OUR FOUR-FOOTED
Friends Spring/Summer 2015
Rescue Team on the Scene Winter 2015
It’s Hip to Snip
Spay/Neuter Awareness
Alice T. Whitney Helping Hands for Shelter Animals
and how you help them
ON THE COVER:
Luigi, the bright-eyed puppy on the front cover, met his new family at the ARL’s Boston shelter earlier this Spring. Leonidas Adoptable
Our Mission F
ounded in 1899, the Animal Rescue League of Boston is dedicated to rescuing domesticated animals and wildlife from suffering, cruelty, abandonment, and neglect. The ARL carries out its mission through the following programs: • Emergency Rescue Team • Anti-Cruelty Law Enforcement • Humane Education • Adoption Centers (Boston, Dedham, & Brewster) • Veterinary Services • Spay Waggin’ (Low Cost Spay & Neutering) • Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery
We do not receive government funding. We rely solely on the generosity of our supporters to help animals in need.
Stay connected with us! arlboston.org AnimalRescueLeagueofBoston @ARLBoston arlboston
Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
We are equipped to care for a variety of species of animals that most shelters cannot help. Our Four-Footed Friends is a publication of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, 10 Chandler Street, Boston, MA 02116. Please address all editorial and subscription correspondence to us at the address above, attention Our Four-Footed Friends Managing Editor. ——————————————
VOLUME 117
—————————————— Managing Editor: Ami Bowen Contributing Writers: Angela Altobelli Ami Bowen Lisa Graham Mary Nee Jackie Smith Contributing Photographers: Angela Altobelli Christine S. Barton Brian O’Connor Dr. Kyle Quigley Jackie Smith Maria L. Uribe
Contents
2
Message from the President: Celebration and New Beginnings
3
Going Above and Beyond
4
10 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore
6
Alice T. Whitney Helping Hands Fund
7
Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories
8
Fun In Store for Paws in the Park 2015
10
It’s Hip to Snip
12
Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week
13
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners!
14 Poe Adopted
Winter Weather Animal Rescues
15
Finding Animals Homes Means So Much More at ARL Shelters
16
People and Paws: ARL Events
Save a life. Donate today!
617.426.9170 x 615
arlboston.org/donate
use enclosed envelope arlboston.org 1
Mary Nee, ARL president, with Cookie.
Message from the President Celebration and New Beginnings
F
or me, Spring is always a time of celebration. At the ARL, we have many reasons to cheer! At the top of the list are the major achievements of 2014, all made possible by supporters like you.
Over 15,000 animals received assistance and care through ARL programs and services in 2014. I am also proud to say our staff and volunteers remained ready to answer the call for help throughout the brutal winter of 2015. As the snowflakes flew, dedicated staff and volunteers provided care and attention to the animals in our shelters. In the field, our rescue and law enforcement teams assisted communities with animals and wildlife in distress. As our rescue teams brought in stray animals from the cold, our thoughts turned towards raising awareness about the many ways to prevent animal homelessness. We launched the “It’s Hip to Snip” campaign in February to promote the benefits of spay/neuter to pets, people, and the prevention of animal overpopulation. During Volunteer Appreciation Week festivities, we celebrated the contributions of our 500+ volunteers 2 Our Four-Footed Friends
and the steps the organization has taken to better serve and support these generous individuals. We created a volunteer Facebook page to facilitate communication and collaboration, and hired a volunteer supervisor for our Brewster shelter. We also expanded our canine behavior modification “Mod Squad” in Boston and established new Squads in Brewster and Dedham. Mod Squad volunteers participate in specialized training courses at the ARL so they can provide important assistance to shelter animals with a variety of behavioral issues. I also think of Spring as a time of new beginnings. The rush of newborn kittens into our shelters is well underway. Growing our network of foster volunteers to care for kittens and other animals with medical and behavioral issues in a home-environment is a major priority right now. I encourage you to visit arlboston.org to learn more about the many rewards of becoming a foster parent for animals.
