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The Most Vulnerable Community Cats, and How You Can Help

The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Community Cats Program provides care for hundreds of community cats from throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on an annual basis, but as we get into the warmer months, ARL is seeing more and more of the most vulnerable – kittens born in the wild.

Dedicated to Making a Difference

ARL is the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts with a dedicated agent working with community cats.

Working throughout the state, ARL’s Community Cat Agent will identify and assess a colony of cats, and formulate a trap-neuter-return (TNR) plan for each situation.

Once the cats are humanely trapped, they are transported to an ARL Animal Care and Adoption Center where they receive medical treatment, including vaccines and spay/neuter surgery, and are also assessed behaviorally to determine adoption potential.

Since its inception in 2017, the program has assisted well over 3,000 community cats, and the need to help these animals has increased every year of the program – and as we get into the warmer months of the year, kittens are being born in great numbers and are extremely vulnerable to the elements, predators, illness and injury, among other threats.

Tansy and Posie

Tansy and Posie are a sibling pair of female kittens, and former community cats, recently taken in by ARL.

Former community cats Tansy and Posie.

A family in Rochester, MA, began noticing a group of cats on their property, and over time began to care for the animals by providing food and also outdoor cat shelters – but they also began to notice an abundance of kittens being born.

Doing some online research, the family discovered ARL’s Community Cat Program.

“When I called ARL’s Dedham branch, I cannot tell you the relief I had when they offered their assistance!” said Sarah Aanensen. “I wanted so badly to help these cats but knew there was no way to afford to get all these feral cats vet care that they so badly needed.”

Sarah began to humanely trap the cats, and Tansy and Posie were brought to ARL’s Dedham Animal care and Adoption Center.

While too young to be made available for adoption, the kittens have spent several weeks in foster care and are getting stronger by the day!

In a few weeks the kittens will be spayed, vaccinated, and will then find their perfect homes!

How You Can Help Community Cats (and Kittens)

Join us for this year’s Kitten Shower, as we bring awareness of the reality of kitten season and rally support to help fragile babies like Tansy and Posie.

This is your chance to help kittens get the chance they deserve at a safe and healthy life in a home.

Here’s how:

    1. Make a gift today to provide kittens and cats with the care they need – Gifts of $100 or more will be recognized on the Kitten Kuddler Wall of Honor
    2. Send critically-needed supplies from our Kitten Shower Registry directly to those in need
    1. Help spread the word by voting and sharing our Cutest Kitten (or Cat) Photo Contest

Your support can mean the difference between a challenging life outdoors and a happy, secure home for these vulnerable animals.

ARL Hosts Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Clinics

Nearly 100 animals receive rabies vaccine and microchips

This spring, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) continued its efforts to provide low-cost and accessible pet wellness services, and recently held two rabies vaccine and microchip clinics in two towns that ARL proudly calls home.

ARL recently partnered with the Town of Dedham and Dedham Animal Control to host a rabies vaccine and microchip clinic outside of ARL’s new multi-use building, located on ARL’s historic Dedham campus.

ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ provided the state-mandated vaccine for dogs, cats, and ferrets for nearly 60 pets, and the clinic was free for Dedham residents, $10 for the rabies vaccine and $10 for a microchip for non-residents.

Dedham Animal Control was also able to provide on-site dog licenses for dog owners as well!

The Dedham clinic has been an annual tradition for a number of years, and ARL thanks the town and animal control for their collaboration on this important event!

Brewster Clinic

In late April, the Town of Brewster, home to ARL’s Cape Cod Animal Care and Adoption Center, held it’s annual Brewster in Bloom Festival, with ARL holding its rabies vaccine and microchip clinic in conjunction with the weekend-long event.

ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ was on-site at Brewster’s Lemon Tree Village Shops, providing vaccines and microchips for nearly 50 pets.

A Community Connection

While these rabies vaccine and microchip clinics provide an essential service for pets, it’s also an opportunity for pet owners to get to know ARL a little better and learn what other services may be available for residents in the communities ARL proudly serves.

With the Dedham and Brewster rabies vaccine and microchip clinics complete, ARL now turns to upcoming events in Boston.

Starting in September, ARL will join Boston Animal Control for two rabies vaccine and microchip clinics – the first happening on September 27 at ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, and the second taking place in October in Dorchester.

Stay tuned for more details!

ARL Celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Week

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) celebrated Volunteer Appreciation Week – a time when the organization and pause and say thank you to the hard work and dedication of these true champions for animals in need.

After two years of hosting virtual events, ARL was once again able to hold three in-person volunteer appreciation week events at ARL’s Boston, Dedham and Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Centers to celebrate and personally thank each and every volunteer at ARL.

In 2021, 1,059 volunteers dedicated nearly 40,000 hours to help animals in need, while ARL’s 526 foster families opened their hearts and homes to 1,071 animals!

