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ARL, MA State Police to Host Too Hot for Spot Campaign Demo

Demonstration part of ARL’s annual Too Hot for Spot summer safety campaign

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and Massachusetts State Police welcomed members of the media to ARL’s Dedham Campus for a hot car demonstration as part of ARL’s annual Too Hot for Spot® safety campaign, which has educated pet owners about summer safety for over a decade.

ARL is marking 11 years of the Too Hot for Spot campaign, but unfortunately, we are still seeing plenty of instances where an animal’s life is put in danger due to being left in a hot vehicle, several of which have happened in just the past month.

With temperatures this summer being well above average, it’s imperative this message reaches as many pet owners as possible.

Leaving an animal in a hot car is the number one cause of deadly heatstroke in pets. When temperatures rise, so do concerns about animal safety.

Even when the mercury dips below 80 degrees, the threat for heat stroke still exists.

Within five minutes’ time, a vehicle’s interior temperature can rise above 118 degrees on a 75-degree day, even with the windows cracked.

This week’s demonstration occurred during an overcast day, with temperatures in the low 80’s.

In less than 10 minutes, the thermometer inside the vehicle soared to over 115 degrees, demonstrating the dangers that exist during the summer months.

Additionally, many modern vehicles feature an automatic shut-off feature after a certain amount of time when the vehicle is left in park and running – meaning that even if a pet owner leaves their animals in a car with the air conditioning running, the vehicle may shut off, leaving the animals susceptible to deadly heat stroke.

It is also illegal in Massachusetts to keep an animal in a hot vehicle, and law enforcement across the Commonwealth will be on the lookout this summer.

Visit arlboston.org/too-hot-for-spot to learn important pet safety tips and guidelines.

ARL wishes to thank the Massachusetts State Police, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and Herb Chambers for their continued support and partnership in ARL’s Too Hot for Spot summer safety campaign.

ARL, Animal Advocates Gather at Massachusetts State House for Lobby Day for Animals

Animal welfare organizations collaborate to lobby for animal-protection legislation

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Advocacy team joined other animal welfare organizations at the Massachusetts State House for Lobby Day for Animals, to help citizen animal advocates make an impact by meeting and encouraging their elected officials to prioritize animal-protection legislation.

ARL presented briefings on current pieces of legislation and also offered guidance to those in attendance on how to effectively lobby their elected officials to help garner support for these proposed bills.

Rep. Aaron Michlewitz receives the Legislator of the Year award.

Priority bills included:

An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets (H.1559); An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets in an economic crisis and beyond (S.1022)

Provides housing protections during states of emergency and immediately afterward, preventing animals from being used as a reason for eviction. Prohibits insurance companies from refusing coverage, canceling, or increasing rates on the basis of dog breed.

An Act to codify pet-friendly elderly housing policies and ensure pet parity across housing authorities (H.1476)

Protects programs to allow pets in elderly housing authorities and ensures pets and their families can stay together in certain state-funded housing.

An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops (S.618;HD.4490) Proposed bill would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops throughout Massachusetts. Would not prohibit pet shops from partnering with shelters or rescues to display/facilitate adoptions.

An Act banning the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops (H.967;S.651)

Proposed bill would prohibit the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in new pet shops throughout Massachusetts. Would not prohibit pet shops from partnering with shelters or rescues to display/facilitate adoptions.

An Act to provide additional funding for animal welfare and safety programming (S. 639)

This bill would enable additional monies to be directed to the Mass Animal Fund for the purpose of spaying, neutering or vaccinating homeless dogs and cats, or those that live with low-income families, by stipulating that administrative fines, issued pursuant to Section 37 of Chapter 129 (“Enforcement actions; jurisdiction of commissioner of agriculture, district and superior courts”), would go to the Fund.

Celebrating Past Animal Victories

ARL and other animal protection organizations were also pleased to be able to present House Chair of Ways and Means (and ARL’s Representative in the South End) Aaron Michlewitz with the Legislator of the Year Award.

