OUR FOUR-FOOTED
Friends Fall/Winter 2014
Rugby and Madeline’s
Happy Tails
Pushing for Reform in Boston Animal Hoarding:
What You Need to Know
and how you help them
ON THE COVER:
A real-life miracle puppy, Rugby recovered from a severe leg deformity and got a chance at a better life. Choco Adopted
Our Mission F • Emergency Rescue Team
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.
• Anti-Cruelty Law Enforcement
——————————————
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:
• 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
We are equipped to care for a variety of species of animals that most shelters cannot help.
Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
VOLUME 116
—————————————— Managing Editor: Ami Bowen Contributing Writers: Ami Bowen Elizabeth Dobrska Mary Nee Contributing Photographers: Christine S. Barton The Boston Globe Cold Nose Photography Elizabeth Dobrska Danielle Genter Amelia Hughes Rachael Mott Maria L. Uribe Ellen Wallet
Contents
2
Message from the President: Bringing it Home for the Holidays
3
Going Above and Beyond
4
10 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore
5
Making a Difference for Animals
6
A New Home for the Center for Shelter Dogs
7
Home for the Holidays
8
Record-breaking Crowd at “Paws in the Park”
9
ARL Thanks Community at Summer Social
10
Cats Were On Our Mind In June — Bark if You Love October!
11
Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories
12
The ARL Launches New Leadership Council
13
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners! Susy Adopted
14
Rescue on the Scene…
15
Too Hot for Spot!
16
ARL Launches Fall Lecture for President’s Council Members
Save a life. Donate today!
617.426.9170 x 615
arlboston.org/donate
use enclosed envelope arlboston.org 1
Mary Nee, president of the ARL, with ARL adoptable Rylee.
Message from the President Bringing it Home for the Holidays
A
s a native Bostonian, I am blessed to have my extended family living in the area and we are easily able to come together to celebrate the holidays. Each year I watch the news reports of stranded travelers and think, I would never travel during these busy times. Yet as soon as this thought enters my mind, another more powerful one comes forward — an appreciation for the deep human desire to be with loved ones and for the lengths people will go to be home for the holidays. Just like us, the animals that arrive at our doors from emergency rescues, law enforcement investigations, and owner surrenders have a deep desire to be with loving human companions. In the spirit of togetherness, our end-of-the-year “Home for the Holidays” campaign encourages
adoption and support for homeless animals. Our biggest wish for the holiday season is to bring together the animals in our care with individuals willing to open their hearts to a shelter pet. Of course, helping animals in need also goes on outside the four walls of our shelter, too. In mid-November, the PAWS act took effect. Inspired by Puppy Doe, the law increases penalties for animal abuse, requires veterinarians to report abuse, and forms a task force to comprehensively review all animalrelated laws in Massachusetts. The ARL will serve on the task force when it convenes in 2015. To help ourselves and other contributors to the task force prepare, we organized a seminar for members of the animal welfare, human services, and law enforcement communities to hear Phil Arkow, a noted speaker and animal welfare advocate, give a talk about the research he has collected regarding the link between animal cruelty and other forms of community violence. We also continue to work with the City of Boston on reform of the city’s Animal Care and Control department. We believe changes are underway now which will have an immediate positive effect for the animals in Boston and other animal control facilities throughout the state. None of these things would be happening without you.
Like many non-profit organizations, a major portion of our public support comes in at the end of the year. It is a frustrating fact of business and adds significant urgency to the work we are doing in our shelters and on the streets. As you read this edition of Our Four-Footed Friends, I need you to think about the animals described in the articles and featured in the pictures. Think about the 199 dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles rescued from the house in Lynnfield in February as you read Dr. Smith’s Q&A on hoarding. Think about Madeline and Rugby, a cat and dog who came to our shelters unable to walk. Think about the frightened cats who escaped from a five-alarm fire now safe after our rescue team helped bring them back to safety. Then I need you to once again express your love of animals, compassion, and kindness by giving to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Thank you for all that you do for animals in need — and happy holidays to you and the animals in your life. Sincerely,
Mary Nee President
You make all of our work possible... prevention
protection
positive outcomes
Accessible spay/ neuter services and vaccination clinics
Cruelty prevention, law enforcement, and emergency rescue
Adoption, shelter medicine, dog training, and veterinary care
2 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
(From left to right) Bonnie Porter Huggins, manager of corporate and foundation relations at the ARL, holding Rylee; Mary Nee; Rob Hale, CEO of Granite Telecommunications.