Internally, we continue to develop our strategic plan to guide our work over the next 5-10 years. This process has involved more than 100 Board members, staff, and supporters. I look forward to sharing with you the outcome of this important work in the months ahead as we develop a vision for what the ARL hopes to accomplish for animals in the future. Of course, the new beginnings that are the most meaningful to everyone at the ARL are those of the many animals who now have a chance at a better life because of supporters like you. As you read this edition of Our Four Footed Friends, I hope the stories of Piper and Dumpling, Titan and Tucker, and the many others will fill you with the happiness and optimism of Spring. Sincerely,
Mary Nee President
T h e i m pa c t o f y o u r d o n atio n s
15,100 animals in Massachusetts received care and assistance in 2014 5,620 helped at our shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham 3,987 spayed/neutered through the Spay Waggin’ 3,864 assisted by the Rescue Services Team 3,137 patients cared for at the private veterinary clinic, Boston Veterinary Care 724 tended to by our dedicated foster volunteers 592 vaccinated at community rabies clinics 311 aided by our Law Enforcement Team 251 spayed/neutered at Fix-a-Feral Clinics
Thank you for helping so many animals in need!
Going Above and Beyond Congratulations to the ARL’s Boston Marathon Charity Team Thanks to the generosity of the John Hancock Marathon Nonprofit Program, four inspired marathoners — Mal Malme, Chris Aronis, Scott Shapiro, and Alexis Sheehan — trained through snow, ice, and bitter cold this winter to get ready for the grueling 119th running of the Boston Marathon. Not only did our dedicated team diligently train to run, they also worked tirelessly to raise over $40,000 to help animals in need. When asked what inspired him to join the ARL team, Scott Shapiro talked about his dog Gizmo, whom he adopted from the ARL’s Boston shelter in 2004. Gizmo passed away in 2013, yet the “little, gray, feisty Pekingnese… who brought joy to our lives with his waddle, his hot dog stealing, his distinct aversion to any human-to-human
Presenting the ARL’s Boston Marathon charity team, (from left to right) Mal Malme, Chris Aronis, Scott Shapiro, and Alexis Sheehan. Congratulations to all four runners who completed the cold and rainy run this year!
Thank you!
John Hancock, the members of our marathon team, and everyone who supported their extraordinary efforts. affection, and his wall-shaking snoring,” is very much in his thoughts. “I’m running in Gizmo’s memory and to honor everything the ARL does to support our city’s animals.” Team member Mal Malme explained her motivation came from her many years as a volunteer at the ARL’s Boston
shelter. “My experiences working alongside staff to enrich the lives of the dogs at the shelter and helping to ensure they get adopted into loving homes has made my life immeasurably more meaningful. Now I get to say thank you by running the 2015 Boston Marathon with Team ARL!”
Ellen B. Gray Memorial Fund Challenge Donation for Spay/Neuter Programs During National Spay/Neuter Awareness Month in February, the Ellen B. Gray Memorial Fund challenged the ARL to triple a $5,000 donation to fund spay and neuter programs at the ARL. The ARL met the challenge, raising $15,000 in just 15 days to benefit the Spay Waggin’, shelter medicine, and feral cat programs. The “It’s Hip to Snip” fund drive was the first of four short-term fund drives planned for 2015. Each fund drive is targeted to key animal welfare issues and ARL programs. Challenge donors like the Ellen B. Gray Memorial Fund help encourage other supporters to give during the drive because supporters know their donation will help increase the total level of support.
Inspired by the Ellen B. Gray Fund, an anonymous donor next challenged the ARL to double a $5,000 donation during the “Spring Into Action” Rescue Fund Drive to benefit the ARL’s technically-trained rescue services team. Providing emergency response and assistance to domesticated animals and wildlife is very expensive work and the ARL receives no government or public funding. The “Spring Into Action” Rescue Fund Drive successfully raised more than $20,000 in 7 days, just in time for the team’s busiest time of year during the late spring and summer months.
The “Spring Into Action” Shelter Fund Drive will take place May 7-30 and another will take place in October to benefit the ARL’s law enforcement work.
Thank you to our Challenge Donors!
Interested in becoming a challenge donor during a fund drive? Contact Caitlin Oates at 617.226.5690 or coates@arlboston.org. arlboston.org 3
10 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore on….
