Too Hot for Spot: Beach Safety Tips for You and Your Dog
Beach days can be a blast when you bring along a canine buddy, but taking a dog to the beach requires some preparation, know-how and a little common sense.
Whether your dog’s running around, jumping through waves, or just laying in the sun, it’s important to remember that anything that can harm you can harm Fido too including, sunburns, riptides, jellyfish, broken glass, sharp shells and aggressive dogs.
Here are some very important tips that will help your dog stay safe at the beach:
Provide a shady retreat under a beach umbrella, tree or a make-shift tent.
Bring plenty of fresh, cool water and a dog bowl.
The sand can be scorching on sensitive paws, so offer a blanket or towel for your dog.
Take caution with short-muzzled breeds, like pugs, Boston terriers, and shih tzus. They can overheat very quickly.
Watch for signs of overheating. Symptoms may include: rapid panting and drooling, coordination problems, vomiting and/or diarrhea, collapse and loss of consciousness .
Avoid Sunburns: Short-coated dogs, light-colored dogs and those with pink noses can sunburn the same way that we do.
Keep a collar and ID tags on your dog at all times.
Check with your vet to make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations and licenses.
Lastly, follow beach rules! Many beaches don’t allow dogs in season or during peak hours. Remember that beach rules are actually laws, and can be punishable by a fine. Check online to make sure your beach allows dogs before you go and take notice of any rules posted near the beach.
Supervise your pet as you would a child, this will ensure that he’s safe and not bothering anyone who might not enjoy the company of a dog as much as you do.
Now that you’re prepared for a beach day, go have some fun in the sun with your canine pal!
Sugar – A Young Horse at our Dedham Shelter Finally Found a Home this Weekend!
After 399 days at the Animal Rescue League’s shelter in Dedham, Sugar, a playful three-year-old filly, went home with a wonderful new family over the weekend. She’ll be living on beautiful Cape Cod with a family that’s excited to take on the feat of starting her under a saddle and treating her like a family pet.
Sugar first came to us with her mother back in July of 2013 after we rescued her from a small tenant farm in Southeastern, MA. She was severely neglected – left on a muddy paddock with no food or water – and had never been trained to interact with humans.
Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Dedham staff who worked with Sugar regularly to teach her to trust humans again, this great horse will make a great companion for her new family.
On Saturday, Sugar walked onto the trailer carefree and ready for her next adventure!
We’re so happy that this fantastic family has brought Sugar into their lives and are giving her the chance to be a beloved pet and best friend to their 16-year-old daughter!
As you work on your “to do” list for this week, please remember that in less than two weeks, the legislative session at the Massachusetts State House comes to an end. If H.4328, an important bill that would increase penalties for animal cruelty, doesn’t pass before July 31, it gets thrown out.
We will have to start all over again to make progress on updating animal cruelty penalties during the 2015-2016 session.
Please make two critical phone calls this week.
1. To Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo’s Office, 617.722.2500 All you have to do is say this: “Hello, please ask Speaker DeLeo to help pass H.4328 before July 31. This is the bill that would protect animals against animal cruelty in Massachusetts. Thank you.”
2. To the Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Dempsey’s Office, 617.722.2990 “Hello, please ask Representative Dempsey to help pass H.4328 before July 31. This is the bill that would protect animals against animal cruelty in Massachusetts. Thank you.”
Don’t worry about having a conversation with anyone. These offices have interns that answer the phone and log in calls like these in support of the bill. They do it all day long!
Only with your help do we have a chance at getting H.4328 passed.
Make your voice louder: Ask your friends to make the same two phone calls. Forward this email and post on social media.
Thank you for taking action and giving a voice to the victims of animal cruelty.
Visit bit.ly/h4244post for more on H.4328 and what you can do to prevent animal cruelty.
Animal Rescue League & Boston Veterinary Care are Boston A-List Nominees
As the defending champions of last year’s “BEST Local Charity” award on the Boston A-List, we’re asking you to vote for us and tell your friends to do the same!
The Boston A-List is a contest featuring more than 4,712 local businesses competing to be named best. YOUR votes determine the outcome. If you are passionate about the Animal Rescue League and the work that we do, please cast your vote. Voting ends Friday, August 1st.
Additionally, Boston Veterinary Care is a contender for “BEST Veterinarian,” so if you’re a BVC client and you love your vet, or if you love that BVC helps our shelter pets please vote for them.
Our Shelter Pets Received Great Donations this Week Thanks to Some Very Caring Folks
A kitten hangs out on some of Janice’s new beds.
