Category: Blog
Home / Adoption /

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.

Learning in the Field: Tufts Students Support ARL’s Community Programs

Tufts Students Gained Hands-on Experience While Supporting ARL’s Community Programs

This summer, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) welcomed two students from Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine who gained valuable real-world experience while supporting programs that help animals and the people who care for them throughout Massachusetts.

Through two different academic programs, Lindsey Powers and Mariana Pavia spent their time with ARL working alongside staff, learning firsthand how veterinary care, community outreach, animal welfare, and public policy can come together to create meaningful change.

Expanding Access to Veterinary Care

Lindsey Powers, a first-year veterinary student at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, joined ARL through the Tisch Summer Fellows program.

During her time with ARL, Lindsey supported ARL’s Community Medicine team and gained experience with several programs designed to make veterinary care more accessible, including the Spay Waggin’®, Wellness Waggin’®, and ARL’s Community Surgical Clinic.

A veterinary student in bright pink scrubs gently cradles a kitten in a modern veterinary clinic setting.

Lindsey Powers on the ARL’s Wellness Waggin’®

By working alongside ARL’s veterinary team, Lindsey learned more about the role accessible veterinary services can play in strengthening communities and helping pets remain healthy and with the families who love them.

The Tisch Summer Fellows program places Tufts University students with nonprofits, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and other social impact organizations. The program combines professional development with opportunities for students to strengthen their ability to collaborate with diverse communities, address systemic challenges, and contribute to positive social change.

Learning About Community Needs and Program Impact

Mariana Pavia, who is pursuing her Master of Science in Animals and Public Policy at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, also spent the summer gaining hands-on experience at ARL.

As part of the program’s Applied Track, students complete a 10- to 12-week summer externship that provides practical experience with animal-related policies, programs, advocacy, and community engagement.

During her externship, Mariana supported several of ARL’s Community Operations programs, including Wellness Waggin’®, Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday), and ARL’s Field Services.

Two smiling people pose behind an “Animal Rescue League of Boston” table piled with pet food, treats, supplies, and tennis balls on a sunny street.

Mariana Pavia (right) poses with an ARL staff member at a ARL pet food pop up event

A key focus of her work was surveying Wellness Waggin’® clients to learn more about their experiences, current needs, and the program’s impact in the communities it serves. The information gathered helped provide ARL with additional insight into the people and pets utilizing these services and opportunities to continue strengthening its community-based programs.

The Animals and Public Policy program examines relationships between people and animals through the lenses of science, policy, ethics, human behavior, and environmental systems. Its externship experience gives students an opportunity to see how these issues intersect in a practical setting while developing skills for careers in animal welfare, policy, and advocacy.

Gain Hands-On Experience at ARL

Interested in gaining hands-on experience in animal welfare and veterinary medicine? ARL offers opportunities for students to learn alongside our experienced teams while making a difference for animals and the people who care for them.

Learn more about ARL’s Veterinary Technician Student Internship and Veterinary Student Externship opportunities and discover how you can get involved.

A Call to Protect Animals from Harmful Rodeo Practices

In the following letter, Dr. Edward Schettino, DVM, PhD, CAWA, ARL’s President & CEO, outlines ARL’s concerns about the return of the Boston Rodeo.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) strongly opposes rodeo practices that subject animals to fear, distress, pain, or risk of injury for the purpose of competition and entertainment. No tradition or form of entertainment justifies compromising the welfare of animals. ARL is calling for protections to prevent rodeo practices and implements that unnecessarily cause animals pain, fear, distress, or injury.

On October 16-17, the Boston Rodeo will return to the city for a second year, bringing two days of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) competition to Boston’s Seaport. When the rodeo came to Boston last year, ARL raised serious concerns about these practices and reached out to make our position known. Those concerns remain today. We are deeply disappointed to see the event return and believe rodeo practices that put animal welfare at risk have no place in a city and state that have demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting animals.

The public deserves to understand what animals may experience during traditional rodeo events. We urge those considering attending or supporting the Boston Rodeo to look beyond the spectacle, learn more about the practices involved, and consider whether this is the type of entertainment they want to support.

Rodeos may be marketed as celebrations of Western sport, culture, and tradition, but tradition does not excuse the treatment of these animals. Despite claims of high standards of care, many traditional rodeo events involve animals being chased, restrained, roped, and subjected to situations that can cause fear and distress, all for the sake of sport and competition.

