A person smiling, holding a small black and white dog

Pets are family.

This belief is at the heart of everything we do at ARL.

Our Mission

The Animal Rescue League of Boston is an unwavering champion for animals in need, committed to keeping them safe and healthy.

a veterinary tech trimming a tabby kitten's nails
  • Classy Awards 2023 Winner
  • Great Non Profits 2025 Top-Rated

Recognized for our innovative, award-winning programs that go beyond sheltering, we address the root causes of the issues facing animals and the people who love them.

By partnering with communities, we help animals heal and thrive, keep pets and people together, and protect animals from harm.

Because there is no government funding for this important work, animals must rely on people like you to get the care they need, when they need it most, 365 days a year.

Adopt

Matching adoptable animals
with a loving home

Dog Training

Courses are offered
in Boston and Dedham

Medical Care

Offering high-quality, low-cost
veterinary services

Community Programs

Meeting animals and people
where they live

ARL In Action

A person speaking outside at a podium 

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

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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. Priority bills included: An Act to maintain stable housing for families with pets (H.1559);

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A large dog inside, hiding under a blanket with fireworks outside in the background.

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.

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A person speaking outside at a podium 

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

Read More

three circles showing ARL staff members with animals
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animals helped
with your support in 2024!

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