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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.

Deaf Dog Wiggles Her Way into Staff Member’s Heart

Bringing Awareness to Special Needs Pets

Here at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, our staff have all sorts of pets, and among them is a deaf dog named Tippy. What better time to share her story with you than during Deaf Pet Awareness Week? Read on to learn about Tippy.

Tippy1

Tippy

A little over 8 years ago, Maryann Regan, director of shelter operations at the ARL, was managing the animal intake office of our Boston adoption center when a local animal control officer brought in an extremely wiggly and happy white dog.

The officer explained that the municipal shelter had no room and wanted to know if we had kennel space to house this stray dog. “Almost the moment the officer handed the leash over to me,” says Maryann, “this dog was tugging at my heart strings.  She immediately began to give me kisses and her wiggles were out of control- she seemed like a very happy, sweet girl!”

Maryann found herself spending extra time with her, –going for long walks, giving her extra play time in the play yard, and sharing a few extra treats. Something told her that this dog was meant for her family.

“I introduced her to my husband and it was love at first site. We decided, after her medical exam and behavior evaluation, we would adopt her as long as she and the other family members got along.  The other family members are two senior cats that also have a very special place in our hearts.”

During her behavior evaluation, the wiggly white dog performed true to form–high energy, playful, happy, and sweet!

As affectionate and people-oriented as she behaved, however, she also tended to ignore us when we called for her.

Maryann explains: “It wasn’t consistent with what she was typically displaying in her personality because she was usually very concerned or interested in being near every person she met.  She loved people!  Then, why was she ignoring us?”

The pre-adoption medical evaluation identified the issue: this dog was deaf.

“It’s not uncommon for white animals to be deaf.  This dog was all white, with the exception of a few, adorable black dots here and there bounced around on her body,” says Maryann.  “All the times we called for her attention that she did not respond to was not her ignoring us, she simply couldn’t hear us.”

Neither Maryann or her husband had experience with a deaf dog, but Maryann felt confident that they could educate themselves on how to handle her appropriately.  “I had such a strong bond with this dog, I had no reservations about doing all the homework necessary to make this a successful adoption for us, the cats and for her.”

So, if you’re considering adding a pet to your family, don’t overlook deaf pets in your search.

Rugby Update: Parade Goers Adopted this Playful Pup

Rugby is Settling into a New Home!

Rugby at the Boston Pride parade.

Rugby at the Boston Pride parade.

Rugby clearly made an impact at the Boston Pride Parade. When parade goers Maddy and Pam saw him marching with the ARL on June 14, it was love at first sight! They immediately contacted our Boston shelter about adopting him and he went home last week. Our Boston shelter supervisor, Naomi Johnson, said his new family is “dedicated to giving Rugby what he needs to thrive.”

When Rugby first arrived at the ARL his front legs were so severely twisted that he could barely walk. Thanks to a lot of TLC and very specialized therapy regimen, he has made enormous progress.

Read Rugby’s story.

We knew this amazing puppy would need a special home that could give him the attention that he needs and we’re absolutely thrilled that he found himself a great home with new canine and feline siblings and a large back yard to romp around in!

Rugby snuggling with his new brother.

Rugby snuggling with his new brother.

Maddy and Pam said that Rugby loves playing with his new 10-year-old canine brother, Tito and they’re having a fantastic time together.

Rugby is adjusting well and is starting his first day of puppy day care today. Good luck on your first day of “school” Rugby!

Everyone here at the ARL could not be happier for Rugby and his new family! We’d like to thank all of the staff, volunteers, and Dr. Alett Mekler and the physical therapists at Animotion in Stoughton, Massachusetts, who donated their time and services to help with his rehabilitation!

On his second day in his new home, Rugby got a pool!

On his second day in his new home, Rugby got a pool!

 

 

Rikki’s Story: Unique Dog Finds Best Friend

Not Every Pet is Perfect, But Every Pet Deserves the Perfect Home!

Several months ago, a little dog named Rikki arrived at our Dedham Adoption Center.  Though she had a deformity in her front legs, she certainly didn’t act like she did.  She moved and played, and was especially sweet.

And that’s what the family that adopted Rikki saw—an affectionate and playful pup who just thought she was like every other dog.

Here at the Animal Rescue League of Boston we treat every animal as an individual and we believe that every pet deserves a chance to experience love and human companionship. This video of Rikki and her person, Katherine, will inspire you – we can all learn something from this wise little girl!

Share this video with your friends, family, and all of your social networks.  Let’s make it go viral! It’s beautifully done and, above all else, a wonderfully happy story!

Please make a donation today to help animals like Rikki find the perfect match all year long.

Thank you to local videographers Twin Lens Media for producing this video of Rikki and Katherine.  And thank you t0 Rikki’s family for allowing us to share her story.