W
hether you live in a rural, suburban, or urban neighborhood, animal blood sports — an illegal sport or contest involving the bloodshed of animals for the purpose of gambling or entertainment — happen in all types of areas across the country, including Massachusetts. Blood sports represent one of the most brutal forms of cruelty, often resulting in serious injury or death of the animals involved. We sat down with Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, the ARL’s vice president of animal welfare, to learn more about the effects of blood sports on animals. The ARL recently co-sponsored a training on the topic in conjunction with the New England Federation of Humane Societies. OFFF: Blood sports can involve different kinds of animals. Can you describe some of the different forms? Dr. Smith: Cockfighting and finch fighting have been known to occur in Massachusetts. During cockfighting, roosters specifically bred to be aggressive are pitted against one another. It’s common to attach knives to the birds’ legs to increase the harm done by each kick. Fights end in serious injury or death. During finch fighting between two male birds, a female will be kept nearby to increase the instinct-based fighting. The owners may attach blades to the feet and sharpen beaks to ensure maximum injury. In so-called “organized” dog fighting, dogs are specifically bred, conditioned, and trained to fight and placed in a pit/ring to fight one another. The fight ends when one dog can’t continue due to exhaustion or injury.
4 Our Four-Footed Friends
Blood Sports – What You Need to Know Informal dog fighting also occurs when people spontaneously fight their dogs on the spot. These fights may happen in backyards or basements. OFFF: What generally happens to the “winner” — or worse yet — the “loser” in a dog fight? Dr. Smith: There are no winners and losers — they all lose. Dogs who “win” will likely fight again. Dogs who “lose” may be killed by their handler or left to suffer with injuries that become infected and can lead to death. It’s common to have dead dogs brought to the attention of the ARL’s law enforcement department — dogs who were discovered on the side of the road, floating in the harbor or in the trash. Fighting dogs often suffer severe injuries such as punctures and lacerations causing disfigurement of their lips, ears and snouts, or crush injuries to muscles and bones. Sometimes there’s massive internal bleeding. The scars and injuries that are visible on the outside are only a fraction of what the dog has suffered.
They usually live in inhumane housing where they are caged alone. The dogs are often hidden in basements or out-buildings and kept in the dark 24 hours a day to minimize barking. The dogs are emotionally neglected. They endure endless boredom, the pain and agony of the fights themselves, the injuries they sustain, and life-threatening infections they develop. And if they survive all that, they may suffer a cruel death at the hands of their owners. OFFF: What can people do to help stop blood sports from happening in their communities? Dr. Smith: Organized animal fighting enterprises are notoriously complex and dog fighters are very difficult for law enforcement to track. Dog fighting is almost always accompanied by other crimes such as gambling, illegal drugs and weapons. Children exposed to dog fighting become desensitized to the inherent violence and are forced to accept it as normal. By bringing concerns forward to local authorities, you can make a big difference in the lives of animals and people involved.
Dr. Smith-Blackmore Awarded Prestigious Stanton Foundation Next Generation Fellowship in Canine Welfare During her 14 years with the ARL, Dr. Smith-Blackmore has made significant contributions not only to the organization, but also in the lives of animals everywhere. She helped build the ARL’s shelter medicine program, modernize the ARL’s private veterinary clinic Boston Veterinary Care, and increase the expertise of the Spay Waggin’ in providing high-quality mobile care. Her work in setting national standards of care for shelters and animal transports, as well as to move the practice of veterinary forensics light years ahead, has earned her international recognition as an expert in the field. The Stanton Foundation has awarded Dr. Smith with the prestigious Next Generation Fellowship in Canine Welfare. As a result, she will be leaving the ARL to pursue academic interests at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. While everyone at the ARL will very much miss having her expertise and passion within the organization, we will, as Dr. Smith herself said, “think of us as continuing to work together — just in different places — to improve the lives of animals in need.”
7
War n i n g S i g n s o f
Potential Animal Cruelty
While most members of the public recognize that punching, kicking, burning, choking, or hitting an animal with an object are acts of animal cruelty, there are more subtle signs to watch
for that could indicate mistreatment, neglect, or abuse:
1 2 3 4
Howling or barking for a sustained period of time or hearing an animal cry in pain with higher pitched, more persistent vocal sounds than usual.
A large number of animals coming or going from a property.
Lack of protection from the weather or fece- or debris-strewn living areas for animals.
