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The Animal Rescue League of Boston and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Host “Home Sweet Homecoming” Adoption Campaign

Adoption fees for dogs 40 pounds and over will be waived September 30-October 4 thanks to a generous donation from Hill’s Pet Nutrition

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is teaming up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition for “Home Sweet Homecoming,” a nationwide adoption campaign taking place September 30 through October 4. Inspired by the excitement of school homecoming, the campaign celebrates the new beginnings that come with welcoming a pet into your family.

During the five-day campaign, adoption fees will be waived for eligible dogs 40 pounds or more at ARL’s Boston, Brewster, and Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Centers, thanks to a generous donation from Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Adopters will also receive a New Pet Parent Kit from Hill’s, which includes a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet, coupons, and helpful post-adoption tips.

Helping Larger Dogs Find the Homes They Deserve

Large dogs can sometimes spend more time waiting in shelters for the right family to come along. Home Sweet Homecoming is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on these deserving dogs and help them take the next step in their adoption journey.

Hill's logo

From Sept. 30 through Oct. 4, Hill’s is waiving adoption fees for large dogs weighing 40 pounds or more.

“This generous donation gives us an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on our larger dogs who are waiting for loving homes,” says ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “We are incredibly grateful to Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their continued support as a longtime partner, and we look forward to seeing this campaign connect more dogs with the families they deserve.”

Since 2002, Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program has helped more than 16 million cats and dogs find new homes and has provided more than $300 million in pet nutrition to feed pets across its partner shelters.

ARL is proud to be a longtime partner of the program and to join shelters nationwide in celebrating Home Sweet Homecoming.

Ready to Meet Your New Best Friend?

Home Sweet Homecoming runs September 30-October 4, 2026, with waived adoption fees for eligible dogs weighing 40 pounds or more.

Visit one of ARL’s three Animal Care & Adoption Centers:

    • Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center
      10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA 02116
    • Brewster Animal Care & Adoption Center
      3981 Main Street, Brewster, MA 02631
    • Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Center
      55 Anna’s Place, Dedham, MA 02026

Animal Care & Adoption Center Hours:

    • Tuesday: 1-6 p.m., by appointment only
    • Wednesday: 1-6 p.m.

Find Your Match
Whether you’ve been thinking about adoption for a while or are just beginning your search, Home Sweet Homecoming could be the perfect time to welcome a new family member home.

Browse ARL’s adoptable dogs.

Rabbits Make Excellent Household Pets!

Info you can use for these cute and cuddly herbivores

From Rex to Angora to the French Lop, there are a wide variety of domestic rabbits, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) routinely has a large population of adoptable rabbits to choose from.

Rabbits make excellent pets!

Aside from being a great option for families living in smaller spaces, rabbits are incredibly clean, intelligent, friendly, and curious, making them fantastic pets!

Rabbit Basics

ARL believes that rabbits should always be housed indoors.

Your rabbit’s enclosure must be large enough to contain a litter box (yes, they can be litter box trained!), food bowls, a place to sleep, and enough room to explore and play.

Additionally, rabbits should experience at least three hours of out-of-enclosure time every day.

This allows rabbits more space to explore and play, and time for you to handle, work on training and cuddle up, which will strengthen the bond between you and your rabbit.

A Proper Diet

Rabbits need a variety of food in order to stay healthy, happy, and active.

The bulk of their diet should be high-quality fresh greens, with timothy hay provided at all times.

Pelleted rabbit food should used only as a supplement to the greens.

You’ll want to avoid alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets, as alfalfa is too high in protein.

And while we all associate rabbits with carrots, carrots and fruit should only be offered in moderation as occasional treats, as the sugar content can promote tooth decay and also lead to weight gain.

Grooming

To keep you rabbit’s fur fluffy and mat-free, brushing should be a regular part of their out-of-enclosure time.

Keep in mind the frequency of brushing will depend on the length of your rabbit’s fur, and how well they groom themselves.

Brushing minimizes shedding, maintains a healthy coat, and aids in reducing hair ingestion.

Nail Trimming

Just like cats and dogs, rabbits need their nails trimmed carefully so as to not hit the blood vessels that run through the base of the nail (commonly called the “quick”).