Volunteers are at the heart of ARL’s mission and are the backbone to the organization’s day-to-day operations.

From feeding animals, cleaning kennels, walking dogs, working with behaviorally challenging animals, sorting through linens and donations, to many other duties, ARL volunteers all bring something unique to the organization, but all have one thing in common – the love and dedication to assisting the animals in ARL’s care in any way possible.

“While it’s always an honor to recognize our dedicated volunteer and foster families, to be able to once again hold these celebrations in-person was truly special,” stated ARL Associate Director of Volunteer Engagement, Debby Chaplic. “ARL volunteers are such a special group of individuals and the work they do each and every day continues to inspire as they are true champions for animals in need.”

During each of this year’s volunteer appreciation events, ARL also continued the tradition of handing out a number of awards to volunteers and staff that consistently go above and beyond.

Without further ado, the winners!

    • Best of Boston- Betsy Jones of Watertown
    • Cape’d Crusader- Teresa Snow of Harwich
    • Dedham’s Most Dignified- Melissa Salce of Dedham
    • ARL’s Unsung Hero- Susan McNeice of Needham and Josephine Paolucci of West Roxbury
    • All Other Creatures Big and Small- Leo Settoducato of Somerville
    • Admin’s Above and Beyond- Carol Svenson of Arlington and Elna Rapp of Boston
    • Our Four Footed Friends Favorite Foster Parent-  Lori Everett of W. Dennis and Donna Tormey of Shirley

Additionally, volunteers also voted for the following awards for ARL staff: 

    • Boston- Michelle Polin of Attleboro
    • Brewster- Sadie Santos of Truro
    • Dedham- Courtney Foley of Quincy

And in a new category, volunteers also had the opportunity this year to vote for ARL Pets of the Year:

    • Dog: Benjamin of Dedham
    • Cat: Godric of Boston and Jungle Jazz of Brewster
    • Other: Mike the Macaw and Violet the Pig of Dedham

Why Volunteer?

First and foremost, nonprofit organizations like ARL simply could not have such a wide reach to help animals in need without volunteers. Volunteers are integral members of the ARL family.

But volunteering has benefits beyond caring and participating in such a worthwhile cause.

About 63 million people, or 25% of the U.S. population, donate their time and talents to worthy causes.

In addition to making a difference in the community, volunteering has been shown to improve a person’s health by increasing physical activity, enhancing your mood and decreasing stress.

Another bonus?  The majority of hiring managers nationally see volunteerism as an asset in candidates seeking employment.

Learn more about volunteering at ARL.

ARL Participates in Special Ceremony to Mark Signing of Nero’s Law

This week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker took part in a stirring ceremony on Cape Cod, marking the passage of Nero’s Law.

Representatives from ARL, who advocated for the passage of the legislation, also took part in the ceremony.

The ceremony, held at a Yarmouth Police training center being built in honor of Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon, had additional meaning, as the ceremony took place on the 4-year anniversary of a tragic event.

On April 12, 2018, Sgt. Gannon was shot and killed while serving a search warrant, and his K9 partner Nero, was critically wounded.

At the time, Nero could not be treated at the scene due to state law. The passage of Nero’s Law ensures that police dogs like Nero have access to emergency care and transport by first responders, should they be wounded in the field.

“We shouldn’t even have to debate or discuss whether or not they [K-9s] get shot or injured in the line of duty, that we should do what we can to save them because Lord knows they would save us if the role was reversed,” Governor Baker said.

Nero’s Law was an important part of ARL’s 2021-2022 legislative agenda, and Joe King, ARL’s Director of Law Enforcement, former K9 handler and major with the Massachusetts State Police, testified in support of the legislation, which passed unanimously at the State House.

ARL Continues Spay/Neuter Clinics with Massachusetts Animal Fund

Over the past several years, ARL’s Spay Waggin’ has been the focal point for a number of special clinics to deliver vital spay and neuter services to underserved communities, in partnership with the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF).

Primarily the clinics have taken place in Fall River, MA, an area along the South Coast of Massachusetts with a severe lack of accessible and affordable spay/neuter services.

This week, ARL and MAF teamed up once again, but this time delivering services to two dozen pet owners in New Bedford, MA – another South Coast area hard hit by a lack of accessible and affordable spay/neuter services.

The surgeries for these special clinics are under the MAF voucher program, which distributes vouchers to qualifying low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

Due to an incredibly high demand, many clinic clients had been on a waiting list for months and some upwards of a year to have their pets spayed or neutered.

These clinics give clients easy access to high-quality veterinary care, and the MAF vouchers remove the financial burden from pet owners who would otherwise be unable to afford the important procedure.

“I’ve been waiting for 8 months and was told there was a big demand but would be contacted and they reached about a month ago,” said Nicole Canfield, whose cat Jynx was spayed during the clinic. “It’s very important, and a giant help, my normal vet wanted over $300 just to fix her which I couldn’t afford on a fixed income.”