5 6 7
Wounds, unusual scars, hair loss, frequent limping often on different legs, or signs of improper nutrition such as weight loss or prominent visible ribs. Animals kept caged or tied with little room to move for long periods of time or without regular interaction with people. Collars, leashes, or halters so tight they visibly dig into the animal’s face or neck.
Singed, matted, chronically or excessively dirty hair or fur.
See Something, Say Something.
Report Animal Cruelty arlboston.org/take-action arlboston.org 5
Alice T. Whitney Helping Hands Fund Helping owned and shelter pets get the veterinary care they need Titan needed a $2,000 surgery to immediately remove the tumor and test for cancer. The ARL moved quickly to get Titan the medical care and testing he needed. “Titan’s tumor ended up being a very rare type of benign kidney tumor,” reported Dr. Doyle. “Now that the tumor has been removed, Titan should be able to go on to live a normal life.” With the tumor gone, Dr. Doyle cleared Titan for adoption. He went home with a new family shortly after surgery and by all reports is doing very well. More recently, Tucker, a delightful 10-year-old male cat, came into the Boston shelter after he was found with severe trauma to his right ear. In order to repair the wound, Tucker needed $650 in surgery and post-operative care. Big and lovable Titan needed immediate surgery to remove a large kidney tumor.
The spirit and generosity of Alice T. Whitney, described in an ARL Board tribute to her as “always ready to extend a helping hand to those in need,” lives on through all the second chances provided by the fund that bears her name. Longtime ARL supporter and former director Jane Whitney Marshall established the fund in memory of her grandmother Alice — a contemporary and friend of ARL Founder Anna Harris Smith — to ensure limited economic means did not prevent loving owners from providing vital veterinary care for their pets in treatable medical emergencies.
Since she established the fund, hundreds of beloved family pets are happy, healthy, and thriving at home, thanks to the generosity of the Alice T. Whitney Helping Hands Fund.
Though his surgeon had to amputate his ear flap, Tucker has landed on his feet as all cats do and he continues his recovery.
In 2015, the Alice T. Whitney Fund has generously offered to match dollar for dollar public donations to support the costs of providing medical care and treatment to shelter animals, like Titan and Tucker. During a routine neuter surgery in January, ARL shelter veterinarian Dr. Erin Doyle discovered that shelter dog Titan had a large mass in his abdomen. X-rays confirmed the 6-year-old big and lovable Mastiff had a tumor.
Help support medical care for shelter animals! To learn more and make a donation, visit Arlboston.org/alice-t-whitney-helping-hand-fund 6 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
Tucker, a sweet senior gentleman, is recovering after surgery to repair severe trauma to his right ear in his new home.
Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories Piper: Injured kitten finds the new family she deserves BEFORE AFTER
BEFORE: Piper came to the ARL’s Brewster shelter with a serious injury to her back leg. AFTER: Today, Piper is walking well and a cherished member of her new family.
Thanks to you!
Piper is getting the love and care she deserves.
At just 7-weeks old, Piper was left all on her own out in the cold just before Christmas. As a young kitten abandoned in the midst of winter, Piper was vulnerable to exposure, injury, and starvation. Fortunately, kind Samaritans found the tiny brown tabby struggling to walk near an ice cream shop in Orleans, Massachusetts. They brought her to the ARL’s Brewster Shelter for treatment. During her initial medical exam, ARL shelter veterinarian Dr. Kyle Quigley discovered that Piper had seriously fractured her back leg. He recommended that she go to Tufts Veterinary Emergency Treatment and Specialties in Walpole for further evaluation by a veterinary surgeon “Piper was anemic, dehydrated, and clearly in some discomfort because of her broken leg,” Dr. Quigley explained. “Because she was so little, we wanted to make sure we helped her heal with minimal pain.” The ARL funded her delicate surgery where veterinary surgeons inserted a steel plate and pins to repair her fracture. An ARL volunteer foster
An X-ray of Piper’s leg with the pins and steel plate inserted to repair the serious fracture in her back leg.
parent brought her home following surgery so she could rehabilitate and adjust to living with people. Two months after her surgery, shelter veterinarians declared her healthy and ready for adoption. At the ARL’s Boston shelter, Piper caught the attention of her new family. From left out in the cold to surrounded by warmth and love, today Piper can walk, play, and rest easy. Added ARL Boston shelter manager Marianne Gasbarro, “she received the treatment she needed and will have a much better life.”