Use a clipper designed specifically for pets, and nails should be trimmed every 3-4 weeks.

While trimming your rabbit’s nails, look for any urine staining on the paws, which is a sign the enclosure needing to be cleaned more regularly.

Oral Health

Rabbits need to have their mouths checked every few weeks for abscesses, as well as any abnormalities in their teeth.

Should you find any abnormalities, you’ll want to follow up with your regular veterinarian for a visit.

If your rabbit will not allow this type of handling, check for bad breath, drooling, eye or nasal issues, which are all signs of dental issues.

A proper diet will go a long way in promoting good oral health!

Litter Box

As previously mentioned, rabbits can be litter box trained!

Litter boxes designed for rabbits are available, but you can also use one made for cats.

Place a layer of hay on top of the litter, as this will entice the rabbit into the box to eat the hay and they often go to the bathroom and eat at the same time.

A second litter box is also recommended for use while your rabbit is exploring out of the enclosure.

Behavior

Over time, you will get to know your own rabbit’s favorite games and what truly makes them happy, as well as what he/she is trying to communicate to you with specific behaviors.

Here are a few behavior-related tips:

    • Chewing – Rabbits teeth grow continuously; therefore, they need things to chew in order to keep their teeth filed down. They can also chew if they’re bored or stressed.
    • Digging – Burrowing and digging is fun for rabbits. Give your rabbit a box of hay, or even just a big blanket that they can dig into.
    • Napping – Rabbits are most active during the morning and evening. During the middle of the day, they tend to enjoy short naps with small amounts of activity in-between.
    • Grunting/Thumping – Grunting and thumping are ways that your rabbit is telling you they are frightened, angry, or annoyed. You’ll want to give your rabbit a little space if you see these behaviors.
    • Chinning – Sometimes your rabbit may rub their chin on your stuff. This is your rabbit’s way of getting his/her scent all over your things in order to claim it as their territory.
    • Nudging – At times, your rabbit may approach you and nudge you gently with their nose. This can either mean they would like to be pet, or that you are in their way.
    • Binky – When your rabbit is really happy and having fun, they may run around your house and randomly jump up in the air, kicking their legs and wiggling their bodies – it’s of course very cute and fun to watch!

Ready to Adopt?

If you think a rabbit would be a great addition to your home and family, ARL is here to help.

ARL’s three Animal Care and Adoption Center locations routinely have a number of rabbits who are waiting for their perfect match, and the Adoption Forward adoption process is a conversation-based, application-free process designed so that the needs of both the animal and the adopter are understood and compatible with one another.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition Sponsors Fee-Waived Adoptions at the Animal Rescue League of Boston August 28 Through 30

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is teaming up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill’s) for a special adoption event from Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30, as part of NBCUniversal’s 12th annual Clear the Shelters campaign.

Clear the Shelters logo next to Hills Pet Nutrition logo

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is sponsoring fee-waived adoptions at the Animal Rescue League of Boston from August 28–30 as part of NBCUniversal’s 12th annual Clear the Shelters campaign.

During the three-day event, adoption fees will be fully waived for all dogs and cats ages 1 year and older at ARL’s Animal Care & Adoption Centers in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster, thanks to the generous support of Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Adopters will also receive a New Pet Parent Kit from Hill’s, which includes a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet, a coupon, and helpful post-adoption tips.

Meet adoptable animals. 

Help Us Clear The Shelters

Every animal adopted creates space and resources for ARL to help another animal in need.

Clear The Shelters is a nationwide pet adoption and donation initiative that has helped more than 1.3 million pets find homes and raised more than $5.6 million for participating shelters and rescues since its inception. This year, Hill’s is serving as the campaign’s first-ever presenting sponsor, marking its ninth consecutive year supporting Clear The Shelters.

ARL is also a proud partner of Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program, which provides discounted, science-led nutrition to shelters year-round and has donated more than $300 million in pet nutrition to help more than 16 million pets find homes.

A black and white cat sitting on a blanket inside a kennel

Cats like Amaryllis will have their adoption fees waived from August 28–30, thanks to Hill’s Pet Nutrition as part of NBCUniversal’s 12th annual Clear the Shelters campaign.