Under Chair Michlewitz’s leadership, the House advanced the most standalone animal bills in any session in recent history!

Recognition was also presented to the numerous legislative sponsors of the bills signed into law earlier this year including An Act to Increase Kennel Safety aka Ollie’s Law; An Act Regulating the Use of Elephants, Big Cats, Primates, Giraffes and Bears in Traveling Exhibits and Shows;  An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing; An Act Providing for the Humane Protection of Animals; and An Act Promoting Animal Welfare and Further Regulating the Reporting of Animal Cruelty, Abuse or Neglect.

Learn more about ARL’s Legislative Priorities.

Keeping Pets Safe This July 4th

Why Fireworks and Furry Friends Don’t Mix

Fireworks and July 4th go hand-in-hand; however, they can cause stress and anxiety in our pets.

Many dogs already struggle during thunderstorms, and while both storms and fireworks are loud, there’s a key difference:
Dogs can sense an approaching storm through changes in barometric pressure. Fireworks, on the other hand, are sudden, unpredictable, and startling.

“When storms happen, the barometric pressure will tell them that it’s coming; not with fireworks—and it’s so detrimental,” says Laney Nee, ARL’s Shelter Behavior and Enrichment Manager.

Fireworks can lead to anxiety and long-term behavioral issues in pets. Common signs of distress include:

  • Shaking or trembling
  • Drooling
  • Barking or howling
  • Pacing or restlessness
  • Hiding or trying to escape
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

“Dogs only communicate through their voices, mouths, paws, and body language,” Nee explains. “When they’re exhibiting signs of fear and we interact with them, there’s a risk they could redirect that fear into aggressive behavior.”

The loud blasts and flashing lights can also cause pets to panic and run off. Shelters across the country often see a spike in lost pet reports around July 4th.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe

Here are some ways to protect your furry friends this holiday:

  1. ID First: Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date ID tags. If they’re microchipped, confirm your contact info is current—just in case they get lost.
  2. Create a Safe Space: Set them up in a quiet room with their favorite toys. Turn on a TV, soft music, or a white noise machine to help mask outside noises.
  3. Reduce Light Exposure: If your pet is sensitive to the bright flashes, place them in a room without windows. Keep in mind: frightened animals may bolt when a door opens, so take precautions.
  4. Consult Your Vet: If your pet suffers from extreme anxiety, talk to your veterinarian about possible medications or calming supplements.

ARL’s FREE Pet Behavior Helpline

ARL’s Pet Behavior Helpline is a FREE service, and can answer basic behavioral questions about your pet, such as excessive barking, crate training, house soiling, or if you are looking for ways to stave off your pet’s boredom.

If you have questions, please call the Pet Behavior Helpline at (617) 226-5666 or via email behaviorhelpline@arlboston.org, and an ARL representative will get back to you within 48 hours.

Good Samaritan and Social Media Post Helps Reunite Lost Cat with Family

ARL offers tips should a pet become lost or missing

A lost cat who was missing for three weeks is back home safe and sound thanks to a Good Samaritan, social media, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL)

Mary, a 13-year-old cat, had never been outdoors, so when she snuck out of her Lowell home, her owner was instantly worried and turned to Facebook to report the missing animal.

Mary reunites with her owner!

About two weeks later, a resident was driving along Chelmsford Road near Route 3 in Lowell, and spotted the cat.

Concerned for her safety, the Good Samaritan pulled over, approached the cat, and took her in.

Mary was not wearing a collar, but was well-groomed and friendly, indicating she was likely an owned cat.

The finder contacted ARL and brought her to the organization’s Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center.

The cat was healthy, and settled in quickly, but meanwhile, a Facebook about the lost cat was spotted by her owner, who immediately reached out to ARL.

Soon after, Mary’s owner arrived at ARL and was reunited with her beloved pet!

