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Anna Harris Smith Day

Celebrating 126 Years of Kindness

126 years ago today, Anna Harris Smith, a social worker from Dorchester, was called to action after seeing the cruel mistreatment of Boston’s working horses and the number of stray and homeless animals. She advocated for a centrally located shelter to care for them and remarked, “While getting dogs and cats off the street is work worth doing, the teaching of thoughtful kindness is the work that changes families, communities, and a nation”.

 

A historical photo of a woman sitting on a bench with dogs, outside.

Anna Harris Smith, ARL’s Founder

On March 13, 1899, thanks to Anna’s efforts, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) was officially incorporated and began helping millions of animals heal, find homes, and stay with their families while protecting them from cruelty and neglect.

In honor of her legacy of kindness and commitment to animals, we are excited to celebrate Anna Harris Smith Day with you!

2024: Kindness in Action

    • 255,194 pet meals provided to the community
    • 3,518 animals welcomed into new homes
    • 1,164 dedicated volunteers contributed 141,856 hours helping animals in need
    • 216 children and teens attended humane education events
    • 52 corporate groups with 610 employees contributed 1,818 hours
    • 38 volunteers received the Golden VOL-ley Award in recognition of their spirit of collaboration

Four Ways You Can Spread Kindness Today

    1. Stock ARL’s pet food pantry! Donate pet food through ARL’s Amazon or Chewy wish lists and have them shipped directly to ARL; or purchase them in-store and drop them off at one of our Animal Care & Adoption Centers in Boston, Dedham, or Brewster.
    2. Advocate for animals! Contact advocacy@arlboston.org to learn more about our legislative agenda and how you can contact your legislator and ask them to support bills that protect animals.
    3. Be kind! Do a random act of kindness in your community today. The possibilities are endless! Walk your neighbor’s dog, volunteer at your local library or nursing home, bring in treats for your coworkers, send a care package to a service member, give blood, or donate old sheets and towels to your local animal shelter.
    4. Pay it forward with a donation to Jeff’s Fund, which helps offset the cost of waived or reduced adoption fees to help animals who may be overlooked due to their medical needs, age, or personality, find the homes they deserve.
ARL Preparing to Take in Shelter Dogs from Los Angeles Fire Zones

ARL to reduce dog adoption fees this weekend as part of preparation

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is preparing to take in approximately a dozen dogs from Los Angeles animal shelters. This weekend, ARL is reducing all dog adoption fees by $100 to better prepare the organization for the arrival of these special dogs.

This special adoption event will take place through Sunday and apply to dogs of all ages at ARL’s Animal Care and Adoption Centers in Boston, Dedham and Brewster.

The devastation and impact of the fires still burning in Los Angeles is unprecedented, and ARL is proud to be a part of a massive relocation effort to find homes for these animals, which will also create much-needed kennel space in L.A. shelters for animals who have been displaced or injured due to the fires.

ARL is coordinating with our national animal welfare partners to bring these animals to New England. In the next week, the dogs will be flown to Delaware, and ARL’s Transport Waggin’ will make the nearly 1,000-mile round-trip to deliver the dogs safely to the organization’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center.

The dogs will have to undergo a state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and be medically and behaviorally evaluated before being made available for adoption.

ARL will provide updates once the transport is completed.

ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ Visits Senior Pet Owners in Dorchester

ARL partnership with Boston Senior Home Care expands to seven locations

This past week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Welness Waggin’ made a stop at a Dorchester apartment development to provide more than a dozen pet owners with low-cost pet wellness services.

The newest stop expands ARL’s growing list of senior housing developments the organization visits regularly through an ongoing partnership with Boston Senior Home Care.

For many pet owners in Boston, accessibility to services is a major barrier to maintaining overall pet health, however, ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ is just one program that bring services directly to where they’re needed most, to help pet overcome these types of barriers.

Parking outside the Franklin Field Elderly Community Center, more than a dozen pet owners living in the Franklin Field apartments were able to easily take advantage of the low-cost, high-quality services the Wellness Waggin’ provides.

For 10 dollars, pets receive a brief veterinary exam, rabies and distemper vaccines, flea treatment and microchip, if needed.

These services would cost hundreds in a traditional veterinary clinic setting.