This year, ARL will continue raising awareness and will once again voice our opposition and urge the Boston City Council to address the animal welfare concerns associated with rodeos. Massachusetts has taken meaningful action to protect animals used for entertainment in the past, and it’s time for Boston to again be a leader in animal welfare and to extend that commitment to rodeos.

Sincerely,

a signature in blue ink representing Edward Schettino

Edward Schettino, DVM, PhD, CAWA
President & CEO

August is Microchip Month at Boston Veterinary Care!

Boston Veterinary Care (BVC) answers your Microchip FAQs

Did you know… that microchipping your pet DOUBLES their chances of finding their way home?

August 15 is National Check the Chip Day, and for good reason: During the Summer months, pets will be spending more time outside—or may find themselves extra eager to slip out the door into the sunshine. In the event that you and your pet ever become separated, you’ll want to make sure that you are reunited as quickly and easily as possible.

That’s where a microchip comes in handy! Once microchipped, your pet can be identified throughout its life with a one-of-a-kind ID number. For this reason, microchipping has become extremely popular for pet owners, and scanning pets for microchips has become standard practice in veterinary offices, animal hospitals, and animal shelters.

Q: What is a microchip?

A: A microchip is a tiny computer chip, about the size of a grain of rice, programmed with an identification number that is unique to your pet. It is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and will last the life of your pet with no maintenance required. The microchip is injected with a needle beneath the skin between the shoulder blades and is anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it.

Q: Will the implantation of the microchip cause my pet pain?

A: Your pet may feel a slight “pinch” as they would with any other needle injection. Once the microchip in place, however, it does not cause pain and cannot be felt by touch. Many pet owners opt to microchip their pet during routine exams, spay or neutering, or dental cleanings; it’s one less trip to the vet, and your furry companion will probably be too distracted to notice that the injection is happening.

size of a pet microchip

Ever wonder what a pet microchip looks like? It’s as small as a grain of rice!

Q: Can all cats and dogs receive a microchip, and at what age?

A: Absolutely! A microchip is recommended for all cats and dogs (even toy breeds) and can be implanted as early as 6-8 weeks of age.

Q: How does microchip identification work?

A: A special non-intrusive scanner is used to send a signal to the microchip to read the identification number. The person reading the scanner can search a national microchip registry to find out the pet owner’s information.

Q: Why should I microchip my pet; isn’t a collar enough?

A: In short, things happen. While a collar with ID tags is an excellent start, there is always a chance that they can be removed or fall off.  Think of a microchip as a permanent ID tag for your pet—and a fail-safe way to verify that you’re their owner.

Microchips have reunited thousands of pets with their owners, even ones who have been missing for years or traveled many miles away! If your pet were to go astray, any veterinarian’s office, animal hospital, or animal shelter would be able to scan your pet’s microchip and contact you immediately. Be sure to keep your contact information current in the national microchip registry database to ensure an easy reunion with your pet – some microchip companies even let you add a backup contact.

Q: My microchipped pet is missing. What do I do?

A: The first step is to contact your pet’s microchip manufacturer (e.g, PetLink, Home Again) and provide them with your pet’s unique microchip number. If your pet has already been located, they’ll be able to tell you where to pick up your pet. If your pet’s whereabouts have not yet been located, it means that their microchip has not yet been scanned by a local animal shelter, animal hospital, or veterinarian. The microchip manufacturer will put an alert in the system so that when your pet’s microchip IS scanned they can contact you right away.

Learn more about how to keep your pet safe this season.

What’s in the PETS Act?

In March the Senate passed a bill called the “PETS Act”. The House then passed their version of the bill in mid-July. Both bills contain many important provisions to protect animals across Massachusetts. Bolded items were passed by both chambers. The next step for the bill is to be reconciled. In the Massachusetts State Legislature, this is done by a Conference Committee.

Senate

    • Bans the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops
    • Prohibits homeowners and renter’s insurance policies from arbitrarily refusing to cover or renew a policy on the basis of a dog’s breed, size, or weight
    • Expands current civil citation for cruel conditions from dogs to include all household pets
    • Expands pet friendly housing in state aided housing authorities
    • Alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics and household goods
    • Increases funding for Mass Animal Fund

House

    • Upgrades kennel laws
    • Establishes licensure for veterinary technicians
    • Creates civil process to intervene in cases of animal neglect without pursuing criminal charges
    • Regulates pet health insurance
    • Protects service animals and their owners’ rights to use rideshare services
    • Expands pet friendly housing in state aided housing authorities
    • Alternatives to animal testing for cosmetics and household goods
    • Increases funding for Mass Animal Fund

What is a “Conference Committee”?