Dumpling: Dedicated New Mom Gets a Second Chance Dumpling, a two-year-old brighteyed new mom, arrived at the ARL’s Dedham shelter after a kind citizen found her and her five kittens alone in a field last summer. She came to the shelter just in time, too. “When Dumpling came to us she had a painful, infected wound at the base of her tail, was covered in fleas, and was nursing several very young kittens,” noted ARL veterinarian Dr. Kate Gollon. In addition to her injury, Dumpling had severe flea anemia, leaving her weak with little energy to care for herself and her kittens. The new mom and her young family quickly received much-needed medical care.
In order to best allow her to nurture her kittens, Dumpling and her brood went to stay with an ARL foster volunteer. The ARL’s Dedham shelter helped find the kittens homes when they were ready to live on their own, while Dumpling remained with her foster family while her tail wound healed. She formed a deep bond with her foster parent during her stay. The better she got, the more her warm and resilient personality emerged. Today, Dumpling is happy, healthy, and settling into her new home with her adopted family.
Thanks to you!
Dumpling has fully recovered and has a second chance at a better life. arlboston.org 7
Saturday, May 30
Even More Fun in Store for Paws in the Park 2015 The ARL is once again kicking off the Cape Cod summer season with Paws in the Park 2015 on Saturday, May 30, 11 AM – 3 PM, at Drummer Boy Park in Brewster. With extended hours and additional entertainment and activities, this year’s event offers even more fun for people and their pets. Once again, all proceeds from the event benefit the ARL’s Brewster shelter. Last year, Paws in the Park drew over 1,000 people and their pets to the event. The festival-like atmosphere features family- and pet-friendly
activities, entertainment, contests, and shopping. Thanks to the support of presenting sponsor Agway of Cape Cod and many other businesses, preparations are well underway for another fantastic celebration of the relationship between people and their pets. “Thanks to the generous support of our Presenting Sponsor Agway and other local businesses, we are very much looking forward to starting off the summer season with a fun-filled gathering of animallovers and supporters,” says Mary Nee.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS for supporting Paws in the Park 2015
Presenting Sponsor: AGWAY OF CAPE COD
8 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
11 AM – 3 PM Drummer Boy Park Brewster Among the activities planned are a Frisbee dog show, a police K-9 unit demo, a “doggie” photo kissing booth, a pet psychic, a DJ, contests, and a doggie pool pavilion. Attendees can also climb aboard the ARL’s mobile Spay Waggin’, try on the ARL rescue team ice suits, and get an up-close look at a mock cat-in-tree rescue. The prize pavilion will include dozens of great prizes.
Visit arlboston.org/paws-in-park for more event information.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor...
arlboston.org 9
It’s Hip to Snip Increasing Awareness About the Importance of Spay/Neuter There’s nothing cool about pet overpopulation. Throughout February and March, the ARL drove home that message with the “It’s Hip to Snip” spay/neuter awareness campaign. In 2014, the ARL’s mobile Spay Waggin’, shelter medicine, and feral cat programs spayed or neutered more than 5,900 cats, dogs, small animals, and livestock. Educating the public about the benefits of spaying and neutering plays a major role in continuing to grow that number. Thanks to media partners Clear Channel Outdoor, The Pet Gazette, 98.5 The Sports Hub, WEEI-AM, WRKO-AM, and WZLX-FM, print and billboard advertising, and public service announcements promoting the campaign’s spay/neuter awareness message reached an even larger audience. On National Spay Day at the end of February, the ARL hosted an
Caption caption caption....
PICTURED ABOVE: The Spay Waggin’ is the ARL’s largest community spay and neuter program. The mobile spay/neuter unit makes monthly stops in different locations on the South Shore and Cape Cod to help pet owners in financial need. To date in 2015, the Spay Waggin’ has spayed or neutered 1,148 cats and dogs.
3
Reasons
It’s Hip to Snip!
1 2 3
You snip, you save
Given the number of affordable options available in MA, the cost of caring for an unplanned litter far outweighs the cost of having a pet spayed or neutered.
