ARL helping rescued animals recover from neglect and find new homes
At the end of February, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) partnered with MSPCA-Angell to remove 199 animals from a home in Lynnfield, Massachusetts.
In one of the largest hoarding situations the ARL has responded to in recent years, a wide range of species including dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles lived in unsanitary conditions, stacked in cages and crates in different areas of the home. All of the animals were voluntarily surrendered to the ARL and MSPCA-Angell.
After the ARL’s Rescue Services team removed animals from the home, the team brought 60 to our Boston shelter for emergency medical care. According to Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL, many of the animals had serious health issues resulting from neglect.
“When people suffer from the complex psychological conditions that lead to animal hoarding, they become overwhelmed with caring for all the animals they accumulate,” explains Dr. Smith-Blackmore.
“In hoarding situations, both the owner and the animals need help. If you see something that suggests an animal hoarding situation, say something to your local authorities.”
Working together, our veterinary and shelter staff mobilized a temporary isolation area for the cats requiring long-term medical treatment and found places for them at the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats in Lunenburg, where they will continue to receive rehabilitative care. The ARL also asked Jabberwock Reptiles in Winchester, for assistance taking in the reptiles recovered from the home, including sickly blue-tongued skinks and snakes.
The 6 dogs and 13 birds remaining at the ARL’s shelters continue to make progress in their recovery. Broadway Dog Spa in South Boston generously donated grooming services and the Boston shelter has already begun to identify potential adopters for the shy, but very sweet dogs.
All three of our shelters have taken in the birds. Staff members are getting to know their unique personalities, while providing proper nutrition and care.
If you would like to help these animals and others like them recover from neglect, click the green button below to make a donation.
Danielle Genter, senior rescue technician at the ARL, comforts one of the dogs removed from a hoarding situation in Lynnfield, MA, at the end of February.
The coats of the dogs were so overgrown that most of them could barely see.
It appears that this dog, removed from the Lynnfield home, was living in very unsanitary conditions. His coat was filthy.
Animal Rescue League of Boston and MSPCA-Angell partner in response to large-scale hoarding situation
MEDIA AVAIL: Monday, March 10, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm, ARLBoston’s Boston Shelter, 10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA
Boston, MA – At the end of February, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) partnered with MSPCA-Angell to remove 199 animals from a home in Lynnfield, Massachusetts.
In one of the largest hoarding situations the ARL has responded to in recent years, a wide range of species including dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles lived in unsanitary conditions, stacked in cages and crates in different areas of the home. All of the animals were voluntarily surrendered to the ARL and MSPCA-Angell.
After the ARL’s Rescue Services team removed animals from the home, 60 came to the organization’s Boston shelter. According to Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL and a member of the veterinary response team that provided medical care to the animals as they arrived at the shelter, many had serious health issues resulting from neglect.
Danielle Genter, senior rescue technician at the ARL, comforts one of the dogs removed from a hoarding situation in Lynnfield, MA, at the end of February.
“When people suffer from the complex psychological conditions that lead to animal hoarding, they become overwhelmed with caring for all the animals they accumulate,” explains Dr. Smith-Blackmore.
“In hoarding situations, both the owner and the animals need help. If you see something that suggests an animal hoarding situation, say something to your local authorities.”
The ARL’s veterinary and shelter staff mobilized a temporary isolation area for the cats requiring long-term medical treatment and found places for them at the Pat Brody Shelter for Cats in Lunenburg, where they will continue to receive rehabilitative care. The ARL also asked Jabberwock Reptiles in Winchester for assistance taking in the reptiles rescued from the home, including sickly blue-tongued skinks and snakes.
The 6 dogs and 13 birds remaining at the ARL’s shelters continue to make progress in their recovery. The Boston shelter has already begun to identify potential adopters for the shy, but very sweet dogs.
The ARL encourages anyone looking to help these animals and others like them recover from neglect to visit arlboston.org for more information.
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.