It’s a lot like what you might assume based on the name. To go to the Governor for her signature, identical versions of a bill have to pass both the House and Senate. When they don’t agree, especially when there are a lot of differences, they often appoint a “conference committee” to sit down and come up with a compromise. The House and Senate leadership each appoint 3 members (2 from the majority party, 1 from the minority party) to create a 6-person committee to review the bills. Conference committees happen almost entirely in closed meetings. Some of the differences might be technical and easy to compromise on, but others may be contentious and result in extended negotiations. Conference committees are not required to come to a compromise on every issue in the bill, and can choose not to include provisions if they can’t come to an agreement.

When they come to an agreement, they file a report with the Clerk’s Office. After this point, no legislator can make a change to the bill. This compromise will then get voted on by both branches and sent to the Governor. The Governor can: sign the bill, veto the bill, refuse to sign the bill (it becomes law after 10 days, with minimal exceptions), or return the bill to the Legislature with an amendment.

New legislative rules this session allow for a conference committee report to be voted on through the end of session, which gives them until January.

What can I do to help get this bill passed?

Sign up for ARL’s Advocacy email list and learn about ways to get involved!

Supporter Spotlight: Christopher Lapan and José Rodríguez-Villalobos

For over three decades, Chris and José have shared a life together rooted in partnership, kindness, and community. José has spent his working life as a financial advisor, bringing a steady and analytical lens to everything he does, while Chris, a retired hairstylist and former Provincetown restaurant owner, is known for his skills in the kitchen and his love of hosting dinner parties. The two first met at a Christmas party, then reconnected years later and the rest was history! Thirty-four years later, they continue to adventure through life together.

Though it’s hard to believe, animals were not always a central part of their lives. José did not grow up with pets, and although Chris always gravitated toward the dogs in his neighborhood, he never had one of his own. After they began dating, Chris gently (and persistently) raised the idea of adopting a dog together. It took 15 years before José agreed, and when he did, Chris made him put it in writing and sign his name. That decision changed the trajectory of their lives forever.

Their first dog, Griffin, was medically fragile. For 19 months, Chris and José structured their entire life around his care, even coordinating travel plans based on how close they were to veterinary hospitals. Loving him for his short life opened their eyes to the struggles that animals can face and inspired them to do more.

After Griffin’s passing, their home did not stay empty for long. Cooper came next, followed soon after by Abby, who they met unexpectedly during a routine grooming visit back at the rescue. Abby has since passed, but Cooper, now 16, remains a beloved reminder of the joy that rescue animals bring. Through these experiences, animal welfare became not just something they cared about, but something they felt responsible for supporting.

Over the years their annual contributions grew into deeper involvement. A tour with ARL’s former president, Mary Nee, and current president, Dr. Edward Schettino, proved pivotal. Soon after, José joined ARL’s Board of Directors. Chris has been a steadfast supporter of his board service, sharing in the belief that ARL’s work truly matters.

Their decision to include ARL in their estate plans reflects both their values and José’s understanding of long-term investment. They see their legacy gift as an opportunity to create meaningful, lasting impact. Serving on the Investment Committee has reinforced for José how powerful these gifts can be over time. “A dollar when you’re gone will do far more work than a dollar today”, José reflects.

For Chris and José, legacy giving is about ensuring that this kind of compassionate, practical work continues long after they are gone. Through their planned gift, they hope to help build a future where animals are protected, families are supported, and kindness remains at the center of ARL’s mission.

Did you know August is National Make-A-Will Month?

Just as animals have touched your life, you can forever touch the lives of animals by including the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) in your will or financial plans.

Learn how to leave your print and make more than a lifetime of impact for animals.

When you include ARL in your Will or other plans, you become a member of the Anna Harris Smith Legacy Society® and join the company of compassionate supporters like Chris and José , who want their dedication to the well-being of animals to continue long into the future.

Have you included, or are you thinking of including ARL in your will? Let us know so we can thank you! Please contact Jackie at jsmith@arlboston.org.

Photo credit: Sean Crane Photography

Easing Back-to-School Stress for Pets

6 Steps to Help Your Pet Adjust to a New Routine

As Greater Boston families prepare for the return of school-year routines, it’s important to remember that pets notice these changes, too.