Going Above and Beyond Granite Telecommunications: Celebrating a Major Milestone with a Major Gift In September, ARL president Mary Nee accepted the largest corporate gift in the organization’s history: a donation of $163,000 from Granite Telecommunications, a provider of voice, data, networking, and other communications services. Granite’s CEO Rob Hale decided to celebrate hitting $1 billion in annualized revenues by donating $1 million across five charitable organizations. He asked Granite’s 1200 employees to nominate charities that “make a difference” to the community
and more than 75 organizations received nominations. Hale’s team narrowed the list to five and asked employees to vote on how to spread the $1 million across the finalists.
Massachusetts, she introduced Rylee, an adoptable Chihuahua from the ARL’s Boston shelter, as a “real-life example of an animal who will have a chance at a better life, thanks to you.”
“While Granite as a company is very proud to reach this billiondollar achievement, we are even prouder of our employees as they embrace the spirit of giving back to the community,” explained Hale.
The audience cheered as Mr. Hale announced that he would give $1,000 to the person who adopted Rylee to cover her adoption fee and initial care. Thanks to his encouragement, a Granite employee brought Rylee home a few days later. By all reports, she has been a most welcome addition to her new family.
As Mary accepted the generous gift at a special ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Quincy,
Thank you!
Granite Telecommunications and Parish of the Epiphany, your support for animals means so much to everyone at the ARL.
Parish of the Epiphany: Connecting Young People with Animal Welfare This summer, the Parish of the Epiphany located in Winchester, Massachusetts, decided to fund summer jobs for high school students through the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). The Parish of the Epiphany wanted to provide internships with another mission-based organization — one that would help students learn and grow, while also fostering an appreciation for the needs and well-being of all creatures great and small. With those specifications in mind, the Parish decided to sponsor two high school interns recommended by the PIC at the ARL’s Boston shelter.
All summer, interns Lois Handy
and Vanessa Bordoy, worked alongside shelter staff, learning every aspect of animal care and sheltering. “[Working at the ARL] was a very rewarding experience because I loved working with the animals and I aspire to become a veterinarian someday,” Lois replied excitedly when she was asked about her favorite parts of her summer job. Vanessa appreciated the chance to learn more about the different career options available in animal care and welfare. “I have always wanted to work with animals,” she said. “This summer was a great experience for me [to work] with animals at the ARL. I’m really grateful to be able to use [this experience] to my advantage in the future.”
ARL summer shelter interns Lois Handy and Vanessa Bordoy pictured above with ARL adoptable Tater Tot.
arlboston.org 3
Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL, sitting with Scooby.
10 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore on…. Animal Hoarding – What You Need to Know Animal hoarding is an increasingly frequent and challenging issue cities and towns throughout Massachusetts struggle to address. The ARL has regularly faced the problem for more than 20 years. Earlier in 2014, for example, the ARL responded to one of the largest hoarding situations staff had ever encountered. Partnering with the Lynnfield Police, the Department of Agriculture and the MSPCA-Angell, the ARL’s rescue services team brought out 199 animals — a mix of dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles — from a home in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. We sat down with Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL, to get her insights on the complexities of dealing with animal hoarders. Dr. Smith recently gave a presentation on the topic at the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in Denver, Colorado, and provided her personal experiences managing the emergency response when a hoarding situation reaches a breaking point. OFFF: Can you start by offering a working definition of animal hoarding for those less familiar with the term? Dr. Smith: Sure, and I will draw from the definition provided by the Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium. Animal hoarding is the pathological accumulation of animals, more than the typical number of companion animals. This is coupled with the hoarder’s inability to recognize that they are providing inadequate care. The result is
that animals often have medical and/or behavioral issues resulting from the lack of proper care and nutrition. Animal hoarding is a compulsion, and even if the hoarders recognize their behavior is abnormal, they can’t stop themselves. OFFF: Who are hoarders and why do they hoard animals? Dr. Smith: There are many stereotypes of animal hoarders; people often think of the little old “cat lady.” At the ARL, we have encountered people with an animal hoarding disorder from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and circumstances. A variety of factors and complex psychological conditions can lead to animal hoarding. Whatever the exact cause of hoarding, the important thing to remember is that in every case, both the people and the animals involved desperately need help. Animal hoarding is not a harmless eccentricity — it is a serious animal welfare and public health issue. OFFF: How does the ARL handle cases of animal hoarding?
