ARL Our Four-Footed Friends Fall/Winter 2014

FriendsOUR FOUR-FOOTED

and how you help themFall/Winter 2014

Pushing for Reform in Boston Animal Hoarding:What You Need to Know

HappyTails

Rugby and Madeline’s

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:

• EmergencyRescueTeam

• Anti-CrueltyLawEnforcement

• HumaneEducation

• AdoptionCenters(Boston,Dedham,&Brewster)

• VeterinaryServices

• SpayWaggin’(LowCostSpay&Neutering)

• PineRidgePetCemetery

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 is a publication of the Animal Rescue LeagueofBoston,10ChandlerStreet,Boston,MA02116.Pleaseaddress all editorial and subscription correspondence to us at the address above,attentionOur Four-Footed FriendsManagingEditor.

——————————————VO LUME 1 1 6——————————————

Managing Editor: AmiBowen

Contributing Writers: AmiBowenElizabethDobrskaMaryNee

Contributing Photographers: ChristineS.BartonThe Boston GlobeColdNosePhotographyElizabethDobrskaDanielleGenterAmeliaHughesRachaelMottMariaL.UribeEllenWallet

Our Four-Footed Friends |Fall/Winter2014

Our Mission

ON THE COVER:Areal-lifemiraclepuppy,Rugbyrecoveredfromaseverelegdeformityandgotachanceatabetterlife.

ChocoAdopted

F

Contents

SusyAdopted

2Message from the President:Bringing it Home for the Holidays

3Going Above and Beyond

410 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore

5Making a Difference for Animals

6A New Home for the Center for Shelter Dogs

7Home for the Holidays

8Record-breaking Crowd at “Paws in the Park”

9ARL Thanks Community at Summer Social

10Cats Were On Our Mind In June—Bark if You Love October!

11Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories

12The ARL Launches New Leadership Council

13Thank You to Our Corporate Partners!

14Rescue on the Scene…

15Too Hot for Spot!

16ARL Launches Fall Lecture for President’s Council Members

Save a life. Donate today! 617.426.9170 x615

arlboston.org/donate

use enclosed envelope

arlboston.org1

2 Our Four-Footed Friends |Fall/Winter2014

Message from the PresidentBringing it Home for the Holidays

protectionprevention positive outcomes

You make all of our work possible...

Cruelty prevention, law enforcement, and emergency rescue

Accessible spay/neuter services and vaccination clinics

Adoption, shelter medicine, dog training, and veterinary care

sanativeBostonian,Iam blessedtohavemyextendedfamilylivingintheareaand

weareeasilyabletocometogether tocelebratetheholidays. EachyearIwatchthenews reportsofstrandedtravelersand think,Iwouldnevertravelduringthesebusytimes.Yetassoonasthisthoughtentersmymind,anothermore powerful one comes forward — an appreciation for the deep human desiretobewithlovedonesandforthe lengths people will go to be home fortheholidays. Justlikeus,theanimalsthatarriveatourdoorsfromemergencyrescues,lawenforcementinvestigations,andownersurrendershaveadeepdesiretobewithlovinghumancompanions. Inthespiritoftogetherness,our end-of-the-year“HomefortheHolidays”campaignencourages

adoption and support for homeless animals.Ourbiggestwishfortheholidayseasonistobringtogethertheanimalsinourcarewithindividualswilling to open their hearts to a shelterpet. Ofcourse,helpinganimalsinneedalso goes on outside the four walls of ourshelter,too.Inmid-November,thePAWSacttookeffect.InspiredbyPuppyDoe,the law increases penalties for animal abuse,requiresveterinarianstoreportabuse,andformsataskforcetocomprehensivelyreviewallanimal-relatedlawsinMassachusetts.TheARLwillserveonthetaskforcewhenitconvenesin2015. Tohelpourselvesandothercontributorstothetaskforceprepare,weorganizedaseminarformembersoftheanimalwelfare,humanservices,andlaw enforcement communities to hear PhilArkow,anotedspeakerandanimalwelfareadvocate,giveatalkabouttheresearch he has collected regarding the linkbetweenanimalcrueltyandotherformsofcommunityviolence. WealsocontinuetoworkwiththeCityofBostononreformofthecity’sAnimalCareandControldepartment.WebelievechangesareunderwaynowwhichwillhaveanimmediatepositiveeffectfortheanimalsinBostonand other animal control facilities throughoutthestate. Noneofthesethingswouldbehappeningwithoutyou.