Dogs and cats are especially tuned in to our daily schedules. When summer routines suddenly shift and the morning rush returns, some pets may have a harder time adjusting. You might notice your pet following you from room to room, becoming clingier, or showing other signs of stress, including excessive barking, house soiling, destructive chewing, changes in appetite, or decreased interest in normal activities.

The good news? A little planning can help make the transition easier. Here are six simple ways to help your pet feel comfortable and secure during back-to-school season:

  1. Make Mornings Fun
    Build a few extra minutes of activity into your pet’s morning routine. Add some playtime to your dog’s walk, toss a favorite toy, or offer a special treat before you leave. When it’s time to go, keep your goodbye calm and low-key. Making departures a big event can sometimes make it harder for pets to settle once you’re gone.
  2. Give Them Something to Do
    Help keep your pet occupied after the family leaves for the day. Food puzzles, treat-stuffed toys, or small portions of kibble hidden around the home can provide mental stimulation and make alone time more rewarding.

    These activities can be especially helpful during the first 30 minutes after you leave.

  3. Add Some Background Noise
    A quiet house can feel very different after a busy summer. Leaving on a radio, television, or soft music may provide comforting background noise and help recreate some of the sounds your pet is used to hearing when the family is home.
  4. Consider Midday Care
    If your dog will be home alone for long stretches, consider arranging for a trusted dog walker to provide a midday break.
  5. Keep Homecomings Calm
    It’s natural to be excited to see your pet at the end of the day, but try to keep greetings relaxed. Reward calm behavior rather than immediately responding to jumping, barking, or other overly excited behavior with attention.

    Once your pet has settled, you can give them all the affection they’ve been waiting for.

  6. Make Evenings Count
    Set aside quality time for your pet after the school and workday is over.

    For cats, try interactive toys, enrichment activities, or a little catnip. For dogs, a walk, play session, training activity, or simply spending time together can provide physical and mental stimulation while reinforcing their sense of security.

    ARL’s Free Pet Behavior Helpline

    If your pet is having difficulty adjusting to a new routine, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is here to help.

    Contact ARL’s FREE Pet Behavior Helpline at (617) 226-5666 or behaviorhelpline@arlboston.org for guidance and support for dogs, cats, and small animals.

    Don’t Forget Back-to-School Pet Safety

    If you have school-aged children in your household, remind them to keep backpacks, lunchboxes, and snacks off the floor and out of your pet’s reach.

    Common lunchbox items including grapes, raisins, chocolate, gum, candy, and certain other foods can be dangerous or toxic to pets.

    For more tips to keep pets safe and happy throughout the school year, download ARL’s free Bark-to-School Guide.

    Back-to-school season is an adjustment for the whole family. With a little preparation, enrichment, and extra attention, you can help your pet settle into the new routine feeling safe, comfortable, and loved.

    Mother Cat and Kittens Rescued Near Somerset Firehouse

    Their Rescue Highlights the Lifesaving Impact of ARL’s Community Cat Program.

    When firefighters at the Somerset Fire Department noticed a mother cat and her four kittens living near the firehouse, they knew the feline family needed help. Although they stayed close by, the mother was understandably too fearful of people to be safely handled.

    The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Field Services team safely and humanely trapped the mother cat and her four kittens as part of ARL’s Community Cat Program. After evaluation by ARL’s veterinary staff, it became clear that the kittens and their mother would have different paths forward.

    Because the kittens are still young enough to be socialized, they are now safe in ARL’s care, where they will continue to grow until they are old enough to be spayed or neutered and placed for adoption.

    Their mother, however, was a healthy adult community cat. Rather than placing her in a shelter environment, where she would likely experience significant stress, ARL spayed, vaccinated, and ear-tipped her before returning her to the outdoor area she knows as home.

    While it may seem surprising that a rescued cat would be returned outdoors, returning adult community cats to the outdoor environments they know is the foundation of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), the humane approach at the heart of ARL’s Community Cat Program.

    Why Was the Mother Cat Returned?

    Community cats are unowned cats that live outdoors. Some are feral and have had little to no positive interaction with people, while others may be semi-socialized or former pets that have adapted to living outside.

    For healthy adult feral cats like the mother cat rescued in Somerset, returning to the outdoor territory they know after they are spayed and vaccinated is often the best outcome. TNR allows them to live healthier lives while preventing future litters.