This newest stop for the Wellness Waggin’ is part of an ongoing partnership with Boston Senior Home Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and families throughout Greater Boston, with social services and resources to live safely and independently.

ARL began its partnership with the organization in 2018, and now has seven sites throughout neighborhoods in Boston to provide senior pet owners with basic services and pet supplies.

These wellness events offer a wonderful opportunity for ARL to connect with senior pet owners in Boston, and to provide services that are accessible just steps from their door.

How You Can Help

ARL continues to expand its services to reach more pet owners in need, however we cannot do this work alone.

More than 35% of ARL’s funding arrives in December – now is a critical time to give to ensure we are ready to help animals and the people who love them today and in the new year.

ARL does not receive any government grants or public funding and relies solely on the donations of individuals like you to keep animals happy and healthy– YOU make our important work possible. 

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ARL Hosting Fee-Waived Small Animal Adoption Event

Small animals make wonderful companion pets

This weekend, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) will host a fee-waived adoption event for small animals, including guinea pigs, rabbits, mice, and hamsters, at all three of its Animal Care and Adoption Centers.

For those thinking of adding a small animal (or two) to the family, it’s a perfect time to do so!

ARL hosting a fee-waived small animal adoption event this weekend.

The event will run from Friday, November 8, through Sunday, November 10 at ARL’s Boston, Dedham, and Brewster Animal Care and Adoption Centers.

Hours of operation are 1-6 p.m.

Currently, ARL has nearly three dozen small animals available for adoption, with many more in foster care waiting their turn.

The organization has seen a dramatic rise in small animal surrenders in the past few years, particularly guinea pigs.

Small animals make wonderful pets – they’re social, relatively quiet, great for small living spaces, and may be an option for those living in properties that may not allow dogs or cats but do allow small animals.

ARL’s Adoption Forward process, a conversation-based, application-free process designed so the needs of both the animal and adopter are understood and compatible with one another, will remain the same for this special adoption event.

Visit an ARL Animal Care & Adoption Center from November 8 through November 10 from 1:00pm-6:00pm:

Boston: 10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA 02116
Dedham: 55 Anna’s Place, Dedham, MA 02026
Brewster (Cape Cod): 981 Main Street (Rte 6A), East Brewster, MA 02631

Prospective adopters must bring a photo of the enclosure their pet will live in to ensure it meets our requirements.

ARL to Recognize Hill’s Pet Nutrition with Animal Advocate Award

Animal Advocate Award winners exemplify compassion and commitment to advance ARL’s mission

During its upcoming Paws to Celebrate event its historic Dedham Campus, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) will recognize Hill’s Pet Nutrition, for the company’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing for animals not only in ARL’s Animal Care and Adoption Centers, but throughout the communities ARL serves.

ARL’s Animal Advocate Award honors distinguished philanthropists and compassionate organizations who have made outstanding contributions to ARL and actively advance the well-being of animals in our community.

ARL is thrilled to recognize Hill’s Pet Nutrition for their extraordinary generosity and achievements in improving the health and wellbeing of animals.

They not only help meet the unique nutritional needs of the animals in our Animal Care & Adoption Centers, they also transform the lives of pets in our community by supporting our pet food pantry and pet adoption.

They are committed to good and their impact extends across the globe!

“We are fortunate to have Hill’s as a partner and supporter. They do so much for animals and the field of animal welfare, and often do not get the recognition they deserve,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino.   “We are honored to present Hill’s with our Animal Advocate Award.”

ARL will present a representative of Hill’s Pet Nutrition with the award on Sunday, October 20, during its annual Paws to Celebrate event at ARL’s Dedham Campus, which is a gathering of like-minded ARL supporters to celebrate their contributions and see first-hand how their support and involvement is helping animals in need, and the people who care for them.

ARL to Recognize Pillar of Boston Nonprofit Community with Animal Advocate Award

Award winners exemplify compassion and commitment to advance ARL’s mission

During its upcoming Paws to Celebrate event at the iconic Hampshire House, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) will recognize Grace Fey, a fixture of the Boston nonprofit community for her exceptional commitment to the organization’s focus in expanding access to pet wellness care throughout the Metro Boston area.

ARL’s Animal Advocate Award honors distinguished philanthropists and compassionate organizations who have made outstanding contributions to ARL and actively advance the well-being of animals in our community.