For more
on this topic, visit arlboston.org/ take-action. of animals. The ARL must provide long-term care and shelter — sometimes for many years — until a criminal case is concluded. OFFF: What should ARL supporters do if they suspect animal hoarding is happening in their community? Dr. Smith: Animal hoarding is not so much about the number of animals involved, it is more about the condition they are kept in. Sometimes a hoarding situation exists when there are only a few animals in the home. Other times there are hundreds of animals involved. In either case, if you are concerned or have suspicions, contact local authorities. Let them confirm if the animals and people involved need assistance.
Dr. Smith: Our goal is always to produce a positive outcome for both the animals and people involved. In many cases, we’re working with local authorities and human services agencies to get an individual help, while providing guidance and support with proper animal care. When a hoarding situation reaches a crisis point, we mobilize an emergency response to spay/neuter, shelter, and care for a large influx
4 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
Senior rescue technician Danielle Genter comforts one of the 199 animals removed from a home in Lynnfield.
Making a Difference for Animals Change Underway at Boston Animal Care and Control
The ARL helped find homes for several animals at the Boston Animal Care and Control facility, including Camilla (left), Tim Howard (top right), and Pringle (bottom right).
What started as a routine visit to the city shelter quickly mobilized into a major push for reform at Boston Animal Care and Control. At the end of June, staff from the ARL went to the City of Boston’s animal shelter facility in Roslindale to evaluate several dogs. Due to criminal charges against their previous owner, the dogs had been held as evidence at the facility for nearly two years while prosecution of the case continued. As soon as the case concluded, Lt. Alan Borgal, director of the ARL’s Center for Animal Protection, immediately turned his attention to getting ARL shelter staff and behaviorists to the City’s shelter to assess the dogs and develop a plan for finding them new homes as quickly as possible. Lt. Borgal’s request was not unusual; the ARL often worked with the
city shelter on the transfer of animals for adoption assistance.
on improving current practices and prioritizing necessary changes.
Yet when ARL staff arrived, they noticed Camilla, one of the dogs from the case, appeared very emaciated with sores on her body. Her condition and other observations made by our staff while at the facility raised so many concerns, ARL’s president Mary Nee brought them to the immediate attention of Mayor Walsh.
In addition to doing the shelter assessment, the ARL also took in 35 animals — including Camilla — from the city shelter in order to help the city better match staffing levels with animal care requirements and did medical exams on over 100 animals. The ARL continues to provide support to the City’s shelter in the form of training, veterinary services, behavior evaluations, and transferring animals to ARL shelters as needed to help them find homes.
Compelled by what the ARL described as a “shelter in crisis,” Mayor Walsh took immediate action. He appointed John Meaney as interim director of Boston Animal Care and Control and requested a team of ARL veterinarians and shelter operations staff conduct a comprehensive on-site assessment of the shelter. He asked that the ARL evaluation provide guidance
Thanks to Mayor Walsh, his staff, and the supporting efforts of ARL colleagues, changes are underway within the Boston Animal Care and Control that will have a positive effect for the animals in Boston now and for many years to come. arlboston.org 5
Triscuit Adopted
A New Home for the Center for Shelter Dogs The Center for Shelter Dogs (CSD) has a new home at the Shelter Medicine Program and Center for Animals and Public Policy at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. CSD began at the ARL 6 years ago with a simple mission: to improve the welfare and successful placement of homeless dogs. By providing resources, training, and scientifically-validated behavior assessment and modification tools, CSD worked to ensure adoptable dogs found homes that matched the personalities and needs of both dog and owner. Thanks to generous funding from the Stanton Foundation, CSD built an impressive body of work, including ground-breaking research on problem behavior, stress and enrichment, and canine personality. From simple treat buckets hanging outside a dog’s kennel to comprehensive behavior evaluation, enrichment, and training — and everything in between — CSD designed programs to help shelters and rescue groups of all sizes, resources,
and expertise, making them accessible to a wide-range of organizations across the country. After this period of remarkable achievement, the ARL recognized that growing and sustaining CSD over the long term would require greater organizational capacity and reach. After a selective search, the Cummings School presented the strongest case to strengthen CSD’s national reputation as an evidencebased resource and in October the ARL transferred the program. “We truly believe this move will enrich both CSD and Cummings School programs, build on past research collaborations, and provide new educational platforms for addressing the welfare and adoptability of shelter dogs,” explained Seana Dowling, executive director of CSD. “We’re particularly excited that the Cummings School’s standing and reach as a leading veterinary academic institution will fuel the national expansion and influence of our research and applied programs.”