Media Avail Monday, March 10
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Animal Rescue League of Boston
Boston Animal Shelter
10 Chandler Street
Boston, MA
Anna Harris Smith: Leader, Humane Advocate, Educator
International Women’s Day is a fitting day to tell you about the woman who made it all happen. Anna Harris Smith, a native of Dorchester was a woman who cared deeply about people and animals and without her, the Animal Rescue League of Boston would not be here today.
Barbara A. Burg, Research Librarian at the Widener Library at Harvard University wrote this compelling biography about Mrs. Smith. We hope it will give you a little insight into who Mrs. Smith was and why we’re celebrating her today!
“Anna Harris Smith, a devoted advocate for the kind and respectful treatment of animals and people, started the Animal Rescue League of Boston in 1899. Distressed at seeing the many stray and abandoned cats and dogs suffering cruelty and starvation in the streets of Boston, Mrs. Smith wrote a letter to the editor of the Boston Evening Transcript in January, 1899, vividly describing acts of cruelty toward animals and the need for a centrally located shelter for the rescue and care of homeless cats and dogs. Her fervent appeal for support received over 60 enthusiastic responses, and on February 9, 1899, 110 people attended the first meeting of the newly formed Animal Rescue League of Boston.
Mrs. Smith wrote and lectured extensively on humane topics, and, was one of the most influential and respected humane leaders in her day.
As President of the Animal Rescue League of Boston from 1901 to 1929, Anna Harris Smith acted upon a wide-range of animal welfare and humane issues of the time, such as abandonment of pets, work horse abuses, inhumane livestock transport methods, and the humane education of children. The League flourished under her leadership and gained a national reputation for excellence in large and small animal rescue and health services, animal welfare advocacy, and humane education programs.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston, to this day remains firmly committed to the humane legacy of their founder, Anna Harris Smith, and guided in all they do by her motto, “Kindness Uplifts the World.’”
The ARL Mod Squad is a select group of experienced volunteers who specialize with training the ARL’s shelter dogs.
Working together as a team, they provide essential support in the Boston adoption center for dogs with a variety of health and behavioral issues, making sure that, even at the busiest times, every dog gets individual enrichment.
The Mod Squad also helps with adoptions – helping with introductions, offering tips and advice to potential adopters – taking photos and now taking videos!
Today we’d like to dedicate “Thank You Thursday” to our Mod Squad. Their latest effort has been working with shelter dog, HALLE BERRY and helping her find a home.
Halle is an active two-year-old dog who knows all her basic cues and is eager to learn. She loves cuddling with people and can be a sweet, couch potato once she has gone out for a nice walk.
Halle has been waiting for a home since November and we hope that someone will choose her soon! The Mod Squad put together this excellent video of Halle, highlighting her knowledge of commands and agility skills. Hopefully, the right person will watch it and fall in love with Halle.
Watch the video below to see Halle’s wonderful personality… and the hard work that the Mod Squad has put in to train her!
Boston Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Clinic at the ARL
CLYDE is currently available for adoption at our Boston shelter. Come by and meet him!
The ARL is kicking off the 2014 City of Boston dog licensing and low cost rabies vaccine clinics this weekend at our Boston shelter!
Organized by the city of Boston, the dog licensing and rabies clinics will be traveling across the city from Saturday, March 8 through Saturday, May 31.
As part of our long standing relationship with the city of Boston and Boston Animal Control, the ARL provides veterinary services and ARL volunteers for several of the clinics and we are excited that the first clinic will be held at our Boston headquarters located at 10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA 02116.
If your dog needs a dog license please come on by on Saturday between 10a.m.-2p.m. The only thing you need to bring with you is an up-to-date rabies certificate for your pet(s).
The low-cost rabies clinic is open to both cats and dogs.
All pets must be brought by a person 18 years of older. Please DO NOT bring cats in a cardboard box or pet adoption box. Cats must be in a Vari-kennel or similar pet carrier. Please DO NOT bring your pet(s) to the rabies clinic on a retractable leash. Aggressive dogs must be muzzled.
You can view the pricing below and additional information below.