Likemanynon-profitorganizations,amajorportionofourpublic support comes in at the end oftheyear.Itisafrustratingfactofbusinessandaddssignificanturgencytotheworkwearedoinginoursheltersandonthestreets. AsyoureadthiseditionofOur Four-Footed Friends,Ineedyoutothinkabout the animals described in the articlesandfeaturedinthepictures. Thinkaboutthe199dogs,cats,birds, and reptiles rescued from the houseinLynnfieldinFebruaryasyoureadDr.Smith’sQ&Aonhoarding. ThinkaboutMadelineand Rugby,acatanddogwhocameto oursheltersunabletowalk. Thinkaboutthefrightenedcatswhoescapedfromafive-alarmfirenow safe after our rescue team helped bringthembacktosafety. ThenIneedyoutoonceagainexpressyourloveofanimals,compassion,andkindnessbygiving totheAnimalRescueLeagueofBoston. Thankyouforallthatyoudoforanimalsinneed—andhappyholidaystoyouandtheanimalsinyourlife.

Sincerely,

MaryNeePresident

A

Mary Nee, president of the ARL, with ARL adoptable Rylee.

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Going Above and BeyondGranite Telecommunications: Celebrating a Major Milestone with a Major Gift

Thank you! Granite Telecommunications and Parish of the Epiphany,

your support for animals means so much to everyone at the ARL.

InSeptember,ARLpresident MaryNeeacceptedthelargestcorporategiftintheorganization’shistory:adonationof$163,000 fromGraniteTelecommunications, aproviderofvoice,data,networking,andothercommunicationsservices. Granite’sCEORobHaledecidedtocelebratehitting$1billioninannualizedrevenuesbydonating$1millionacrossfivecharitableorganizations.HeaskedGranite’s1200employeestonominatecharitiesthat“makeadifference”tothecommunity

andmorethan75organizationsreceivednominations.Hale’steamnarrowedthelisttofiveandaskedemployeestovoteonhowtospreadthe$1millionacrossthefinalists. “WhileGraniteasacompany isveryproudtoreachthisbillion-dollarachievement,weareevenprouderofouremployeesastheyembracethespiritofgivingbackto thecommunity,”explainedHale. AsMaryacceptedthegenerousgiftataspecialceremonyatthecompany’sheadquartersinQuincy,

Massachusetts,sheintroducedRylee,anadoptableChihuahuafromtheARL’sBostonshelter,asa“real-lifeexampleofananimalwhowillhaveachanceatabetterlife,thankstoyou.” TheaudiencecheeredasMr.Haleannouncedthathewouldgive$1,000tothepersonwhoadoptedRyleetocoverheradoptionfeeandinitialcare.Thankstohisencouragement,aGraniteemployeebroughtRyleehomeafewdayslater.Byallreports,she has been a most welcome addition tohernewfamily.

Parish of the Epiphany: Connecting Young People with Animal Welfare Thissummer,theParishoftheEpiphanylocatedinWinchester,Massachusetts,decidedtofund summerjobsforhighschoolstudentsthroughtheBostonPrivateIndustryCouncil(PIC). TheParishoftheEpiphany wantedtoprovideinternshipswithanothermission-basedorganization— one that would help students learn and grow, while also fostering an appreciation for the needs and well-beingofallcreaturesgreatandsmall.Withthosespecificationsinmind,theParishdecidedtosponsortwo high school interns recommended bythePICattheARL’sBostonshelter. Allsummer,internsLoisHandy

andVanessaBordoy,workedalongsideshelterstaff,learningeveryaspectofanimalcareandsheltering. “[WorkingattheARL]wasa veryrewardingexperiencebecauseIlovedworkingwiththeanimalsandIaspiretobecomeaveterinariansomeday,”Loisrepliedexcitedlywhenshewasaskedaboutherfavoriteparts ofhersummerjob. Vanessaappreciatedthechancetolearnmoreaboutthedifferentcareeroptionsavailableinanimalcareandwelfare.“Ihavealwayswantedtoworkwithanimals,”shesaid.“Thissummerwasagreatexperienceforme[towork]withanimalsattheARL.I’mreallygratefultobeabletouse[thisexperience]tomyadvantageinthefuture.”