Our shelter pets have had some nifty new bedding, treats, toys and other accessories thanks to several awesome donations earlier this week!
Janice Caporrella of Everett, MA who has been making a variety of cat and dog beds for us from scrap fabric and materials provided by:
North Parish Quilters
Yankee Quilters
Emma’s Quilt Cupboard
Quilter’s Common
Over the last 6 or 7 months we have been provided with more than 100 beds thanks to Janice her quilting friends!
On Saturday, Lisa and her mother (Barbara, pictured on the right) came in to our Boston shelter and made a large donation of treats, toys, bedding, bowls, etc. They’re members of a group called Blankets & Bowls which collects donations for local animal shelters.
We’d like to extend a big thank you to Janice, Lisa and Barbara for their generous donations to the ARL’s shelter pets. Comfort and enrichment are so important to animals during their stay at any animal shelter and we’re very grateful for donations like these.
If you’d like to donate supplies to our Boston shelter view our Amazon wishlist.
Barbara (r) with one of our shelter agents and volunteers on Saturday.
Animal welfare organizations push for passage of important bill before July 31
Boston, MA– Animal welfare organizations including the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and the MSPCA-Angell have united behind House Bill (H.) 4244 and have issued a call to action to Massachusetts residents to contact legislators to move the pending legislation to the house floor for a vote before the legislative session ends on July 31.
H. 4244 would increase the maximum penalties for convictions of animal cruelty from 5 to 7 years and from $2,500 to $5,000. The bill also creates a task force comprised of experts in law enforcement, animal protection, veterinary medicine, and the legal system to do a comprehensive evaluation of Massachusetts animal cruelty laws to ensure continued progress.
State Representative Lou Kafka, one of H. 4244’s sponsors, explains, “The bill makes a necessary update to outdated penalties and ensures that legislators continually receive the best advice on how to combat animal cruelty in our Commonwealth from those who deal with it most frequently.”
Though the bill has wide-spread support in both the Massachusetts House and Senate, the challenge is to move the bill forward for a vote before the end of the month.
“The case of Puppy Doe galvanized many animal welfare advocates and legislators to put forward legislation like H. 4244, and we need to keep the momentum going,” says Mary Nee, president of the ARL. “We see far too many cases of animal cruelty every day. Passing this bill now is critical to strengthening our ability to prevent future cases in Massachusetts.”
Massachusetts currently has some of the most lenient fines in the nation for animal abuse and ranks behind many other states on prison time as well. Nee adds cruelty penalties have not been updated or expanded in nearly ten years.
The ARL and MSPCA-Angell have information posted on their websites and social media explaining how to find contact information for legislators, what to say, and how to spread the word to other animal welfare supporters. Visit arlboston.org/take-action for more information from the ARL.
Another of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Bruce Ayers believes, “The passage of the bill out of the Judiciary Committee two weeks ago is evidence that lawmakers are listening to their constituents, who—especially in the wake of the horrific Puppy Doe animal abuse case in Quincy, my district, last year —are demanding stricter penalties for those who abuse or kill animals.”
Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy for the MSPCA-Angell states, “Research has consistently shown a link between animal cruelty and violence against humans. By increasing the penalty for animal cruelty we are not only working to keep animals safe from harm but we can hopefully have an even bigger impact in the overall efforts to reduce crime. This bill will ensure that this is just the beginning of an effort to protect animals.”
In addition to increasing penalties, H. 4244 would also require veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty, a provision supported by Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association. The amended bill took provisions from bills filed by Representatives Kafka and Ayers, as well as Senator Tarr’s PAWS Act.
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About the Animal Rescue League of Boston
Founded in 1899, the ARL is dedicated to rescuing domesticated animals and wildlife from suffering, cruelty, abandonment, and neglect. In 2013, the ARL served over 14,000 individual animals through our shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham, and our law enforcement, rescue, and veterinary services. The ARL receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of supporters to help animals in need. Visit arlboston.org for more information.
About the MSPCA-Angell
The MSPCA-Angell is a national and international leader in animal protection and veterinary medicine and provides direct hands-on care for thousands of animals each year. Founded in 1868, it is the second-oldest humane society in the United States. Services include animal protection and adoption, advocacy, humane education, law enforcement, and world-class veterinary care. The MSPCA-Angell is a private, non-profit organization. It does not receive any government funding nor is it funded or operated by any national humane organization. The MSPCA-Angell relies solely on the support and contributions from individuals who care about animals. Please visit www.mspca.org and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mspcaangell
One-day cat food drive to help feed homeless cats in Boston
Today is Cat Food Bank Day, a one-day cat food drive to provide food for the homeless cats of Boston. We’re taking donations of unopened wet or dry cat food 8:30 am to 6:30 pm in the lobby of our Boston headquarters located at 10 Chandler Street in the South End.