When a Pet Goes Missing

An open door, a thunderstorm, slipping out of a collar or harness – situations happen where an animal becomes lost, and when that happens it’s important not to panic and to take steps to increase the likelihood of being reunited.

Take immediate action by following these 5 steps to increase the likelihood of a happy reunion with your pet: 

  • Call the local Animal Control Officer of the town where you live, and of the town that your pet went missing in. List of Massachusetts Animal Control Officers.
  • File a lost report with ARL either in person, over the phone at (617) 426-9170, or online. This lost report is seen by all three ARL locations. The staff will ask you to provide a photo of your pet.
  • Contact your pet’s microchip company if your pet has one, to notify them that your pet is lost. Be sure to confirm that your contact information is current.
  • File a lost report with every shelter within a 60-mile radius of where your pet went missing. Oftentimes, concerned citizens will pick up a stray pet they see on the side of the road and bring it to a shelter that is close to their destination instead of close to where they found the animal. Visit the shelters closest to you as often as possible to check for new incoming lost pets.
  • Don’t give up! Many pets go missing for months before being reunited with their owners. You will have the best chance of finding your missing pet if you utilize all of the provided tips and continue to search for them as long as you can.

Additionally, as Mary’s story showed, social media can be a powerful tool when a pet is missing.

There are many community lost pet social media pages and should your pet go missing, not only can you post to inform your neighbors about your pet, but you can also be notified if someone finds your pet as well.

More helpful lost pet tips.

Summer Pet Safety Goes Beyond Tick Bites

Tips to Protect Your Pet From Hidden Summer Dangers

For pet owners, ticks and tick-borne illnesses naturally become a concern when the weather warms up.
However, bites and stings from other insects can impact the comfort and overall health of pets.

Ants, mosquitoes, spiders, bees, among others, can cause a myriad of impacts on our pets – from minor skin irritation to life-threatening allergic reactions.

Summer insect concerns go beyond ticks.

As with ticks, it’s important to check our pets when returning from the outdoors.

If your pet has been bitten or stung, here are some non-emergent remedies to try at home:

  1. You want to remove the stinger, or the head of the insect if it remains embedded. Use sterilized tweezers to ensure foreign debris is removed in its entirety.
  2. Applying ice to a sting or bite reduces swelling and pain.
  3. Antihistamines and steroids can be administered to help reduce swelling and pain, however, always consult with your regular veterinarian before giving any medications to your pet.
  4. While improvement after a sting or bite can be expected after a few days, it’s important to monitor the injury site should the injury worsen. You also want to make sure your pet isn’t licking or chewing on the affected area, as this could put the animal at risk for infection.

The vast majority of dogs will recover quickly from a sting or insect bite; however, just like people, some dogs can be prone to severe allergic reactions.

Should your pet display the following symptoms, seek veterinary care immediately:

  • Swollen face or muzzle
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Vomiting
  • Lethargy
  • Persistent swelling or redness at the injury site

Keep your pets healthy and safe this summer with these summer safety tips.

You Can Help Vulnerable Cats This Kitten Season!

Every year, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) helps hundreds of community cats across Massachusetts—but as the weather warms up, we face a growing crisis: a surge in kittens born in need of intensive care.

These kittens are at high risk from the moment they’re born, facing threats like:

    • Harsh weather
    • Illness and injury
    • Predators
    • Lack of food and shelter

These fragile babies urgently need your help!

Kitten Kuddler Wall of Honor

Thanks to these kind cat lovers for supporting kittens with gifts of $100 or more

Martina Roth
Nathan Hasson
Christina Kowalewski
Ruibing Wang
Anthony DellaSala
Joan MacDonald
Michelle Bruneau
Judith Cassano
Linda Perry
Kelley Creedon
Judith LeBlanc
Elinor Milder
Pepper Hayes
Gregory Pirrone
Carrie Deangelo
Richard Tourangeau
Ellen Munley
Samantha Cornebise
Patricia Taylor
Ernst Berndt
Elise Merchant
Cheryl Sexton

Donate Now to help community cats

Send Supplies from Our Wish Lists

Want to help in another way? You can send urgently needed items directly to us by shopping our Kitten Shower Registry via:

These supplies go directly to kittens and cats in our care.