“Clear The Shelters is an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on the many wonderful animals waiting for homes, and we’re grateful to Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their partnership and making adoption even more accessible by generously sponsoring adoption fees from August 28-30,” said Dr. Edward Schettino, President and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

“We hope this weekend encourages people to visit one of our locations, learn more about the animals in our care, and perhaps make a connection with the right pet for their family.”

Visit ARL August 28–30

Whether you’ve been thinking about adopting or are just beginning your search, we encourage you to visit ARL this weekend and meet the wonderful animals waiting to find loving homes.

Fee-waived adoptions will be available Friday, August 28 through Sunday, August 30. Open adoption hours are 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. at all three ARL Animal Care & Adoption Centers. View ARL’s adoptable animals to learn more about the pets in our care.

Animal Rescue League of Boston Partners with NBCUniversal and Hill’s Pet Nutrition for 2026 Clear the Shelters Campaign

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is proud to once again participate in NBCUniversal’s annual Clear the Shelters campaign, in partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, from August 1-31. The nationwide initiative celebrates the life-changing impact of pet adoption and helps connect more animals with loving families.

Clear the Shelters logo

As part of the campaign, adoption fees for small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, and parakeets will be waived, while adoption fees for large adult dogs (one year and older weighing more than 40 pounds) will be reduced by $200 at all three ARL Animal Care & Adoption Centers.

While every animal deserves a loving home, some pets simply wait a little longer to find the right family. This is especially true of large adult dogs, as well as smaller companion animals like rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, and parakeets. During Clear the Shelters, ARL hopes to shine a spotlight on these wonderful animals and encourage more people to discover just how rewarding it can be to welcome these deserving animals into their homes.

Adult dogs often come with established personalities, making it easier to find a companion that fits your lifestyle. Many have already mastered basic manners and are ready to settle into a loving home. Whether you’re looking for a hiking buddy, a walking partner, or a couch companion, an adult dog could be the perfect fit. Senior dogs have so much love to give and often form incredibly strong bonds with their families, proving that it’s never too late to find your best friend.

Small companion animals also make incredible pets. Rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, and parakeets each have unique personalities and can bring years of companionship to the right home. Despite this, they are sometimes overlooked by prospective adopters, making campaigns like Clear the Shelters an important opportunity to highlight everything they have to offer.

If you’ve been considering adoption, we invite you to visit one of ARL’s Animal Care & Adoption Centers in Boston, Brewster, or Dedham to meet the animals waiting for their next chapter.

ARL is grateful to NBCUniversal and Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their continued partnership and commitment to helping more shelter animals find loving homes through the Clear the Shelters campaign.

As the Ice Melts, Hope Blooms for Dogs Like Mouse

Cold Weather Slowed Dog Adoptions, Now ARL Is Catching Up

After a historic winter marked by extreme cold and record-breaking snowfall, the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston is turning its focus toward a brighter spring.

The harsh weather took a significant toll on ARL’s Animal Care & Adoption Centers in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster (Cape Cod). Fewer visitors were able to make the trip, leading to a noticeable decline in dog adoptions. As a result, kennel space has remained limited, making it more difficult to take in and care for other dogs in need.

As the seasons begin to shift, ARL is hopeful that warmer days will bring renewed opportunities for adoption, opening doors for more animals to find the loving homes they deserve.

One dog awaiting adoption since December 2025 is Mouse: Mouse is an 11-month-old German Shepherd mix who arrived at ARL dangerously underweight and too weak to wag his tail. ARL’s team put Mouse on a round-the-clock refeeding plan, carefully designed to help him regain strength. Mouse lived with a loving foster family as he continued to heal and is now ready to be adopted.

A playful dog lies on its back on a beige rug, surrounded by colorful plush toys.

Mouse, in his ARL foster home

To help new dogs and their families start off strong, ARL has teamed up with Tall Tails and Polkadog this spring. Beginning Friday, March 27, the first 50 dog adopters will receive a starter kit filled with essentials to support their transition home. Search adoptable dogs.

March is Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month!