All donations of cat food will defray the food cost associated with the on-going care of homeless cats in the community.
“Every day, dedicated feral cat community caretakers feed multiple cats living in areas around the city—often at their own expense,” explains Maryann Regan, director of shelter operations at the ARL.
Please stop by and help Boston’s homeless cats. Every can and every bag goes a long way to filling an empty tummy!
All cat food donations will go to feral cat caretakers in Boston, as well as ARL foster volunteers who provide one-on-one care to cats recovering from surgery or re-acclimating to life in a home prior to adoption.
WHAT: Cat Food Bank Day
WHEN: July 16, 2014, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Animal Rescue League of Boston
10 Chandler Street, in the Lobby
Boston, MA 02116
Too Hot for Spot: “National Pet Fire Safety Day” Tips to Keep Pets Safe
RITZ (pictured here) is available for adoption.
July 15 is National Pet Fire Safety Day and it reminds us that pets are often vulnerable victims of home fires. An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by house fires, according to a data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association.
Planning for unexpected emergencies like home fires and taking these precautions are an integral part of responsible pet ownership.The following tips are suggestions for pet owners on how to prevent your beloved pet from starting a fire, as well as how to keep your pets safe.
What you can do to keep your pets safe:
Keep Pets Near Entrances When Away From Home – Keep collars on pets and leashes ready-to-go in case firefighters need to rescue your pet. When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home such as in crates or behind baby gates in secure areas.
Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Consider using monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center so emergency responders can be contacted when you’re not home. These systems provide an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.
Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling Like Ours – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window.Thiscritical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. Make sure to update the number of pets listed. Pick up one of our “Pet Rescue” window clings at an ARL shelter today!
Special thanks to all of the firefighters out there who put their own lives at risk every day to help people and their pets.
For the Second Year in a Row, the ARL will be at Futures at Fenway with Adoptable Dogs
We’re excited to be invited back to Fenway Park this year for their Futures at Fenway event tomorrow.
It’s great day of baseball action featuring Red Sox prospects and lots of family fun.
The first 25 people to stop by the ARL table and take a photo in front of our ARL Super Pets backdrop using #ARLSuperPets will receive a free ARL doggie poopbag dispenser.
After the success of last year’s event, the dogs will once again be returning to Fenway Park. Designated sections of the seating bowl will be available to owners and their dogs. All dog owners must print out the waiver, complete it and bring it with them to gain admission to Fenway Park on July 13.
Tickets are $15, $20 if you bring your dog!
After the game, stay for a special 25th Anniversary showing of the iconic classic baseball movie, Field of Dreams. The movie will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game.
Camilla seen here soon after arriving at the ARL’s Boston shelter.
As reported in the Boston Globe this morning, Mayor Walsh is taking action to address the situation at the Boston Animal Control (BAC) shelter facility in Roslindale.
At the end of June, the ARL visited the BAC facility to meet four dogs connected to a law enforcement case that had just concluded. We hoped to help the dogs find new homes now that the case was over.
When our staff arrived, one of the dogs from the case, Camilla (pictured right), appeared very emaciated with sores on her body. Her condition and other observations made by our staff while at the facility raised so many concerns, we brought them to the immediate attention of Mayor Walsh.
Camilla, seen here after her first bath at our Boston shelter, has become a staff-favorite.
We have continued to support the Mayor’s efforts to help the animals currently at the BAC facility and evaluate all areas of the shelter’s operations.
The ARL has taken in 35 animals from the BAC facility at our shelters in Boston and Dedham. At the Mayor’s request, a team of ARL veterinarians and shelter operations staff also did a comprehensive on-site assessment. We plan to provide a full report of findings to the Mayor next week.
Thanks to Mayor Walsh and the supporting efforts of our colleagues, we truly believe a change is underway at the BAC facility—a change which will have an immediate positive effect for the animals there now and for many years to come.
Thanks to proper care, nutrition, and extra attention, Camilla has already gained 9 pounds.
Everyone at the ARL is honored to be part of making a difference for animals and the City of Boston today.
Provide a shady retreat under a beach umbrella, tree or a make-shift tent.