The ARL has felt truly
Highlights of CSD Achievements
honored to serve as the incubating organization
An information-rich website viewed by over 45,000 visitors.
for such a tremendous
Educational seminars and institutes reaching more than 3,500 animal welfare practitioners.
animal welfare.
Behavioral assessments of over 15,000 dogs.
Thank You
to the Frank Stanton Foundation for the generous support of the Center for Shelter Dogs. 6 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
asset to the field of CSD’s work has helped more shelter dogs get a chance at a better life. That this work will not only continue, but will also have an even greater impact on the well-being of dogs in the future is exciting and momentous.
Home for the Holidays Middleboro Puppy Tuukka One of the Family Tuukka’s face graced the cover of the Fall 2013 edition of Our FourFooted Friends just a few weeks after his rescue during a drug and weapons raid on a home in Middleboro. One year on, Tuukka’s family describes him as “the biggest cuddlebug ever,” as they celebrated his first birthday with a trip to Petco for gourmet treats, new toys and a goofy birthday hat.
in the home in good condition, the puppies were all filthy, emaciated, and dehydrated.
Police found Tuukka and his 12 brothers and sisters — only just a few weeks old — jammed into a small crate. Though four adult dogs were also found
After several weeks receiving proper care and nutrition with ARL foster volunteers, the puppies returned to the shelters to find their new homes. Tuukka met his family at the ARL’s Dedham shelter.
Thank You
for helping Tuukka, Wally, and thousands of animals just like them experience love and joy this holiday season.
Middleboro Animal Control contacted the ARL for help providing care and shelter to the puppies, and within 24 hours of their discovery, all but one of the rescued pups checked into the three ARL shelters in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham.
According to his new family, Tuukaa is “the biggest love. He needs to be next to someone at all times,” a request they are all too happy to oblige. His rough beginnings far behind him, Tuukka has found a very happy home with many bright days and much love ahead of him.
Then: Tuukka (top) at six weeks of age. Now: Getting kisses from his family (bottom).
Wire-Walking Wally Resting Easy at Home Wally the cat’s life began rather humbly. His mom had given birth to him and his siblings about two years ago outside Bridgewater State Prison, and kept her young family living there. Prisoners and guards who had kindly fed and cared for the family kept a special eye on Wally as he grew from a rambunctious kitten into a particularly curious cat. Good thing they did, too. Though no one is quite sure how he did it, Wally managed to climb 30-40 feet up the prison wall and got himself stuck. For two days, his concerned caretakers watched as Wally walked along the razor wire line. Staff at the prison, the fire department, and animal control officers from Bridgewater and Halifax tried to rescue Wally, but the frightened cat just wedged himself more Wally snuggles with senior rescue technician Danielle Genter.
deeply into the wire, seriously injuring himself in the process. A determined prison maintenance worker finally cornered Wally along the wall and brought him down to Lisa McKay, the animal control officer in Bridgewater. Veterinarians at New England Animal Medical Center determined Wally needed over $3,000 in surgery to repair the damage from his wounds. McKay called the ARL for help. The ARL paid for Wally’s veterinary expenses and brought him to the Boston shelter to complete his recovery. He quickly found a new home. This holiday season, Wally will rest easy with his family. The kindness, compassion, and love so many have shown him throughout his life will continue to carry him through. arlboston.org 7
Record-Breaking Crowd at “Paws in the Park” on Cape Cod Over 1,000 people and hundreds of dogs joined the ARL at Drummer Boy Park in Brewster, Massachusetts, for the ARL’s annual pet festival, Paws in the Park. Thanks to the beautiful weather, enthusiastic crowds, and supporting sponsors and exhibitors, the 2014 event brought in over $18,000 for the Brewster Shelter.