There’s more than just cats and dogs at the Animal Rescue League of Boston

Many people assume that animal care & adoption centers only have cats and dogs, but here at the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) we have a knowledgeable staff and are able to accommodate a variety of animals including, guinea pigs.

And they are just waiting for to find their perfect match!

If you’d like to adopt a guinea pig (or other small animal) from the ARL, make sure to bring a photo of the cage that your new pet will live in to make sure it’s a good size and shape for a guinea pig.

Just like any other pet, guinea pigs require special care and attention. Familiarizing yourself with their daily and long-term needs before adding one to your family is also an important step in the adoption process.

Guinea pigs can make great companions for both first-time or experienced pet owners, however they require a bit of patience and a gentle hand.

Once they are comfortable with you and their new surroundings, their personalities really shine through!

Guinea pig care tips (PDF)

Two guinea pigs eating a piece of lettuce

Adopt a Rescue Guinea Pig Month Fun Fact

Guinea pigs communicate through a variety of behaviors and sounds. These small animals will make a squealing or whistling sound, for example, to communicate anticipation or excitement–usually before they eat! Meanwhile, a deep sounding purr indicates your guinea pig is comfortable and content.

Welcome A New Pet During the Holidays?

Animal Rescue League of Boston Offers Tips and Resources for Families

At a time when many families are welcoming new pets into their homes, Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) shares expert resources and advice about settling furry family members into a new environment. Resources include ARL’s Pet Behavior Helpline – a free service that can answer basic pet behavioral questions. Whether it’s excessive barking, crate training, house soiling, or another issue, pet families with questions can call the Pet Behavior Helpline at (617) 226-5666 or via email behaviorhelpline@arlboston.org.

“It’s very special to welcome a new family member to the household, especially during the holiday season. These first few weeks as a family are very important and ARL is here with the resources and guidance to make the experience positive and joyful for pets and their new families,” says ARL Animal Behavior Manager, Laney Nee.

Tips for Early Days With Dogs and Cats

  • Have a ‘safe space’ for your new pet set up and ready for them – somewhere they can call their own that may contain their special toys, bedding, scratching trees for cats or a crate for dogs – this space helps them get comfortable.
  • Less is more when introducing your pet to their new life, so be aware of all the new things your pet is experiencing and recognize when they might be overwhelmed and need a break.
  • Go back to basics with house training for dogs and provide easy access to food, water and litter boxes for cats until they get used to their new spaces.

Tips for Daily Routines

  • Create a routine for you and your new pet right from the beginning.
  • Change can be overwhelming so creating a routine for your new dog is a key to success. The routine should have set times for potty breaks, meals, walks, playtime, and independent time in their own space with special toys and treats which get put away till the next time they are back in their safe space.
  • A routine can help ensure your new cat has the opportunity to follow their instincts which includes their need to hunt, catch, eat, groom, and sleep. There are many ways to accomplish this with many homemade items such as boxes, egg cartons, paper bags, toilet paper and paper towel rolls for treat puzzles.

Tips for Relationship Building

    • Get active
      • Sniffari walks– let your dog stop and sniff!
      • Explore a new neighborhood – the usual neighborhood walks can get boring and routine – consider walking or driving to a different neighborhood to explore.
      • Two toy fetch – alternate tossing two toys to your dog while walking.
    • Keep them engaged
      • Use a snuffle mat or wrap some treats up in a towel and let dogs use their nose to snuffle around and find all the food, or make a “licky mat” with canned food, peanut butter or cream cheese – smear it on a lick mat and they can spend time licking it until it’s all gone.
      • Enroll in dog training classes and teach your dog new skills, ARL has a variety of offerings at our Dedham Campus.
      • Interactive play for cats can be done with wand teaser cat toys, chasing little play mice or balls with bells or make a small investment for automated toys that move if the cat walks past them or interacts with them.

Helpful Videos

“Name Game for Dogs”: incorporate this game into your routine to create a bond and help your new dog respond quickly when you say their name. Watch a demonstration.

“Greeting Exercise”: practice this with family and friends so your dog can learn to greet people and other dogs politely. Learn more.

