ARL has been sharing the many health and behavioral benefits of the low-risk procedure. Another perk? Spayed or neutered pets are much less desirable to thieves, since they can’t be bred.
Microchip your pet. It only takes a second for a thief to remove your pet’s collar, making them very difficult to identify should they turn up at an animal shelter or hospital. Quick and painless, microchipping your pet is extremely important to ensure that you and your pet are reunited.
If you find yourself in a situation where you think your pet was stolen:
Immediately file a report with your local police department and animal control.
Contact your pet’s microchip company, as well as local animal shelters and hospitals to see if your pet has turned up.
Post fliers around your neighborhood, especially in public spaces and businesses, with your pet’s photo, name, breed, color, weight and any distinguishing characteristics.
If you offer a reward, ask for a very detailed description of your pet and how they came into that person’s possession. If you suspect that you are being scammed, call the police.
Monitor newspaper ads and online postings to look for any that might fit your pet’s description.
PREVENT PET THEFT BEFORE IT HAPPENS! Report any suspicious activity, or animal cruelty and neglect to your local police department and animal control office.
5 factors to consider before you give pets as Valentine’s Day gift
It seems like a no-brainer… Giving a pet as a present can be a win-win situation for everyone involved: the animal has a cozy home to call its own, the recipient is in a state of awe, and the giver (you!) has made your loved one’s Valentine’s Day even more romantic.
While this is the gift-giving scenario that every animal lover dreams of, make sure it really is the purrfect present for the person on your list.
If giving your loved one a new pet as a present is on your mind, here are 5 things to consider:
Manage the surprise. Even at the risk of spoiling the surprise, make sure that the intended recipient wants a new pet. Check in with someone who currently has pets or has recently lost one to make sure they are ready.
Don’t make them sneeze. That’s not a twinkle in their eye; it’s allergies. Confirm any allergies among all household members. No one wants to go get an allergy shot after opening what’s supposed to be an extra special gift, after all.
Know where they live. Even if you know your intended recipient really wants a pet, ensure that their building and development allows them. If their home is pet-friendly, be sure to confirm any weight or breed restrictions.
Find out what they can handle. You want to know that the animal you are getting matches the lifestyle, physical limitation, ages, and personalities in the household.
Adopt from a shelter. When you adopt, you give an animal a chance at a better life. Adopting from a reputable animal shelter like the ARL’s locations in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham also has many practical benefits. All our adoptable animals, for example, receive spay/neuter services, vaccines, and a health and behavioral screening.
Keep in mind… It never hurts to run the idea by your loved one beforehand or take them along to pick out their new pet. They and their new furry friend will be thanking you for many years to come!
The ARL has many deserving animals looking for a home!
It’s not just snowing cats and dogs here at ARL’s shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham. We have many special small shelter pets like birds and rabbits who are looking for loving homes!
Enroll your pup in one of the ARL’s many dog training classes!
Start your dog’s New Year off on the right paw by enrolling him or her in one of ARL’s many dog training and enrichment courses!
DID YOU KNOW… that January is National Train Your Dog Month?
Whether your dog is a newbie, needs a refresher on his basic commands, or just wants to meet a few new canine pals, the ARL has a class for you!
Help Rover keep his New Year’s resolutions by registering him for one of ARL’s Winter/Spring 2017 dog training and enrichment courses offered at our Boston shelter location at 10 Chandler Street.
The ARL offers a variety of dog training classes at our Boston shelter for dogs of all ages and levels as part of our commitment to supporting positive relationships between people and their pets.
Our certified, experienced, and caring dog trainers help you teach your dog basic and advanced commands, manners, socializing skills, and agility training.
Click here to view course descriptions and sign up your pup today!
For questions or more information about ARL’s dog training courses, contact us at 617-426-9170 or behavior@arlboston.org.
It’s heartbreaking to see an owner lose their pet. It’s equally as devastating to see a pet lose their owner.
At the ARL, we frequently see cases of the latter – typically senior pets that had senior owners who were ill. As tragic as these cases are, these situations often have a happy outcome for the pets involved.
Read this incredible story about how ARL helped two senior dogs that lost their owners much too soon…
Sandy, a 7-year-old Chow mix dog, was rescued by ARL in 2013 after roaming an industrial park in the Greater Boston Area for over a year. Because of the prolonged exposure to rain and snow, Sandy had lost a majority of her fur. Her skin red and raw, her body exhausted and emaciated, she spent her first few days at ARL cowering behind her bed. With intensive veterinary care, behavior and enrichment training, along with plenty of love and attention from staff and volunteers, Sandy slowly began to heal.
Several months later, Sandy met Bill, a gentleman who had recently lost both his beloved wife and dog. He had been looking for a companion to share his golden years with. After hearing Sandy’s story, Bill knew that she’d be the perfect canine companion and adopted her. The duo had a wonderful life together, until, sadly, Bill passed away a short time later.
Quirky, arthritic, and wary of strangers, Sandy returned to ARL’s Brewster shelter where volunteers and staff showered her with extra TLC. For almost 6 months she waited patiently hoping to find another special family to call her own.
As luck would have it, Ralph, a Cape Cod resident, was looking for a senior dog. Needless to say, he and Sandy were the perfect pair. On adoption day, Sandy jumped right into his truck - arthritis and all – and fell asleep on Ralph’s lap before they’d even left the parking lot. Sandy lived a happy life with Ralph for 2 years, until she recently passed away from bladder cancer.
Sandy (pictured left) at our Brewster Adoption Center and with her adopter Ralph.
Meanwhile… Jasmine, a 8-year-old long-haired Rottweiler, was surrender to ARL’s Brewster shelter in January 2016 due to financial reasons. She was adopted shortly thereafter, however, she came back to us in October when, like Sandy, her owner had died. Luck was not on her side.
A tough senior girl, Jasmine was very particular and did not get along with other dogs at the shelter. ARL’s volunteers and staff were concerned about her future adoptability and knew that she just had to go home with someone special.
As fate would have it, Ralph, who was still grieving the loss of his canine companion Sandy, saw Jasmine’s photo on arlboston.org and instantly felt a connection with her. After a 48 hour trial, Ralph fell in love with Jasmine and brought her home – just in time for the holidays! By all accounts, the new pair are doing wonderfully together.
It was love at first sight for Jasmine and Ralph!
Although tragedy can pull pets and their owners apart, the ARL stands ready to jump in and connect both animals and people with the resources they need to make things right – all thanks to supporters like you.
A special message from ARL’s President Mary Nee…
My deepest thanks to everyone who answered my request for help last week with a generous donation for animals in need.
Please give as generously as you can and let us start the new year with the resources to respond whenever we receive that call for animals in need. Click to thered buttonbelow to…