staff, for example, brought adoption information and an adoptable dog to greet the crowd. The ARL’s rescue team helped kids try on ARL rescue ice suits and demonstrated how they get cats out of trees. A few hundred people also took a tour of the ARL’s Spay Waggin’, the organization’s mobile spay/neuter surgery unit.
Presenting sponsor Nauset Pet Services and more than 15 other vendors offered activities, games, information, and products available for sale in the shopping area of Paws in the Park.
“Paws in the Park 2014 exceeded all of our expectations,” raved Mary Nee at the conclusion of the event.
The ARL wanted to make sure all Paws in the Park attendees learned more about the organization and its services on Cape Cod. Brewster shelter
“We wanted to bring the community together to celebrate the relationship between people and their pets and raise money for animals in need on Cape Cod. The terrific turnout, happy faces, and wagging tails made it clear to us the event was a great success on all counts.”
Fun was had by all — animals and people included — at the ARL’s Paws in the Park. 8 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
Save the Date
2 015 Saturday, May 30 Drummer Boy Park, Brewster
ARL Thanks South End Community at Summer Social
To round out the summer, the ARL invited the community to come check out the new digs at the organization’s Boston headquarters. Thanks to support from South End residents, the ARL secured approval to install new K-9 grass in the outdoor dog play yard at the 10 Chandler Street location. The lobby and reception area also received a makeover, including new furniture generously donated by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Over 100 people and dogs came to the fun, casual event. Dogs romped on the new K-9 grass, and pet-friendly people from the neighborhood chatted with ARL staff. Those new to Boston took away information about the ARL’s dog training classes and Boston Veterinary Care, while folks already familiar with the organization left with positive feelings to share with their friends and colleagues.
(Top left) Malcolm McDonald, ARL Board Chair; Greg Sweeney, director of marketing at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams; and Mary Nee. (Top right) Happy summer social-goers and their dog. (Bottom right) YouTube sensation Rhett Price entertained the crowd with his violin throughout the evening.
Put your paws together for…
The beautiful furniture you contributed to our lobby will welcome visitors for years to come.
Thank you. arlboston.org 9
cats
Got
Cats Were On Our Mind In June
?
on your mind
Outdoor billboards along with television and radio public service announcements reminded viewers and listeners that, “when you adopt, you give a cat a chance at a better life.” Advertisements also included the practical benefit of adopting from the ARL: all adoptable animals receive spay/neuter services, vaccinations, and microchipping. Thanks to generous donations from Scotties Facial Tissue and Bob the
Animal shelter locations in Boston, Brewster, and Dedham
-CAT M T-A
TH ON
Because many adopters naturally gravitate to kittens, adult cats often have longer stays in our shelters, especially if they have special needs. To get prospective adopters to consider cats of all ages when adding a feline companion to their family, the ARL launched the “Got Cats on Your Mind” campaign to emphasize all the benefits of bringing home an adult shelter cat.
ADOP
In June, the ARL took up the Adopt-a-Cat month cause to help the many adult cats in our care find homes.
JUNE
Street Cat, the real-life main character in a best-selling book series, the ARL hosted a week-long waived adoption fee event to round out the month. Cityside Subaru also sponsored additional radio advertising to support adoptions and encourage people to go to the ARL during No Fee Adoption Week.
By the end of No Fee Week, 40 adult cats had found safe and loving homes, raising the grand total of cat and kitten adoptions this June to over 190. Several senior and special needs felines (see Madeline’s story, page 11) were among this lucky group.