ARL summer shelter interns Lois Handy and Vanessa Bordoy pictured above with ARL adoptable Tater Tot.

(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.


Animalhoardingisanincreasinglyfrequent and challenging issue cities andtownsthroughoutMassachusettsstruggletoaddress.

TheARLhasregularlyfacedtheproblemformorethan20years.Earlierin2014,forexample,theARL responded to one of the largest hoardingsituationsstaffhadeverencountered.PartneringwiththeLynnfieldPolice,theDepartmentofAgricultureandtheMSPCA-Angell,theARL’srescueservicesteambroughtout199animals—amixofdogs,cats,birds, and reptiles — from a home in Lynnfield,Massachusetts.

WesatdownwithDr.MarthaSmith-Blackmore,vicepresidentofanimal welfare at the ARL, to get her insightsonthecomplexitiesofdealingwithanimalhoarders.

Dr.Smithrecentlygaveapresentation on the topic at the AmericanVeterinaryMedicalAssociationconferenceinDenver,Colorado,andprovidedherpersonalexperiencesmanagingtheemergencyresponse when a hoarding situation reachesabreakingpoint.

OFFF: Can you start by offering a working definition of animal hoarding for those less familiar with the term?

Dr. Smith: Sure,andIwilldrawfromthedefinitionprovidedbytheHoardingofAnimalsResearchConsortium.Animal hoarding is the pathological accumulation of animals, more than the typicalnumberofcompanionanimals.Thisiscoupledwiththehoarder’sinabilitytorecognizethattheyareprovidinginadequatecare.Theresultis

thatanimalsoftenhavemedicaland/orbehavioralissuesresultingfromthelackofpropercareandnutrition.Animalhoardingisacompulsion,andevenifthehoardersrecognizetheirbehaviorisabnormal,theycan’tstopthemselves.

OFFF: Who are hoarders and why do they hoard animals?

Dr. Smith: Therearemanystereotypesof animal hoarders; people often thinkofthelittleold“catlady.” AttheARL,wehaveencounteredpeople with an animal hoarding disorderfromavarietyofbackgrounds,ages,andcircumstances.

Avarietyoffactorsandcomplexpsychologicalconditionscanleadtoanimalhoarding.Whatevertheexactcause of hoarding, the important thing torememberisthatineverycase,boththepeopleandtheanimalsinvolveddesperatelyneedhelp.Animalhoardingisnotaharmlesseccentricity—itisa serious animal welfare and public healthissue.

OFFF: How does the ARL handle cases of animal hoarding?

Dr. Smith: Ourgoalisalwaystoproduceapositiveoutcomeforboththeanimalsandpeopleinvolved.

Inmanycases,we’reworkingwithlocalauthoritiesandhumanservicesagenciestogetanindividualhelp,whileprovidingguidanceandsupportwithproperanimalcare.

Whenahoardingsituationreachesacrisispoint,wemobilizeanemergencyresponsetospay/neuter,shelter,andcareforalargeinflux

ofanimals.TheARLmustprovidelong-termcareandshelter—sometimesformanyyears—until acriminalcaseisconcluded.

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 animalsinvolved,itismoreabouttheconditiontheyarekeptin.Sometimesahoardingsituationexistswhenthereareonlyafewanimalsinthehome.Othertimestherearehundredsofanimalsinvolved.Ineithercase,ifyouareconcernedorhavesuspicions,contactlocalauthorities.Letthemconfirmiftheanimalsandpeopleinvolvedneedassistance.

10 Minutes with Dr. Smith-Blackmore on….

Animal Hoarding – What You Need to Know

Senior rescue technician Danielle Genter comforts one of the 199 animals removed from a home in Lynnfield.

For more on this topic, visit

arlboston.org/take-action.

Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, vice president of animal welfare at the ARL, sitting with Scooby.

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Making a Difference for AnimalsChange Underway at Boston Animal Care and Control

onimprovingcurrentpracticesandprioritizingnecessarychanges.