ARL’s Lifesaving Community Cats Program

ARL is proud to be the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts with a full-time Community Cat Agent. Since 2017, our Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program has helped over 3,000 community cats.

ARL community cats agent setting up humane cat traps outside

An ARL community cat agent setting up humane cat traps.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Our Community Cat Agent identifies and evaluates colonies across the state.
  2. Cats are humanely trapped and brought to an ARL Animal Care and Adoption Center.
  3. They receive essential veterinary care: vaccinations, spay/neuter surgery, and behavioral assessments.
  4. Socialized cats are placed for adoption. Others are safely returned to their colonies.
ARL Awarded Grant from “I’m Animal Friendly” License Plate Funds

Grant provides subsidized spay/neuter surgery for more than two dozen pet owners

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is happy to announce the organization is a recipient of a 2025 grant from the MA “I’m Animal Friendly” license plate program.

Funds will be used towards ARL’s community-based programs to provide subsidized spay/neuter services for more than two dozen pet owners in Boston.

This month ARL’s Spay Waggin’® held two spay/neuter clinics, one at the Franklin Park Zoo, the other at a private business in Mattapan, to provide the service for local pet owners.

Clients included one pet owner who is a client of ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ and was recently reunited with their cat after the animal had snuck out.

ARL’s Spay Waggin’ is a mobile veterinary surgical vehicle that provides low-cost spay and neuter services in Greater Boston, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Cape Cod.

The Wellness Waggin’ brings low-cost pet wellness care directly into Boston communities that need it most including Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, and East Boston.

“Pets are family, and the Animal Rescue League of Boston continues to be grateful to the Massachusetts Animal Coalition and their commitment to provide grants to help provide spay/neuter services for pet owners in need,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “Through this grant, ARL has been able to help more than two dozen pet owners, and ensure that their animals are happy, healthy and will continue to thrive.”

Anne Lindsay, founder and president of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition, says, “An important way to decrease the population of unwanted pets is to spay and neuter any animal we can get our hands on.  For the past 20 years, the ‘I’m Animal Friendly’ License Plate Program has supported these efforts by providing funding for these necessary surgeries.”

The “I’m Animal Friendly” license plates are a program of the Massachusetts Animal Coalition.

Funds are granted annually to organizations that demonstrate a need for funding and provide low-cost spay/neuter services.

Since the program’s inception, MAC has awarded over $3,300,000 to many deserving organizations.

ARL Hosts Community Rabies Vaccine Clinics

Rabies vaccine state-mandated for all dogs, cats, and ferrets

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) recently held its annual rabies clinics at its Boston, Dedham, and Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Centers, vaccinating more than 200 pets.

In Massachusetts, all dogs and cats over six-months-old, as well as ferrets, must be vaccinated against rabies, and these clinics are an important piece to ensuring pet owners have access to free or low-cost vaccination options for their pets.

The clinics offered free rabies vaccinations for residents of Boston, Dedham, and Brewster, and just $10 for non-residents – a substantial savings compared to having a pet vaccinated in a typical veterinarian office setting.

Additionally, microchips for pets were also offered for $10.

Across the three separate events, more than 200 pets were vaccinated, and ARL is thrilled to be able to annually offer this vital service for pet owners in the communities ARL calls home.

“ARL has been a part of the Boston, Dedham, and Cape Cod communities for well over 100 years, and we are proud to be able to offer free or low-cost services to local pet owners whenever possible,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino.

ARL Rescues Community Cat Living Under Shipping Container in Charlestown Construction Site

ARL offering $20,000 donation match for Community Cat Program

This past week the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services Department rescued an eight-week-old community kitten who was living under a shipping container at a construction site in Charlestown.

ARL’s Community Cat Program focuses on this particularly vulnerable group of animals in Massachusetts.