ARL is thrilled to recognize Grace Fey with this award for demonstrating profound generosity and an unwavering commitment to making a difference for animals and the people who love them.

She is a staunch supporter of expanding access to care for pet owners, ensuring pets can stay with the families who love them.

Grace is a shining example of compassion in action, inspiring us all to make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals.

“Grace is a visionary, seeing the interconnection of human and pet health,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “Grace’s power of connection has led to transformational partnerships within Greater Boston.  She understands that when non-profits work together their strengths are amplified and their reach is extended to create a healthier community for both pets and people.”

ARL will present Grace with her award on Tuesday, October 1, during its annual Paws to Celebrate event at the Hampshire House, which is a gathering of like-minded ARL supporters to celebrate their contributions and see first-hand how their support and involvement is helping animals in need, and the people who care for them.

Herb Chambers Partners with ARL for Too Hot for Spot® Campaign

This week, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and Herb Chambers 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 a decade.

Herb Chambers is the newest community partner to join ARL in spreading this important summer pet safety message, and ARL continues to be grateful to the New England Revolution, Massachusetts State Police, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation for their ongoing support.

ARL is thrilled to have the well-known car magnate and animal lover lend his voice to highlight the importance of keeping our pets safe when the mercury rises.

Additionally, several Herb Chambers dealerships will soon be displaying Too Hot for Spot® materials, to further amplify the message.

ARL is marking 10 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 of heat stroke still exists.

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

During this week’s hot car demonstration, with outside temperatures around 90 degrees, after a thermometer was placed in an ARL vehicle, it took less than three minutes for the interior temperature of the vehicle to reach nearly 120 degrees!

Learn more about important pet safety tips and guidelines and remember — when the temperatures rise, it’s Too Hot for Spot®!

Long-Time ARL Volunteer Launches Coffee Table Book to Benefit ARL

A coffee table book featuring extraordinary photography by long-time Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) volunteer and Cape Cod resident Kim Roderiques was recently unveiled at two well-known Cape establishments and is now available for purchase at numerous book stores – the proceeds of which will benefit ARL.

Dogs in the Province Lands features dog photos captured in many of the beautiful locations of the Province Lands and Provincetown.

The launch parties were held at the iconic Governor Bradford Restaurant in Provincetown and Orpheum Theater in Chatham, where dozens of ARL supporters were able to get a first glimpse of the book, and meet the author/photographer.

Proceeds of the coffee table book will support animals in need at ARL and can be purchased at the following locations:

East End Books
Ptown: 389 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657

Fine Arts Work Center:  24 Pearl St., Provincetown, MA 0265

Boston: 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, MA 02210

www.eastendbooksptown.com

508-413-3225

The Mayflower
475 Main Street Chatham, MA 02633

508-945-0065

www.themayflowershop.com

Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM)
460 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657
org

Provincetown Bookshop
229 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657
provincetownbookshop.com
508-487-0964

Paws & Whiskers
306 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
508-487-3441

The Trading Company
614 Main St.Chatham, MA 02633

508-945-9191

www.tradingcompanychatham.com

Where the Sidewalk Ends
432 Main St., Chatham, MA 02633

www.booksonthecape.com

(508)945-0499

Yellow Umbrella Books

501 Main St, Chatham, MA 02633

508- 945-0144

 

ARL Announces Partnership with The BASE

ARL provides internships, and educational opportunities to expose The BASE youth to careers working with animals

The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is proud to announce its ongoing partnership with The BASE, a Roxbury-based academy using the power of sports to engage urban youth, and provide programs focused on college access, career development, and health and wellness.

This past week, ARL’s Spay Waggin’® also visited the Roxbury location, providing subsidized spay/neuter surgeries for over 20 pets for residents in the Roxbury community.

ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino (L), with The BASE President and CEO Steph Lewis.

The visit not only brought vital veterinary services directly where they’re needed most, but also provided an opportunity for The BASE student-athletes to observe animal welfare in action.

ARL’s partnership with The BASE began in 2021, when ARL began offering paid summer internships to student-athletes interested in a possible career in animal welfare.

One summer intern enjoyed their internship experience so much, that they became a part-time employee at ARL.

ARL has also participated in The BASE’s annual career fair, and staff from different departments have presented to students on their respective jobs, to engage those who are interested in animals but may have never considered animal welfare as a career path.