    How Trap-Neuter-Return Helps Cats and Communities

    Through TNR, community cats are humanely trapped, spayed or neutered, vaccinated, ear-tipped, and then returned to the outdoor area they call home. This approach:

    • Prevents future litters of kittens.
    • Improves the health of individual cats through veterinary care.
    • Reduces behaviors associated with mating, including fighting, spraying, and roaming.
    • Stabilizes community cat populations over time.
    • Improves the relationship between people and outdoor cats by reducing nuisance behaviors.

    The mother’s ear tip—a small, painless procedure performed while she was under anesthesia—is a universal sign that a community cat has already been spayed and vaccinated. This helps prevent unnecessary trapping and surgery if she is encountered again in the future.

    What Is ARL’s Community Cat Program?

    ARL’s Community Cat Program was created to help address the needs of the estimated 700,000 community cats living throughout Massachusetts. Through the program, ARL’s Field Services team works with residents, municipalities, animal control officers, and community partners to develop humane Trap-Neuter-Return plans, provide veterinary care, and determine whether individual cats or kittens are candidates for adoption.

    The rescue at the Somerset Fire Department is just one example of this work in action. In this case, four kittens were given the opportunity to find loving homes while their mother returned to her familiar territory healthier and happier.

    If you encounter community cats or kittens outdoors, it’s important not to assume they need to be rescued immediately. Every situation is different, and ARL’s Field Services team can help determine the most humane course of action. Learn more about Trap-Neuter-Return services and ARL’s Community Cat Program, or call the ARL Field Services hotline at (617) 426-9170, ext. 563.

    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.

    ARL President & CEO Dr. Edward Schettino Featured in MassVet News: Expanding Access to Veterinary Care Across Greater Boston

    The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is proud to share that President & CEO, Edward Schettino, DVM, PhD, CAWA, was featured in the June issue of MassVet News, the official publication of the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA).

    In the article, “Meeting Pets Where They Are: How You Can Help Close the Veterinary Care Gap in Greater Boston,” Dr. Schettino explores the growing challenges many pet owners face in accessing affordable veterinary care and highlights how ARL’s innovative community veterinary programs are helping remove barriers that can put the human-animal bond at risk.

    Meeting Communities Where They Are

    For many families, pets are cherished members of the family. However, rising living costs and limited access to affordable veterinary services have made it increasingly difficult for some pet owners to provide the care their animals need. These challenges are particularly evident in underserved communities where transportation, financial constraints, language barriers, and limited veterinary resources can prevent families from seeking care before medical issues become emergencies.

    As Dr. Schettino explains in the article, ARL recognized these challenges nearly a decade ago and shifted its focus beyond traditional shelter services by investing in preventative, community-based programs designed to keep pets healthy and in their homes.

    A Community-Centered Approach

    The article highlights the evolution of ARL’s community veterinary initiatives, beginning with the opening of a low-cost pet wellness clinic in Dorchester in 2018 and expanding with the launch of the Wellness Waggin’® mobile veterinary clinic in 2019.

    Today, the Wellness Waggin’ brings affordable veterinary care directly into neighborhoods throughout Greater Boston, helping families overcome many of the barriers that can prevent them from accessing routine care. By partnering with trusted community organizations, ARL has created a model that supports both people and pets while strengthening communities.

    Making a Measurable Difference

    Dr. Schettino also shares the significant impact these programs have had since their launch. Together, ARL’s community veterinary initiatives have provided tens of thousands of wellness appointments, administered thousands of vaccinations, connected families with affordable spay/neuter services, distributed pet food to those in need, and contributed to a meaningful reduction in owner surrenders in the communities served. These results reinforce a simple but powerful idea: when veterinary care is accessible and affordable, families are better able to keep the pets they love.

    An Invitation to the Veterinary Community

    In his feature, Dr. Schettino also encourages fellow veterinarians to become part of the solution by volunteering with ARL’s Wellness Waggin’. Volunteer veterinarians play a vital role in expanding access to care for pets who might otherwise go without treatment while helping strengthen the bond between people and their animals. As demand for affordable veterinary care continues to grow, partnerships with the veterinary community remain essential to expanding these lifesaving services.

    Get Involved

    To learn how you can get involved with the Wellness Waggin’ and ARL’s other community programs, reach out to Sam Fincke at sfincke@arlboston.org. You can also learn more about ARL’s services including community programs, temporary pet housing, pet food and supplies, and low-cost spay/neuter services.