Snipping lengthens life span The USA Today reports neutered male dogs live 18% longer than un-neutered males, and spayed females live 23% longer than unspayed females.
Snipping reduces spraying Neutering resolves the vast majority of marking behaviors, even when a cat has a long-standing habit.
10 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
Ask-a-Vet interactive Twitter chat with Dr. Edward Schettino, director of veterinary medical services at the ARL. The Twitter chat gave members of the community the opportunity to engage with Dr. Schettino and have their spay/neuter health and wellness questions answered. “There are too many cats and dogs in our communities that don’t have homes and if we can increase spay and neuter rates, we can stop the problem from happening in the first place,” explains Dr. Schettino. “By helping more people learn about the advantages of spay/neuter for pets, people, and the community, and addressing misconceptions many people have about the low-risk surgery, we will go a long way toward preventing animal homelessness.”
Animal Awareness ARL Public Education Campaigns
2015 Calendar
JANUARY – MARCH It’s Hip to Snip Spay or Neuter Your Pet
APRIL See something, say something Report Animal Cruelty
JUNE Got cats on your mind? Adopt a Shelter Cat during Adopt-a-Cat Month
July – September
July – September Too Hot for Spot Keep Your Pet Safe in the Summer Heat
Super pets are here Adopt a Shelter Pet
September – October See something, say something Report Animal Cruelty
October Bark if you love October! Adopt a Shelter Dog during Adopt-a-Dog Month
November – December Home for the holidays Help Shelter Animals Find a Home
arlboston.org arlboston.org 11
Pictured at left (L to R): Mary Nee, ARL president; Kim Langone, Best of Boston; Marna Terry, Best Foster; Suesan Williams, ARL’s Unsung Hero; Debby Vogel, volunteer and educational programs manager at the ARL
Sandy Luppi, Brewster shelter manager
Mary Utt, Admin’s Above and Beyond
Volunteers and staff celebrating at ARL shelters.
John Sarno, Dedham’s Most Dignified Dawn Leelaub, Brewster shelter supervisor
Donnelle and Wes Denery, Cape’d Crusaders
500
Volunteers Strong Celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Week Providing a high-level of care, personal attention, and individual training to all the animals in ARL shelters takes patience, time, and energy. The dedicated efforts of ARL volunteers inside and outside the shelters are vital to the health and well-being of animals in need, and to moving the ARL’s mission forward. During National Volunteer Week in April, the ARL shelters in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster hosted recognition events to show the organization’s appreciation for the support and tireless enthusiasm among the ARL’s 500-strong base of volunteers. ARL staff also wanted to acknowledge the many volunteers who went above and beyond their typical duties during the year, awarding a select few special honors with volunteer awards.
Thank you to our volunteers! Your hard work, time, and commitment enhances the lives of animals in our community every day.
12 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
Congratulations to the 2015 Award Winners Best of Boston Kim Langone, Boston Shelter Dedham’s Most Dignified John Sarno, Dedham Shelter Cape’d Crusader Wes Denery, Brewster Shelter Donnelle Denery, Brewster Shelter ARL’s Un-Sung Hero Suesan Williams, Boston & Dedham Shelters/Foster Parent Admin’s Above & Beyond Marilyn Wales, Dedham Cemetery Mary Utt, Brewster Shelter Mobile’s Most Marvelous Maria Uribe, Boston Shelter Our Four-Footed Friends Best Foster Marna Terry, Boston Shelter/Foster Parent
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners! Whole Foods Market South End
Bonnie Porter Huggins (left), manager of corporate and foundation relations at the ARL, answered questions about the rescue fund drive at Whole Foods Market South End.
To help kick of the ARL’s “Spring Into Action” Rescue Fund Drive, Whole Foods Market South End donated 5% of sales on April 8. The store promoted the event to customers, encouraging members of the South End community to shop to support animals in need. The day-long event raised $5,000 for the rescue services team.