Special Thanks
to our media partners for helping cats find homes in June! Clear Channel Outdoor, FOX 25, WBOS, WHDH, WZLX, and The Sports Hub
Bark if You Love October! Of course, shelter dogs need their adoption month spotlight, too. National Adopt-a-Dog month falls in October and the ARL took the opportunity to focus on the goofy, fun, and playful side of the dogs in our care. No matter how dogs come to us, shelter staff take the time to get to know each one, especially their favorite toys, treats, and scratching spots. Our dog behaviorists assess every dog and provide an individualized modification plan to address any issues and teach good manners. During playgroup times, staff notes which dogs like to play together and include “favorite play partners” on the dog’s profile displayed on their kennels for potential adopters to review. We’re happy to report during Adopt-a-Dog Month, 61 dogs found new families. 10 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
ARL adoptable Tyson (pictured left) met his new mom in October at the ARL’s Boston shelter. Sandy (pictured right) met her new dad at the ARL’s Brewster shelter.
Our staff in Brewster felt especially happy for Sandy (pictured above right) — she had waited so patiently for a longer-than-average amount of time to find a new home. Sandy could barely contain her excitement — wagging her tail and licking the faces of shelter staff as she said goodbye.
Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories Madeline: Sweet Survivor Cat Now “Princess of the House” Staff at the ARL’s Dedham shelter first met Madeline when a very kind person brought her in after discovering the 8-year-old cat unable to move in the backyard of her home where someone had left her. The fur on Madeline’s hind quarters appeared thickly matted and she couldn’t move her back legs. Her sweet temperament and soft, steady purr touched the hearts of shelter veterinarian Dr. Kate Gollon and all the Dedham staff as they worked to make her comfortable with pain medications and by shaving off nearly four inches of mats over 70% of her body. Even after shelter staff shaved her fur, she couldn’t walk on her very weak back legs. To help Madeline recover her strength and mobility, Dr. Gollon prescribed a regimen of daily physical therapy. Staff gave Madeline time postshave to recuperate and get to know them before carefully and caringly beginning to work with her to get her walking. At first, staff gently moved her back legs for her, three times a day. Gradually, they helped her stand by placing her in a sling to support her weight while getting her up on all
Then: Madeline (at left) came to the ARL’s Dedham shelter with fur so tangled she could barely move. Now: Maddie (at right) is walking well and has a new home.
fours. Once her ability to support herself improved, staff worked with her on walking across the floor and maneuvering changes in elevation. As she grew more steady on her feet, the program for Madeline shifted focus to getting her ready for adoption. Today Maddie, as her new family calls her, is definitely the princess of the house. She is walking well and can climb up and down the stairs in her
new home. Her greatest joy in life at the moment is playing with catnip toys and a fluffy mouse on the end of a string. Her adopters say that “Maddie is a wonderful addition to our family and we love her very much!”
Maddie is getting the royal treatment in her new home.
Thanks to you!
Rugby: Miracle Puppy Loving Life at Home At just 4½ months old, Rugby was cruelly abandoned in the middle of the road in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. His front legs were so severely twisted at the wrists, he could only get around by doing a haphazard crawl. When Dr. Edward Schettino, the ARL’s director of veterinary medical services, examined Rugby at the Boston shelter he concluded the condition of Rugby’s front legs was probably due to poor nutrition and long-term confinement to a very small crate.
Rugby with Dr. Edward Schettino, the director of veterinary medical services at the ARL.
To increase strength in his legs, Rugby began underwater treadmill therapy twice a week thanks to the generous donation of time and services by physical therapists at
Animotion in Stoughton and the ARL’s Dr. Alett Mekler. Within three months, Rugby was walking well enough on his front legs to march with the ARL contingent in the South End’s Pride Parade, where his new family first spotted him. Today, Rugby is loving life at home. He especially enjoys chasing and romping with his older brother Tito.
Rugby can run, jump, and play, just like every puppy should.
Thanks to you!
arlboston.org 11
Walter Kenyon holding ARL adoptable Mia.