ARL Hosts Adoption Event To Celebrate Hill’s Milestone

Waived Adoption Fees for Boston Pets Ages 1+ Through December 14

ARL is teaming up with Hill’s Pet Nutrition (Hill’s) to offer WAIVED adoption fees for animals at ARL’s Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center one year and older through December 14th! Adopters will also receive a New Pet Parent Kit from Hill’s, which includes a starter bag of Hill’s Science Diet, a coupon and post-adoption tips.

The event is part of Hill’s “Sweet 16 Million Adoptions Celebration,” which honors the milestone of 16 million pet adoptions supported by the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program since its inception in 2002.

“We are thrilled to join Hill’s in this national celebration by offering waived adoption fees at our Boston location. This partnership ensures that more deserving animals like Fiona find the comfort of a home this holiday season.” said ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino.

The Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program provides discounted, science-led nutrition to over 1,000 North American animal shelters every day, including for the dogs and cats at ARL. As a proud partner of the program, ARL is excited to join shelters nationwide in celebrating this achievement and help deserving shelter pets in Boston find homes this holiday season. During the adoption campaign, Hill’s will contribute up to $200,000 to offset adoption fees at select Food, Shelter & Love partner locations in the United States and Canada.

ARL’s Animal Care & Adoption Centers in Boston, Dedham, and Cape Cod (Brewster) are open Wednesday through Sunday from 1pm to 6pm.

View all of ARL’s adoptable animals looking for a home for the holidays!

ARL Receives Largest-Ever Donation For New Boston Shelter

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) received a $2 million gift from Arthur and Paula Rabe on November 13, 2025.

The contribution will go towards the ARL’s capital campaign to construct a new three-story, 35,000 square foot $48 million facility in the South End.

“Our Boston shelter is the heart and soul of ARL, but it is outdated and no longer meets the standard of care that animals deserve and that we can provide,” said Dr. Edward Schettino, ARL President & CEO.

A revamped facility will better meet the needs of local animals, including transports from across the country. ARL has seen an increased demand for animal services in the last five years due to the ongoing housing crisis, food insecurity and high cost of veterinary care. ARL has had a 100% increase in the number of pet meals provided to owners facing barriers, and a 104% increase in low-cost wellness exams for pets in the community.

ARL began construction on the new facility over the summer after announcing the project in October 2024. ARL is working with Animal Arts, a Colorado-based architecture firm dedicated to creating animal spaces for animal welfare organizations and veterinary hospitals, and Boston-based architect Jonathan Garland with JGE to design the building’s exterior.

“This new building will provide an accessible, affordable center so people who desire an animal can share their lives with one,” said donor Arthur Rabe.

The Rabe family has contributed to the ARL Boston since they adopted their cat Jill in 2007. They reside with their son Logan and their other cat Paul in Chestnut Hill.

ARL Partners with New England Patriots for Training Camp Adoption Event

As the New England Patriots kicked off the first day of training camp, a special adoption event at Gillette Stadium with the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) kicked off a lifetime of love for more than three dozen families who took home a new furry family member.

ARL joined two other animal welfare organizations to find homes for 41 puppies and young adult dogs, the first such event to held at Gillette Stadium during training camp.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his wife and ARL board member Dr. Dana Kraft have a deep love for animals, particularly their dog Heisman, and the adoption effort was largely spear-headed by Dr. Kraft.

“Dana is on the board of ARL and she mentioned to me that the number of dogs in shelters is higher than it’s ever been,” said Mr. Kraft. “I don’t know if that’s because of what’s going on with the economics of our country right now, but I do know how these dogs can bring so much happiness and love.”

The adoption event included a press conference the previous day where players and head coach Mike Vrabel brought two ARL puppies to the podium to answer questions from the media.

The kickoff of training camp also included a special moment where players and coach Vrabel walked onto the field with some of the adopted puppies to present them to their new families.

As fans filed into training camp, they were able to meet and interact with all the available animals, talk with adoption staff, and also learn more about the programs and services that ARL offers.

The event was tremendously successful, and ARL wishes to thank the Patriots for their partnership and passion to help find homes for as many animals as possible.

What a way to kick off the 2025-2026 season!