Community program launched during Covid-19 pandemic, demand steadily increasing

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is marking the 4th anniversary of a community-based program that continues to see increasing demand and was initially launched during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic to help pet owners in Metro Boston facing financial hardship.

Making a delivery.

Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday), delivers pet food and other essential pet supplies to clients’ homes and partner-supported community housing, and also provides temporary pet shelter for clients who are facing housing instability or imminent homelessness.

Over the past four years, the program has:

  • Made 781,591 pet meals available
  • Assisted 3,277 pets and families
  • Supported 796 pets through 51 community pet wellness events
  • Helped 153 pets with temporary housing

While the pandemic has largely passed, the financial constraints for many pet owners remains and demand for ARL’s community-based programs has increased over time.

ARL is focused on keeping pets in homes and out of shelters, and thanks to these and other initiatives, the number of animals surrendered from the service areas of Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park and East Boston have drastically declined over the past few years.

To contact the Keep Pets S.A.F.E. hotline for assistance, please call (857) 350-8730, Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To find out if your pet is eligible for temporary housing and for more information, call (617) 426-9170 and dial the extension of the ARL Admissions office nearest you: Boston x140; Dedham x404; Brewster x305.