Soundtrack Studio Boston
Emory Adopted
Late last year, Soundtrack Studio in Boston hosted ARL adoptable dogs and encouraged guests at the company’s annual Christmas party to donate to the organization. To ring in 2015, Soundtrack recorded and produced radio public service announcements for the ARL’s public education campaigns.
arlboston.org 13
Winter Weather Animal Rescues ARL’s Rescue Services Team on the Snowy and Icy Scene and waded through the icy waters in Gloucester to help a duck entangled in netting. Other types of wildlife had difficulties as well. During the same week in February, the team assisted in the rescue of a coyote stuck out on the ice in Quincy. Members of the ARL team helped move the animal back to shore as his or her nervous mate paced anxiously back and forth.
Brian O’Connor, manager of rescue services, with an injured water fowl.
Winter 2015 was rough for everyone in Massachusetts, including our four-footed and winged friends. Luckily for animals in distress, the ARL’s rescue team was on the snowy and icy scene to help.
Between the frigid temperatures and snow, stray and feral cats struggled. One injured stray cat wedged itself behind some boards in Boston covered by a huge snow drift. The rescue team dug her out and brought her back to our Boston shelter for further care. After a concerned citizen reported a feral cat had been stuck in a heating vent after the snow from several storms
covered the opening, the City of Boston lent a hand to the ARL’s rescue team to get through the snow and free the trapped animal. As a feral cat, he was not too keen on sticking around to thank his human rescuers, but community members have since spotted him and say he appears to be doing fine. When a horse barn in Stoughton collapsed from the weight of the snow, the ARL rescue team was also on the scene to provide assistance moving horses to new shelter. Luckily, no horses were injured in the collapse. Read The Boston Globe’s profile of a winter day in the life of the ARL’s Rescue Services Team at people.boston.com/animalrescue
Snow storm after snow storm took their toll on wild birds, including ducks, geese, and swans. Not only did they turn up in unusual and less-thansafe places such as busy parking lots looking for something to eat and a place to rest, but they also experienced numerous injuries. During one week in February, the rescue team scooted out on the ice to help an injured goose on the frozen Charles River in Waltham, assisted a sick swan in a driveway in Lynn,
Numerous ducks and geese patiently await rescue from the ARL’s rescue services team.
S u m m e r is Co m i n g !
Too Hot for Spot Safety Tips If your pet is outdoors for an extended time, find a shady spot with ample air flow to prevent overheating. Keep a bowl of cold water accessible at all times. Limit exercise to the morning or evening hours when temperatures are at their coolest. Never leave your pet alone in a parked car — even with the air conditioner on or with the windows cracked. 14 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
The rescue team prepares the ice sled.
For more warm weather pet safety tips, visit arlboston.org/summer-safety
TOO H T FOR SPOT! 70° is too hot to leave a dog in the car.
Vehicle Temperature Outside Inside 75º 118º 77º 123º 81º 138º 90º 143º 94º 145º
In just minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise to deadly levels!
Behind the Scene Finding Animals Homes Means So Much More at ARL Shelters With a focus on supporting a positive outcome for every cat and dog, bunny and parakeet, chicken and horse, ARL shelter staff takes a comprehensive approach to achieving the very important goal of finding animals permanent homes. In the spirit of continuous improvement, the ARL conducted an extensive evaluation of operations at all three shelter locations in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham in 2014. According to Maryann Regan, the ARL’s director of shelter operations, “We thoroughly assessed our current methods and began to implement enhancements and changes to our practices to ensure we provide the best environment and care for animals, as well as for our staff and volunteers.” As part of the evaluation, staff considered how to better counsel pet owners who contact the shelter about surrendering an animal. “If someone feels that they can no longer care for a pet, we now encourage them to come in and talk to us,” explains Maryann. “We’ll make every
Spring Into Action!
Support the ARL’s Shelter Fund Drive May 7-30, 2015 You can help provide more animals with the care and support they need to find a home during the ARL’s “Spring Into Action” Shelter Fund Drive. All donations during the fund drive will go directly to support the ARL’s shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham.
Visit arlboston. kintera.org/shelters to make a donation now.
effort possible to help keep the animal in its current home.” If a stray animal comes to the shelter with a microchip, staff conducts an investigation among pet microchip companies and posts a description and pictures on social media to try to locate an owner. Many happy families have received a call from ARL shelter to say a beloved pet — missing anywhere from a few hours, to a couple days, to many years — was waiting for them. Also as a result of the 2014 evaluation, shelter staff recognized an opportunity to extend the behavior and enrichment program for all shelter animals.