The ARL Launches New Leadership Council Taps Walter Kenyon to lead effort The Board of Directors recently approved the formation of the ARL’s Leadership Council. Members of the Council will play a critical role in expanding support for the ARL by rallying their business and social networks in supporting animals in need through a variety of fundraising activities. Long-time ARL supporter Walter Kenyon is leading recruitment efforts for the newly formed council. He expects his 30+ years as a sales executive in the financial services industry will blend well with the objective of the Council: to personally engage new supporters with the ARL’s mission. “After many years in sales, I came to appreciate how motivating the opinion of a respected colleague or friend could be when making a decision about where to invest,” explains Walter. “I believe the same holds true when it comes to supporting a cause or organization. When someone you know and respect says ‘take a look at the difference they are making in the community’ you pay attention and respond.” Walter is working on recruiting 25 to 30 members before the Leadership Council kick-off meeting in early 2015, and more than 20 ARL supporters have already accepted the invitation to join. “This is an exciting time at the ARL,” says Walter. “I am very much looking forward to doing my part to raise the profile of animal welfare in Massachusetts as chair of the Leadership Council.” 12 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
New Volunteer Opportunities at the ARL! Match your skills and interests with your love for animals with new volunteer opportunities available at the ARL. The ARL’s three shelters, Spay Waggin’, and administrative offices often need volunteers to help with everything from animal care to general office support; from staffing special events to working on creative projects. Whether you would like to help feed our shelter animals, train dogs, or apply your accounting or event planning skills, we have numerous and meaningful ways for you to volunteer at the ARL.
Visit arlboston.org/volunteer to learn about available opportunities.
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners! Scotties Facial Tissue
Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar
ARL shelter kittens get hugs from John Robertson, director of marketing at Scotties Facial Tissue, and Mary Nee.
Eastham’s famous Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar generously donated all the proceeds from sales of food, ice cream, and mini-golf on the restaurant’s final weekend of the summer season to the ARL’s Brewster Shelter and Wild Care of Cape Cod.
Scotties Facial Tissue sponsored No Fee Adoption Week the last week of Adopta-Cat Month in June. Thanks to Scottie’s $5,000 donation, the three ARL shelters found homes for 40 adult cats.
Seaport Hotel
ARL volunteer Christopher Tom with ARL adoptable Ringo; WCVB’s Randy Price with his dog Bruin; and Caitlin Oates, manager of the ARL’s President’s Council, with ARL adoptable Sadie.
The Seaport Hotel included the ARL in all of its Canine and Cocktails events, including its end-of-summer shindig with WCVB anchor Randy Price.
arlboston.org 13
Rescue on the Scene… Helping Reunite Victims of Terrible Fire with Pets Thirty people were left homeless after a five-alarm fire decimated a 3½-story, wood-frame duplex in Boston in early October. Determined to reunite the distraught building residents who had just lost everything with their pets, the ARL’s rescue services team and Boston Animal Care and Control (BACC) devised a plan to set humane traps and do daily checks for the cats reported as missing. It took several days. The team searched and set traps inside the building, which senior rescue technician Danielle Genter described as, “a spongey, gray alien universe.” Raccoons kept wandering into the traps, but the team patiently waited and eventually found all four cats.
The ARL’s rescue services team returned to the fire scene one day later and spotted one of the missing cats on the window sill. The cat hid when the team was finally allowed in the building.
Though she was overjoyed to see her cat Snowball safe and sound again, a 99-year-old resident asked the ARL for help finding Snowball a new home.
Evacuating the Last Long Island Residents
ARL Dedham shelter staff have carefully tended to the chickens since their arrival. By all reports the chickens are excellent egg layers.
When City of Boston officials announced they were closing the 3,500-foot bridge Long Island bridge due to safety concerns, they ordered the immediate evacuation of everyone on the island. The 16 chickens who had provided eggs for residents on the island needed extra help relocating.
Lieutenant Alan Borgal, director of the ARL’s Center for Animal Protection, along with BACC and the Mass Department of Agriculture, worked together to get the birds off the island. With help from the Boston Fire Department, the ARL’s rescue team
14 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
corralled the chickens and brought them to the Dedham shelter. The chickens have been cleared for adoption, and continue to provide Dedham staff with wonderful farm-fresh eggs.
Too Hot for Spot! ARL Rescue Team and Boston Fire Department join forces to educate public
Rescue services manager Brian O’Connor (foreground) and assistant manager Mike Brammer locked themselves in a parked car on an 85 degree day to demonstrate the dangers of leaving a pet in a parked car.