Boston Dog License Fees
$6 per spayed/neutered dog
$17 per intact male/female dog
Rabies Vaccine Fees
Boston Residents (with ID) $5 per dog/cat or $2 for seniors
Non-Boston Residents $10 per dog/cat
Can’t make it to the clinic this Saturday? Our veterinarians will also be at the clinics listed below:
DORCHESTER Saturday, March 15, 10a.m.-2p.m.
BCYF Leahy Holloran Community Center, 1 Worrell Street
JAMAICA PLAIN Saturday, April 19, 10a.m.-2p.m. BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South Street
HYDE PARK Saturday, April 26, 10a.m.-2p.m. BCYF Hyde Park Community Center, 1179 River Street
SOUTH BOSTON Saturday, May 17, 10a.m.-2p.m.
BCYF Condon Community Center, 200 D Street
For more information call the City of Boston Animal Control Office (617) 635-5348 or visit cityofboston.gov/animalcontrol
Animals Rescued on 2/7 in Ludlow Getting Ready to Go Home
Monica, available for adoption!
We have an exciting update on the animals taken in by the Animal Rescue League of Boston on February 7 from an unlicensed traveling petting zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts!
In their prior circumstances, the animals did not have adequate shelter and their previous owner has been charged with 36 alleged counts of animal cruelty. The ARL’s rescue services team assisted the MSPCA in providing emergency transport and care for 12 of the 35 animals involved in this case.
Since arriving at the barn at our Dedham shelter, the Ludlow 12 – including standard donkeys, miniature donkeys, goats, sheep, and Shetland ponies – received medical attention, proper nutrition, and a visit from the farrier, a specialist in equine hoof care.
All have made terrific progress in their recovery. Those with overgrown hooves learned to walk properly again and all began going out into the livestock paddock on sunny days.
Thanks to special TLC from shelter staff, the personalities of these gentle creatures started to shine through as they relaxed in their new environment. With their friendly and cuddly ways, the standard donkeys, FORREST (pictured below) and JENNY, in particular have endeared themselves to all their visitors!
Late last month, their previous owner officially surrendered them to the Animal Rescue League of Boston and potential adopters began asking about them almost immediately.
If you would like to contribute to the costs of medical care and food for these animals and others like them, please click the button below to make a contribution today!
These Girl Scouts from the Learning Project Elementary School in Boston have been working hard at earning their bronze award. For their service project they’ve chosen to help the animals at the ARL and they keep stopping by our shelter with lots of new goodies for the animals here.
Over the past few months they’ve donated handmade cat toys, dog food, peanut butter, treats and towels for the animals at our Boston shelter.
We’re always so thrilled to see kids getting involved with animal welfare from a young age! Thank you for all that you do to help shelter pets! Keep it up girls!
If you’d like to donate items to the ARL’s shelter pets view our shelter wishlist.
Today marks the 20th anniversary of World Spay Day. Originally created by the Doris Day Animal League in 1995 it became a program of the Humane Society of the United States when they combined operations in 2006. World Spay Day is the first and only international day of action to promote spaying and neutering of pets.