“My cat Midnight, – he’s year-and-a-half, and I needed to get him fixed,” said Spay Waggin’ client Brandi Mosher. “This program is great, I wouldn’t be able to get him fixed without it, I heard about this program through the animal control officer and am very grateful (for this service).”

ARL is slated to take part in clinics in both New Bedford and Fall River later this spring.

Making a difference since 2000

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ has been at the forefront of providing accessible and affordable high-quality spay/neuter services to the South Shore, South Coast and Cape Cod and the Islands since the program first hit the road in 2000.

Click here for more information and to book an appointment on the Spay Waggin’.

ARL Takes Part in State House Rally Urging Legislators to Pass Boarding Kennel Regulations

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Advocacy team participated in a rally on the front steps of the Massachusetts State House, urging legislators to pass legislation to implement uniform regulations for animal boarding facilities throughout the Commonwealth.

Currently there are no regulations regarding doggie day care and boarding facilities in Massachusetts.

At the beginning of the legislative session, a piece of legislation dubbed “Ollie’s Law” was filed, and sought to establish regulations regarding animal health and employee safety, allowing pet families to choose the best facility to suit their animal’s needs.

This legislation was born out of tragedy. In 2020, Amy Baxter brought her Labradoodle Ollie to a Western Massachusetts doggie daycare facility, only to receive a text shortly after saying Ollie had a cut and needed to be picked up. While the only employee working left the dogs unsupervised, he had been attacked by other dogs and was severely injured. Sadly Ollie died of his injuries two months later.

While the facility was shuttered by town officials, Baxter was stunned to learn that there were no state regulations regarding boarding facilities, and soon took up the fight to help ensure tragedy’s like this never happen again.

Unfortunately, the bill did not move forward.

However, An act protecting the health and safety of puppies and kittens in cities and towns (S.1332), remains very much alive, and does include language to establish regulations for boarding facilities.

ARL, along with other animals advocates make up the Ollie’s Law Coalition, and used this week’s rally to not only inform the public of a lack of regulations for boarding facilities, but to publicly urge the legislature to take action.

The goal is to prevent further tragedies like Ollie in the future.

“It’s my way honoring Ollie and also my way of healing myself and my family,” Baxter said. “If we can prevent this from happening again — whether it’s in Ollie’s name or not — then I’ll feel we accomplished something significant.”

“Every day that kennels and daycares are unregulated, the burden is on pet families to ensure that their pets are in good hands,” stated ARL Director of Advocacy Ally Blanck. “Reasonable regulation would protect pets, families, and the employees at these businesses.”

ARL’s Board Safely™ Campaign

With a continued lack of regulations in place for boarding facilities, it’s up to pet owners to do their own research when choosing a place to board their pet.

ARL’s Board Safety™ campaign provides pet families with the tools to help selecting a facility that is right for them.

Click here to see the steps you need to take to help ensure your pet will be taken care of.

ARL Appears on Good Morning America as Part of Betty White Challenge Coverage

On Monday, January 17, 2022, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America, as part of the program’s coverage of the Betty White Challenge – which asked animal lovers to donate $5 to humane organizations across the country in recognition of the late actress’s fondness for animals.

During the nationally televised segment, ARL discussed several aspects of the organization, including programs that have developed during the Covid-19 pandemic, with GMA correspondent Will Reeve.

Additionally, the segment showcased Oliver Twist and Adeline, a pair of adorable piglets, currently in ARL’s care and will soon be available for adoption.

ARL was truly honored for the opportunity to discuss the organization in front of a national audience, and to commemorate what would have been Betty White’s 100th birthday.

And a special thank you to all who donated during the special day as the funds raised will help countless animals in need!

ARL Joins Mass Animal Fund for Special Spay/Neuter Clinic in Fall River

22 Animals received vital surgery

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Spay Waggin’ was once again in Fall River to spay/neuter nearly two dozen animals as part of an ongoing collaborative effort with ARL, the Massachusetts Animal Fund (MAF), and Fall River Animal Control.

It’s the third year in a row ARL has hosted the clinic in collaboration with MAF and Fall River Animal Control. The surgeries are under the MAF voucher program, which distributes vouchers to qualifying low-income pet owners to cover the cost of the important procedure.

Due to high demand and Covid-19-restrictions, many clients have been on a waiting list for a number of months to have their pets spayed or neutered, and ARL is pleased to once again be providing this vital service that’s greatly needed in the Fall River Community.

“Fall River is already a struggling community, but since the pandemic, it seems as if getting spay/neuter services has proven to be even more difficult,” said Cynthia Beard-Cadima, Fall River Animal Control Officer. “People contact us daily, asking for funds.  Many are out of work and our homeless community is growing.  We are stretching every dime and our veterinarians are donating time and services more than ever.”