Inadditiontodoingtheshelterassessment,theARLalsotookin35animals—includingCamilla—fromthecityshelterinordertohelpthecitybettermatchstaffinglevelswithanimal care requirements and did medicalexamsonover100animals.TheARLcontinuestoprovidesupporttotheCity’sshelterintheformoftraining,veterinaryservices,behaviorevaluations,andtransferringanimalsto ARL shelters as needed to help them findhomes.

ThankstoMayorWalsh,hisstaff,andthesupportingeffortsofARLcolleagues,changesareunderwaywithintheBostonAnimalCareandControlthatwillhaveapositiveeffectfortheanimalsinBostonnowandformanyyearstocome.

WhatstartedasaroutinevisittothecityshelterquicklymobilizedintoamajorpushforreformatBostonAnimalCareandControl.

AttheendofJune,stafffromtheARLwenttotheCityofBoston’sanimalshelterfacilityinRoslindaletoevaluateseveraldogs.Duetocriminalchargesagainsttheirpreviousowner,thedogshadbeenheldasevidenceatthefacilityfornearlytwoyearswhileprosecutionofthecasecontinued.

As soon as the case concluded, Lt.AlanBorgal,directoroftheARL’sCenterforAnimalProtection,immediatelyturnedhisattentiontogettingARLshelterstaffandbehavioriststotheCity’ssheltertoassessthedogsanddevelopaplanforfindingthemnewhomesasquicklyaspossible.Lt.Borgal’srequestwasnotunusual;theARLoftenworkedwiththe

cityshelteronthetransferofanimalsforadoptionassistance.

YetwhenARLstaffarrived,theynoticedCamilla,oneofthedogsfromthecase,appearedveryemaciatedwithsoresonherbody.Herconditionandotherobservationsmadebyourstaffwhileatthefacilityraisedsomanyconcerns,ARL’spresidentMaryNeebroughtthemtotheimmediateattentionofMayorWalsh.

CompelledbywhattheARLdescribedasa“shelterincrisis,” MayorWalshtookimmediate action.HeappointedJohnMeaney asinterimdirectorofBostonAnimalCareandControlandrequestedateamofARLveterinariansandshelteroperationsstaffconductacomprehensiveon-siteassessmentoftheshelter.HeaskedthattheARLevaluationprovideguidance

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).


TheCenterforShelterDogs(CSD)hasanewhomeattheShelterMedicineProgramandCenterforAnimalsandPublicPolicyatCummingsSchoolofVeterinaryMedicineatTuftsUniversity. CSDbeganattheARL6yearsagowithasimplemission:toimprovethewelfare and successful placement of homelessdogs.Byprovidingresources,training,andscientifically-validatedbehaviorassessmentandmodificationtools,CSDworkedtoensureadoptabledogs found homes that matched the personalities and needs of both dog andowner. ThankstogenerousfundingfromtheStantonFoundation,CSDbuiltanimpressivebodyofwork,includingground-breakingresearchonproblembehavior,stressandenrichment,andcaninepersonality. Fromsimpletreatbucketshangingoutsideadog’skenneltocomprehensivebehaviorevaluation,enrichment,andtraining—andeverythinginbetween—CSDdesignedprogramstohelpsheltersandrescuegroupsofallsizes,resources,

andexpertise,makingthemaccessibletoawide-rangeoforganizationsacrossthecountry. Afterthisperiodofremarkableachievement,theARLrecognizedthatgrowingandsustainingCSDoverthe long term would require greater organizationalcapacityandreach. Afteraselectivesearch,theCummingsSchoolpresentedthestrongestcasetostrengthenCSD’snationalreputationasanevidence-basedresourceandinOctobertheARLtransferredtheprogram. “WetrulybelievethismovewillenrichbothCSDandCummingsSchoolprograms,buildonpastresearchcollaborations,andprovidenew educational platforms for addressingthewelfareandadoptabilityofshelterdogs,”explainedSeanaDowling,executivedirectorofCSD. “We’reparticularlyexcitedthattheCummingsSchool’sstandingandreachasaleadingveterinaryacademicinstitution will fuel the national expansionandinfluenceofourresearchandappliedprograms.”

The ARL has felt truly honored to serve as the incubating organization for such a tremendous asset to the field of animal welfare.

CSD’sworkhashelpedmoreshelter dogs get a chance at a better life.Thatthisworkwillnotonlycontinue,butwillalsohaveanevengreaterimpactonthewell-being ofdogsinthefutureisexciting andmomentous.