Community cats are feral, stray and abandoned cats who live outdoors in harsh elements.

ARL has seen a dramatic rise in the number of community cats who need help in recent years and is offering a $20,000 donation match challenge to allow the organization to help even more community cats and kittens.

A resident at an apartment building overlooking the construction site at 75 Alford Avenue (Ryan Playground) in Charlestown contacted ARL’s Field Services Department after witnessing the kitten coming in and out from underneath a shipping container placed on the site.

With the help of Boston’s Park and Recreation Department, ARL was able to gain access to the site and began the trapping process.

It took two days, and in the end the kitten overcame her fear and gave in to her hunger. She emerged from underneath the shipping container and into an awaiting humane cat trap.

The kitten, now named Ally, was transported to ARL’s Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center to undergo veterinary care.

The kitten is in excellent health, is undersocialized but friendly, and she will likely be made available for adoption in the coming weeks.

Community Cat Program Match

With an estimated 700,000 community cats in Massachusetts, 70,000 in Boston alone, these animals live in harsh conditions and without proper care are at-risk for illness and injury.

ARL’s Community Cat Program was launched in 2017 and is the only large animal welfare organization in Massachusetts with a dedicated agent working exclusively with community cats and kittens.

In 2024 the program saw a record number of community cats, nearly 2,000, and the organization has found loving homes for more than 2,700 community cats and kittens over the past five years.

After identifying a community cat colony, ARL formulates a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) plan, to evaluate, vaccinate and spay/neuter cats from the colony.

TNR is one of the most humane and effective ways to stop the cycle of homelessness among cats. Cats that are truly feral are returned to the colony, while those suitable as pets are adopted into homes.

ARL receives no government grants or funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals to ensure these vulnerable animals receive the care they need and deserve.

Through June 30, any donation towards ARL’s Community Cat Program will be matched, dollar-for-dollar to help twice as many community cats in need.

Those interested can visit https://www.arlboston.org/services/community-cat-services/ to help ARL continue this important work.

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ARL Caring for 8-Week-Old Community Kitten Found in Car Engine Compartment

ARL reminds the public to be aware of community cats and kittens

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is currently caring for an eight-week-old kitten that found itself in a precarious position and was discovered in the engine compartment of a vehicle in Belmont, MA.

Fortunately, the kitten was not injured in its hiding place and is now ready to find his new home.

ARL wishes to remind the public that community cats seeking shelter inside the engine compartment of a vehicle is not uncommon, and to take some extra precautions before entering your vehicle, particularly if there are community cats around your property or neighborhood.

The kitten, now aptly named Chevy, was reported to Belmont Animal Control when the kitten was heard mewing in the vehicle owner’s driveway.

The Good Samaritan popped the hood to investigate, and seeing daylight, the frightened kitten scampered from engine compartment and found an old fox den to hide in.

Once on-scene, the Belmont Animal Control Officer used a YouTube video of a kitten mewing to lure Chevy out, and was able to safely handle him and place him in a carrier for transport.

The community kitten was brought to ARL’s Dedham Animal Care & Adoption Center where he received a veterinary exam and a quiet place to decompress from his ordeal.

The kitten was deemed healthy and also lucky, as he was uninjured while hiding in the engine compartment.

 While under two pounds upon intake, the kitten quickly gained a little weight, has been neutered and vaccinated and is available for adoption at ARL’s Boston Animal Care & Adoption Center, which is open to the public from 1-6 p.m.

Chevy’s adventure is the third instance of a cat finding refuge in the engine compartment in less than a year for ARL.

It’s also important to note that each instance did not happen during winter months, when it’s more common to see this activity.

ARL reminds the public, particularly in areas where community reside, to conduct a visual check of their vehicle and to bang on the hood before entering to scare off any animal that may be seeking shelter under the hood.

ARL is the only local large animal welfare organization with a dedicated community cat program. Learn more about ARL’s efforts to help these vulnerable animals.