If you don’t have a pet you might be wondering why you should care about spay and neuter. Here are a few factors to consider:
All of us are affected by animal overpopulation
Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to shelter and care for stray, abandoned and unwanted pets (the ARL is privately funded and does not receive any of those tax dollars)
Property damaged and livestock killed when pets roam
There are numerous reasons to spay/neuter your pet. Here are just a few of the most important ones:
Curb pet overpopulation and make your pet healthier
Reduce the number of homeless pets euthanized - In the U.S. estimated 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year
A USA Today (May 2013) article cites that pets who live in the states with the highest rates of spay/neutering also live the longest
Neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered male dogs
Spayed female dogs live 23% longer than unspayed female dogs
Increased longevity of altered pets involves the reduced risk of certain type of cancers including uterine cancer and cancers of reproductive tract
Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle nearly eliminates the risk of breast cancer (decreases the chance by over 98%) and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer
Reduce unruly behavior
It is good for the community
If you’re concerned about the cost of of spay/neuter surgery, low-cost options are available in most areas. The ARL established the Spay Waggin’ in 2000, in recognition that basic veterinary services, including spay/neuter, were financially out of reach for many pet owners who wanted to do the responsible thing, but could not afford to. Keep in mind that the cost associated with providing adequate care for just one litter of puppies or kittens is often more than the cost of spaying or neutering
Our Spay Waggin’ offers spay-neuter to pets of low-income families and our shelters spay/neuter all of our animals before adoption. Since 2000 the Spay Waggin’ has performed 25,280 spay/neuter surgeries and in 2013 both the ARL Dedham and Boston Shelters spayed and neutered a total of 1,385 dogs and cats. - Dr. Edward Schettino, director of veterinary medical services at the Animal Rescue League of Boston
Tomorrow marks the 20th anniversary of World Spay Day, a day that allows us to shine a spotlight on spay/neuter.
Spay/neuter represents one of the most humane ways to lessen the number of homeless animals in our communities.
To celebrate the occasion we’re hosting an Ask the Vet Twitter Chat on February 25,12pm -1pm. You can join fellow supporters of animal welfare and Dr. Edward Schettino, our director of veterinary services to discuss this important issue.
Conversation topics include:
How to encourage more people to spay/neuter their pets
Common myths about spay/neuter
Health benefits and cost savings
To participate in the conversation, follow the ARL on Twitter (@arlboston) and submit your questions using the hashtag #ARLAskaVet. Questions may be submitted real time or in advance.
For more information about spay/neuter and low-cost resources visit arlboston.org/spay-neuter or download our “5 Good Reasons to Spay/Neuter” flyer.
Animal Rescue League of Boston to host #ARLAskaVet twitter chat on World Spay Day
Boston, MA – According to the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL), a large portion of the companion animals coming into the organization’s shelters comes from unplanned litters of kittens and puppies. National studies have also found that among pet owners who indicate their pets had at least one litter, 59% of cat owners and 38% of dog owners described the litter as “unintentional” or “accidental.”
“Spay/neuter represents one of the most humane ways to lessen the number of homeless animals in our communities,” explains Dr. Edward Schettino, director of veterinary medical services at the ARL. “The surgery comes with low risks and offers a variety of benefits to pets and the people who love them.”
Dr. Edward Schettino, director of veterinary medical services at the ARL, will participate in a World Spay Day #ARLAskaVet twitter chat, on February 25, beginning at 12 PM (EST).
In recognition of Spay/Neuter Awareness Month this February, the ARL encourages pet owners to consider the following five reasons to spay/neuter companion animals:
Reduce the cost of pet ownership.Particularly given the number of low-cost options available in Massachusetts, the cost of caring for an unplanned litter far outweighs the cost of having a pet spayed/neutered.
Diminish nuisance behaviors.Neutering resolves the vast majority of marking behaviors—even when a cat has a long-standing habit.Howling in cats and excessive barking in dogs eases and even disappears after surgery.
Prevent aggressive behaviors.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.
Increase longevity.The USA Today reports neutered male dogs live 18% longer than unneutered males, and spayed females live 23% longer than unspayed females.
Improve health outlook.Neutering males 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.
The ARL will also host an #ARLAskaVet twitter chat on World Spay Day, February 25, 12pm-1pm. Join Dr. Schettino and fellow animal welfare supporters to talk about:
Ways to encourage more people to spay/neuter their pets
Common myths about spay/neuter
Health benefits and cost savings
To participate in the conversation, follow the ARL on Twitter @arlboston and submit your questions using the hashtag #ARLAskaVet. Find more spay/neuter resources at arlboston.org/spay-neuter.
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. The ARL receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of supporters to help animals in need. To learn more about the ARL, visit arlboston.org.
Today we’d like to dedicate “Thank You Thursday” to our Mod Squad. Their latest effort has been working with shelter dog, HALLE BERRY and helping her find a home.
These Girl Scouts from the 