A New Home for the Center for Shelter Dogs

Thank You to the Frank Stanton Foundation for the

generous support of the Center for Shelter Dogs.

Highlights of CSD AchievementsAn information-rich website viewed by over 45,000 visitors.

Educational seminars and institutes reaching more than 3,500 animal welfare practitioners.

Behavioral assessments of over 15,000 dogs.

TriscuitAdopted

Wallythecat’slifebeganratherhumbly.HismomhadgivenbirthtohimandhissiblingsabouttwoyearsagooutsideBridgewaterStatePrison,andkeptheryoungfamilylivingthere.PrisonersandguardswhohadkindlyfedandcaredforthefamilykeptaspecialeyeonWallyashegrewfromarambunctiouskittenintoaparticularlycuriouscat. Goodthingtheydid,too.Thoughnooneisquitesurehowhedidit,Wallymanagedtoclimb30-40feetuptheprisonwallandgothimselfstuck. Fortwodays,hisconcernedcaretakerswatchedasWallywalkedalongtherazorwireline.Staffattheprison,thefiredepartment,andanimalcontrolofficersfromBridgewaterandHalifaxtriedtorescueWally,butthefrightenedcatjustwedgedhimselfmore

deeplyintothewire,seriouslyinjuringhimselfintheprocess. A determined prison maintenance workerfinallycorneredWallyalongthe wall and brought him down to LisaMcKay,theanimalcontrolofficerinBridgewater.VeterinariansatNewEnglandAnimalMedicalCenterdeterminedWallyneededover$3,000insurgerytorepairthedamagefromhiswounds. McKaycalledtheARLforhelp.TheARLpaidforWally’sveterinaryexpensesandbroughthimtotheBostonsheltertocompletehisrecovery.Hequicklyfoundanewhome. Thisholidayseason,Wallywillresteasywithhisfamily.Thekindness,compassion,andlovesomanyhaveshown him throughout his life will continuetocarryhimthrough.

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Tuukka’sfacegracedthecoveroftheFall2013editionofOur Four-Footed Friends justafewweeksafterhis rescue during a drug and weapons raidonahomeinMiddleboro.Oneyearon,Tuukka’sfamilydescribeshimas“thebiggestcuddlebugever,”astheycelebratedhisfirstbirthdaywithatriptoPetcoforgourmettreats,newtoysandagoofybirthdayhat. PolicefoundTuukkaandhis12brothersandsisters—onlyjustafewweeksold—jammedintoasmallcrate.Though four adult dogs were also found

in the home in good condition, the puppieswereallfilthy,emaciated,anddehydrated. MiddleboroAnimalControlcontactedtheARLforhelpprovidingcare and shelter to the puppies, and within24hoursoftheirdiscovery,allbutoneoftherescuedpupscheckedintothethreeARLsheltersinBoston,Brewster,andDedham. Afterseveralweeksreceivingproper care and nutrition with ARL fostervolunteers,thepuppiesreturnedtotheshelterstofindtheirnewhomes.TuukkamethisfamilyattheARL’sDedhamshelter. Accordingtohisnewfamily,Tuukaais“thebiggestlove.Heneedstobenexttosomeoneatalltimes,”arequesttheyarealltoohappytooblige. Hisroughbeginningsfarbehindhim,Tuukkahasfoundaveryhappyhomewithmanybrightdaysandmuchloveaheadofhim.

Home for the HolidaysMiddleboro Puppy Tuukka One of the Family

Thank You for helping Tuukka, Wally, and thousands of animals just like them experience

love and joy this holiday season.

Wire-Walking Wally Resting Easy at Home

Then: Tuukka (top) at six weeks of age.Now: Getting kisses from his family (bottom).

Wally snuggles with senior rescue technician Danielle Genter.