ARL’s Spay Waggin’

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ provides high-quality, low-cost spay and neuter services to animals in need on the South Shore, South Coast, Cape Cod and the Islands, as well as select locations in Metro Boston.

Since 2000 the Spay Waggin’ has provided services for more than 60,000 animals.

The Spay Waggin’ is by appointment only, and to for more information and to book an appointment, call (877) 590-SPAY (7729), or email spaywaggin@arlboston.org.

ARL Hosts Cape Cod Supporter Events

ARL Volunteer presented with annual Champion for Animals Award

2021 has been exciting year for the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), especially on Cape Cod.

ARL is proud to mark a century of service to the Cape Cod region, and this past month ARL hosted two Paws to Celebrate events to bring Cape-based supporters together to mark this special milestone.

Two wonderful venues, the historic Chatham Orpheum Theatre and Truro Vineyards, hosted these events.

Along with words of thanks and appreciation from ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino, and ARL Board of Directors Chair Walter Kenyon, both events also featured an amazing documentary from photographer, documentarian, and ARL volunteer Kim Rodgriguez, along with cinematographer Geoffrey Bassett.

The Way Home: A Century of Finding Loving Companions for Shelter Animals, is a celebration of ARL’s century of service on Cape Cod, and highlights the human-animal bond through touching stories of animals and the families who adopted them from ARL.

“I have had a love affair with the Animal Rescue League of Boston since adopting our first family dog, Snubby, in 1975,” Roderiques said. “ARL has been a pillar in the Cape community finding homes for countless animals for one hundred years. Having the opportunity, thanks to a grant from Rockland Trust, to document their journey through the lens while sharing the most moving and riveting stories of animals surviving and thriving, along with acknowledging those who have been integral in making adoptions successful, is a dream come true.”

As a companion piece to the documentary, Kim published a photo book also titled, The Way Home, featuring a collection of images related to ARL’s rich history on the Cape, as well as photos of animals that have been adopted from the Brewster Animal Care & Adoption Center.  The book’s production has been graciously sponsored by Agway of Cape Cod, and is available at Agway’s three locations for a suggested donation amount of $25.

A Champion for Animals

The Cape event in Chatham also afforded the opportunity for Dr. Schettino to present Kim Roderiques with the Champion for Animals Award, given annually to a person who goes above and beyond to make meaningful impacts for animals in need.

Kim has volunteered at ARL for 10-plus years, being involved with numerous events and lending her photographic talents to make sure adoptable animals look their best!

“Kim is a remarkable person and her contributions to ARL over the years are truly incredible,” said Dr. Schettino. “Her compassion for animals is immeasurable, and ARL is proud to be able to honor her with the 2021 Champion for Animals Award.”

Thank you to our Paws to Celebrate host committee and sponsors:

Mary and Bob Bainbridge, Grace Fey, Tony Guthrie, Brian Hyde and Joe Fiorello,

Michael Kaplan and Matt Bell, Susan Kurtzman, Connie and Peter Lacaillade, Patti Lotane,

Sharon Mabile, Trish Regan, Heather and Park Ridill, José Rodriguez-Villalobos and

Christopher Lapan, Kim Roderiques, Carol Warshawsky, and Cape Cod 5 Foundation

It’s Kitten Season!

The warm weather of the spring and summer seasons are a critical time for outdoor and community cats and kittens.

 “Kitten season” is in full swing and we have seen a significant increase in the number of kittens in need of life-saving care.

 These tiny creatures are born outside and at the mercy of the elements. They are at risk of injury, disease, or worse. Left without someone to care for them, they are in serious danger.

three kittens together

You can help them!

Join us for this year’s Kitten Shower, as we bring awareness of the reality of kitten season and rally support to help these fragile babies.

This is your chance to help kittens get the chance they deserve at a safe and healthy life in a home.

 Here’s how:

    1. Make a gift today to provide kittens and cats with the care they need– Gifts of $100 or more will be recognized on the Kitten Kuddler Wall of Honor
    2. Send critically-needed supplies from our Kitten Shower Registry directly to those in need
    1. Help spread the word by participating in our Cutest Kitten (or Cat) Photo Contest – submit a photo of your feline by:

Your support can mean the difference between a challenging life outdoors and a happy, secure home for these vulnerable animals.  

Have you found kittens outside and don’t know what to do?

Call ARL right away by dialing (617) 426-9170, then press “1” and “1” again. Click here to read more and download our flyer

P.S. Though things are re-opening and life may feel more normal, the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the welfare of companion animals. Just one effect of COVID-19 was the delay or prevention of routine care like spay and neuter surgeries. As a result, the number of stray or unowned cats could rapidly increase, putting more animals at risk. Please consider a gift to help these vulnerable animals today.