ARL volunteer Voravut R. spends some time cuddling with guinea pig Boo Boo.
“Most shelters put an emphasis on the medical and physical aspects of animal care,” says Maryann. “At the ARL, we know that an animal’s mental and emotional well-being is equally as important. We want to make each animal happy and comfortable, and to prepare them for life in their future home.” Earlier this year, the shelters standardized adoption hours across the locations (Tuesday - Sunday, 1:00 pm to 6:30 pm), to allow for more animal care and enrichment time. All animals now receive mental stimulation throughout the day to prevent stress and boredom, balanced with quiet time. The next step in supporting the placement of animals in permanent homes: growing the ARL’s foster program. A group of dedicated foster volunteers currently takes in animals from the shelters to provide a homeenvironment to help an animal recover from surgery, re-acclimate to living with people, or work on a behavioral issue such as fear and anxiety or liter box usage. Expanding the number of foster volunteers means even more animals
ARL volunteer Ann Marie shares a moment with pigeon friend Tom Brady.
can get the support they need to live successfully in a new home. Whether helping pet owners with training, providing shelter animals with enrichment, or working closely with potential adopters, finding animals homes means so much more at the ARL. Adds Maryann: “Some of the most rewarding work that takes place at the ARL involves encouraging a strong bond between animals and people. We work very hard to care for animals in a way that supports a long, close, and happy relationship with their families.”
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People and Paws at the ARL Leadership Council Lunch and Learn with ARL’s Rescue Services Team The ARL recently hosted an invitation-only Lunch and Learn with the Rescue Services team. Over a casual lunch donated by Whole Foods Market South End, members of the ARL’s Leadership Council and select donors got an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the technical training, equipment, and expertise the rescue services team applies on daily basis to help animals in distress.
The team described the preparation they do in order to help a variety of species in emergency scenarios and how they work with local authorities and statewide agencies. Attendees had the chance to ask questions, try on the rescue ice suits, and learn about how the team decides on an approach in a rescue. Everyone came away with a fuller appreciation of the important role the ARL’s rescue services team plays in protecting animals in the community.
Rescue services manager Brian O’Connor speaking at the Leadership Council Lunch and Learn.
J oin the Pack ! Become a member of the ARL’s Young Professionals The ARL Young Professionals share a love of animals and a passion for rescuing them from suffering, cruelty, abandonment, and neglect.
members enjoyed a special screening of the documentary Dogs on the Inside, at Aeronaut Brewery located in Somerville.
The group currently has over 100 members who participate in 6 -7 events a year, including cocktail hours, pet parades, and pet care demonstrations. At the group’s most recent event,
If you are between the ages of 21-40 and live and/or work in the Greater Boston area, visit arlboston.org/yp to learn more about membership benefits and to join the pack.
Run for Animals iN NEED...
Join the ARL’s 2015 New Balance Falmouth Road Race Team The ARL has a limited number of charity bibs available for runners interested in participating in the classic New Balance Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 16. In return for pledging to raise a minimum of $750, ARL team members will enjoy: • An opportunity to tour the Animal Rescue League’s Boston or Brewster animal shelter • Custom singlet and ARL swag • Hands-on help with fundraising, online fundraising and social media promotion 16 Our Four-Footed Friends | Spring/Summer 2015
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2015. Visit arlboston.org/falmouth-road-race to apply for a bib number today!
“I want my future giving plans to reflect my values and goals.” — Randi Cohen,
ARL Board member and supporter
Hug them today,
help them tomorrow
Like Randi, many compassionate members of our community want to create a better, more humane community for the animals and people we care about most… now and in the future. Including the Animal Rescue League of Boston in your estate plan is the ultimate expression of your long-term commitment to this goal.
TALK WITH US ABOUT JOINING THE ANNA HARRIS SMITH LEGACY SOCIETY CONTACT: Caitlin Oates, Senior Manager, President’s Council 617.226.5690 • coates@arlboston.org arlboston.org 17
Animal Rescue League of Boston | 10 Chandler Street | Boston, MA 02116-5221
Thank you to all our supporters
from the entire ARL staff
Too H T for Spot! When the temperature goes up, leave your pet at home.