Over1,000peopleandhundredsofdogsjoinedtheARLatDrummerBoyParkinBrewster,Massachusetts,fortheARL’sannualpetfestival,PawsinthePark.Thankstothebeautifulweather,enthusiastic crowds, and supporting sponsorsandexhibitors,the2014eventbroughtinover$18,000fortheBrewsterShelter. PresentingsponsorNausetPetServicesandmorethan15othervendorsofferedactivities,games,information,andproductsavailable forsaleintheshoppingareaofPaws inthePark. TheARLwantedtomakesure allPawsintheParkattendeeslearnedmoreabouttheorganizationanditsservicesonCapeCod.Brewstershelter

staff,forexample,broughtadoptioninformation and an adoptable dog to greetthecrowd.TheARL’srescueteamhelpedkidstryonARLrescueicesuitsanddemonstratedhowtheygetcats outoftrees.AfewhundredpeoplealsotookatouroftheARL’sSpayWaggin’, theorganization’smobilespay/neutersurgeryunit. “PawsinthePark2014exceeded allofourexpectations,”ravedMaryNee attheconclusionoftheevent. “Wewantedtobringthecommunitytogether to celebrate the relationship between people and their pets and raise moneyforanimalsinneedonCapeCod.Theterrificturnout,happyfaces,andwaggingtailsmadeitcleartoustheeventwasagreatsuccessonallcounts.”

Record-Breaking Crowd at “Paws in the Park” on Cape Cod

SAvE ThE DATE

2 015Saturday, May 30

Drummer Boy Park,Brewster

Fun was had by all — animals and people included — at the ARL’s Paws in the Park.

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Toroundoutthesummer,theARLinvitedthecommunitytocomecheckoutthenewdigsattheorganization’sBostonheadquarters. ThankstosupportfromSouthEndresidents,theARLsecuredapprovaltoinstallnewK-9grassintheoutdoordogplayyardatthe10ChandlerStreetlocation.Thelobbyandreceptionareaalsoreceivedamakeover,includingnewfurnituregenerouslydonatedbyMitchellGold+BobWilliams. Over100peopleanddogscametothefun,casualevent.DogsrompedonthenewK-9grass,andpet-friendlypeoplefromtheneighborhoodchattedwithARLstaff. ThosenewtoBostontookawayinformationabouttheARL’sdogtrainingclassesandBostonVeterinaryCare,whilefolksalreadyfamiliarwiththeorganizationleftwithpositivefeelingstosharewiththeirfriendsandcolleagues.

ARL Thanks South End Community at Summer Social

(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.

The beautiful furniture you contributed to our lobby will welcome visitors for years to come.

Thank you.

Put your paws together for…


InJune,theARLtookuptheAdopt-a-Catmonthcausetohelpthemanyadultcatsinourcarefindhomes. Becausemanyadoptersnaturallygravitatetokittens,adultcatsoften havelongerstaysinourshelters,especiallyiftheyhavespecialneeds. Togetprospectiveadopterstoconsidercats of all ages when adding a feline companiontotheirfamily,theARLlaunchedthe“GotCatsonYourMind”campaigntoemphasizeallthebenefitsofbringinghomeanadultsheltercat. Outdoorbillboardsalongwithtelevisionandradiopublicserviceannouncementsremindedviewersandlistenersthat,“whenyouadopt,yougiveacatachanceatabetterlife.”AdvertisementsalsoincludedthepracticalbenefitofadoptingfromtheARL:alladoptableanimalsreceivespay/neuterservices,vaccinations, andmicrochipping. ThankstogenerousdonationsfromScottiesFacialTissueandBobthe

StreetCat,thereal-lifemaincharacterinabest-sellingbookseries,theARLhostedaweek-longwaivedadoptionfeeeventtoroundoutthemonth.CitysideSubarualsosponsoredadditionalradioadvertisingtosupportadoptionsandencourage people to go to the ARL duringNoFeeAdoptionWeek.

BytheendofNoFeeWeek,40adultcatshadfoundsafeandlovinghomes, raising the grand total of cat and kittenadoptionsthisJunetoover190.Severalseniorandspecialneedsfelines(see Madeline’s story, page 11) were amongthisluckygroup.

Cats Were On Our Mind In June

Bark if You Love October! Ofcourse,shelterdogsneedtheiradoptionmonthspotlight,too.NationalAdopt-a-DogmonthfallsinOctoberandtheARLtooktheopportunitytofocusonthegoofy,fun,andplayfulsideofthedogsinourcare. Nomatterhowdogscometous,shelterstafftakethetimetogettoknoweachone,especiallytheirfavoritetoys,treats,andscratchingspots.Ourdogbehavioristsassesseverydogandprovideanindividualizedmodification plantoaddressanyissuesandteachgoodmanners. Duringplaygrouptimes,staffnoteswhichdogslike toplaytogetherandinclude“favoriteplaypartners”on thedog’sprofiledisplayedontheirkennelsforpotentialadopterstoreview. We’rehappytoreportduringAdopt-a-DogMonth, 61dogsfoundnewfamilies.