“The world of animal welfare is an extremely rewarding career,” stated Dr. Edward Schettino, ARL President and CEO. “While many young people today may have a love of animals, they may not be aware of the career options that are available to them. ARL is privileged to partner with The BASE and to be able to offer insight, guidance and encouragement for the next generation of animal advocates.”

BASE President and CEO, Steph Lewis, praised the growing partnership between the two organizations. “The BASE is proud to partner with the Animal Rescue League and we appreciate the role they have played in introducing our student-athletes to career paths in the field of animal welfare. With the Spay Waggin at our site today, we are expanding our partnership and impacting the local community in a new way, bringing ARL’s critical veterinary services to the heart of Roxbury”, said Lewis.

This past week’s visit also marked the Spay Waggin’s first visit to Roxbury, and ARL looks forward to further opportunities in this community to keep animals healthy, happy, and in homes where they belong.

ARL Celebrates 125th Anniversary

ARL celebrates 125th anniversary with Anna Harris Smith Day of Service

On March 13, the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) marked a momentous milestone, celebrating its 125th anniversary.

ARL held its first meeting in February 1899, but was officially incorporated on March 13, 1899.

To celebrate the occasion, ARL honored its founder with the Anna Harris Smith Day of Service.

The Day of Service included a number of community-based efforts to provide pet care and wellness services, staying true to Anna’s forward-thinking vision.

ARL’s Founder 

Anna Harris Smith, a social worker from Dorchester, took action when she witnessed both the cruel mistreatment of Boston’s working horses, and the hordes of stray and homeless animals living on the streets.

She publicly voiced her opinion in an editorial in the Boston Evening Transcript, advocating for a centrally located shelter for the rescue and care of homeless cats and dogs and remarked, “While getting dogs and cats off the street is work worth doing, the teaching of thoughtful kindness is the work that changes families, communities, and a nation.”

Establishing Boston’s first animal shelter combined with Anna’s fervor for humane education and the growing impact of her work for animals in need, communities across the United States began to take notice – ARL was used as a model for others to form their own rescue societies.

True then as it is today – ARL is much more than a local animal shelter!

Anna committed the rest of her days to helping animals in need, expanding ARL’s services to Dedham and Cape Cod, establishing humane law enforcement, advocating humane education for children, and countless other accomplishments to cement her lasting legacy.

Upon her passing in 1929, the American Humane Association stated “The passing of Mrs. Smith removes the outstanding woman in the history of animal protection in America. So long as humane history is preserved there will stand out among its records the name and fame of Mrs. Smith.”

A Day of Service

On the day of ARL’s anniversary, the organization set out in the communities the organization serves to continue its important work.

ARL was honored by Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn at Boston City Hall, in a resolution commending ARL’s 125-year history and ongoing work and advocacy for animals in need.

ARL’s community-based services were also scattered throughout the city offering pet wellness services to support both pets and the people who care for them.

Activities included ARL’s Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals and Families Everyday) providing wellness services at a senior housing complex in Dorchester in collaboration with Boston Senior Homecare, ARL’s Wellness Waggin’ providing low-cost pet wellness services in Dorchester in collaboration with Action for Boston Community Development, ARL’s Spay Waggin’ stopping at the Franklin Park Zoo to provide spay and neuter surgeries for more than two dozen pets, the zoo also provided a space for local Keep Pets S.A.F.E. clients to pick up pet food and supplies.

Additional activities included hosting local children at ARL’s Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Center for “Coloring for Kindness” where kids had the chance to meet the animals and create inspirational anniversary cards to be placed on kennels.

Looking Ahead

Over the past 125 years, ARL has embodied Anna Harris Smith’s vision of thoughtful kindness by helping over 6.2 million animals heal, find homes, and stay with their families, while protecting them from cruelty and neglect.

Keeping true to Anna Harris Smith’s vision, ARL devotes its resources to helping animals thrive, keeping pets and people together, partnering with local non-profit organizations and creating the next generation of compassionate animal advocates.

“Our rich 125-year history is a huge source of pride for us,” says ARL President & CEO, Dr. Edward Schettino. “ARL’s present and future are still rooted in Anna Harris Smith’s original vision and beliefs about animal welfare, its intersection with human well-being, and what our role must be in maintaining both.”