The hot blast of summer may seem long behind us now, but in July and August when temperatures sizzled, the ARL wanted to help dog owners keep their canine companions healthy and safe in the heat. In July, the ARL launched the “Too Hot for Spot” campaign to offer pet safety tips throughout the summer. The campaign particularly emphasized the dangers of keeping dogs in parked cars in the heat.
Firefighters from Station 7 joined the ARL’s rescue services team to film a short pet safety video for the ARL’s “Too Hot For Spot” campaign. The crew instantly took to ARL adoptables Shepard (dog at left) and Zelda (dog at right).
Through radio, print, and billboard advertising, the 8-week campaign reminded the public to keep their dog at home when heading out to do errands or other quick trips. To help spread this important safety message further, the ARL distributed “Too Hot for Spot” car magnets to the public at all three shelters and events throughout the summer. Because they often collaborate in emergency situations involving pets in parked cars, the ARL’s rescue team and
the Boston Fire Department worked together to produce a video describing what happens to pets and cars when outside intervention becomes necessary. The video demonstrated how quickly dogs begin to feel effects of heat stroke because they do not sweat the way people do. “Even though people intend to do a quick errand, we know things happen and suddenly 15 minutes can turn into a half an hour or 45 minutes,” explained Brian O’Connor, the ARL’s rescue services manager. “In that amount of time, an animal can become extremely compromised by the heat.”
To learn more about the ARL’s summer pet safety campaign and watch the “Too Hot for Spot” video, visit arlboston.org/ summer-safety Learn more at arlboston.org/homeforholidays
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ARL Launches Fall Lecture for President’s Council Members Inaugural event focused on “the link” In recognition of their strong support for the mission of the organization, the ARL invited members of the President’s Council donor group to a fall lecture on the serious topic of animal cruelty prevention.
communication among agencies is key to breaking the cycle of violence, and presented several examples of crossagency domestic violence awareness campaigns which have incorporated pets into the message.
Thanks to generous support from the Susannah A. Knight Law Enforcement Fund, the 2014 lecture featured guest presenter Phil Arkow, a noted speaker within the animal welfare field on the connection between animal abuse and human violence. Arkow cofounded The National Link Coalition in an effort to bring attention to what he believes is a critical public safety issue.
During the audience discussion following Arkow’s presentation, Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL, reiterated that breaking the cycle of violence, protecting animals, and creating a safer, more humane world to live in has to be a priority for the entire community.
“We can prevent animal abuse and other forms of family violence by paying more attention to animal abuse as a potential indicator and predictor of crime,” Arkow said in the opening minutes of his presentation. “What we do to prevent, prosecute, and punish animal cruelty are just as beneficial to Man — and Woman — as they are to Man’s Best Friend.” Citing evidence from a variety of sources compiled over the course of several decades, Arkow made the case for taking a collaborative approach to cruelty prevention, one that cuts across law enforcement, human services, and animal welfare. He maintained that
Phil Arkow, co-founder of The National Link Coalition, presented informative research to members of the ARL’s President’s Council.
“We all need to think about how to share the message that helping animals is really helping people and helping to improve society.” The fall lecture is one of many benefits the ARL offers to President’s Council members to thank, inform, and engage the organization’s most generous and loyal supporters. The Council is a group of dedicated individuals who donate annual leadership gifts of $1000 and above.
To learn more about the President’s Council, visit arlboston.org/ presidents-council.
Special guests Indy (lower left) and Kara Hayes, director of victim witness assistance for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, joined Mary Nee for a photo at the conclusion of the ARL’s Fall Lecture.
Thank You
to the Susannah A. Knight Law Enforcement Fund for sponsoring the 2014 President’s Council Fall Lecture.
Great Results from the ARL’s Falmouth Road Race Team Fourteen animal-loving runners joined the ARL’s 2014 Falmouth Road Race team, raising over $24,000 for the ARL. Pictured at the post-race thank you reception hosted by the ARL are (from left to right): Mary Nee, president of the ARL; Caitlyn Landry; Logan Sheehan; Melissa King; Amanda Lilley; Mal Malme; and Kimberly Sweeney.
16 Our Four-Footed Friends | Fall/Winter 2014
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Thank You Granite Telecommunications From everyone at the Animal Rescue League of Boston to all the employees at Granite Telecommunications, thank you! Your generous donation will give animals like Rylee a chance at a better life.
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