OurstaffinBrewsterfeltespeciallyhappyforSandy (pictured above right)—shehadwaitedsopatiently foralonger-than-averageamountoftimetofindanewhome.Sandycouldbarelycontainherexcitement— wagginghertailandlickingthefacesofshelterstaffas shesaidgoodbye.

Animal shelter locations in Boston,

Brewster, and Dedham

AD

OPT-A-CAT MONTHJUNE

Got on your mindcats ?

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

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.

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StaffattheARL’sDedhamshelterfirstmetMadelinewhenaverykindpersonbroughtherinafterdiscoveringthe8-year-oldcatunabletomoveinthebackyardofherhomewheresomeonehadlefther.ThefuronMadeline’shindquartersappearedthicklymattedandshecouldn’tmoveherbacklegs. Hersweettemperamentandsoft,steadypurrtouchedtheheartsofshelterveterinarianDr.KateGollonandalltheDedhamstaffastheyworkedtomakehercomfortablewithpainmedicationsandbyshavingoffnearlyfourinchesofmatsover70%ofherbody.Evenaftershelterstaffshavedherfur,shecouldn’twalkonherveryweakbacklegs. TohelpMadelinerecoverherstrengthandmobility,Dr.Gollonprescribedaregimenofdailyphysicaltherapy.StaffgaveMadelinetimepost-shavetorecuperateandgettoknowthembeforecarefullyandcaringlybeginningtoworkwithhertoget herwalking. Atfirst,staffgentlymovedherbacklegsforher,threetimesaday.Gradually,theyhelpedherstandbyplacing her in a sling to support her weight while getting her up on all

fours.Onceherabilitytosupportherselfimproved,staffworkedwithheronwalkingacrossthefloorandmaneuveringchangesinelevation. Asshegrewmoresteadyonherfeet,theprogramforMadelineshiftedfocustogettingherreadyforadoption. TodayMaddie,ashernewfamilycallsher,isdefinitelytheprincessofthehouse.Sheiswalkingwellandcanclimb up and down the stairs in her

newhome.Hergreatestjoyinlifeatthemomentisplayingwithcatniptoysandafluffymouseontheendofastring.Heradopterssaythat“Maddieisawonderfuladditiontoourfamilyandweloveherverymuch!”

Warm and Fuzzy Success Stories Madeline: Sweet Survivor Cat Now “Princess of the House”

Atjust4½monthsold,RugbywascruellyabandonedinthemiddleoftheroadinFitchburg,Massachusetts.Hisfrontlegsweresoseverelytwistedatthewrists,hecouldonlygetaroundbydoingahaphazardcrawl. WhenDr.EdwardSchettino,theARL’sdirectorofveterinarymedicalservices,examinedRugbyattheBostonshelter he concluded the condition ofRugby’sfrontlegswasprobablyduetopoornutritionandlong-termconfinementtoaverysmallcrate. Toincreasestrengthinhislegs,Rugbybeganunderwatertreadmilltherapytwiceaweekthankstothegenerous donation of time and servicesbyphysicaltherapistsat

AnimotioninStoughtonandthe ARL’sDr.AlettMekler. Withinthreemonths,Rugbywaswalkingwellenoughonhisfrontlegsto march with the ARL contingent in theSouthEnd’sPrideParade,wherehisnewfamilyfirstspottedhim. Today,Rugbyislovinglifeathome.HeespeciallyenjoyschasingandrompingwithhisolderbrotherTito.

Rugby: Miracle Puppy Loving Life at Home

Maddie is getting the royal treatment in her new home.

Thanks to you!

Rugby can run, jump, and play, just like every

puppy should.

Thanks to you!

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.

Rugby with Dr. Edward Schettino, the director of veterinary medical services at the ARL.


The ARL Launches New Leadership CouncilTaps Walter Kenyon to lead effort TheBoardofDirectorsrecentlyapprovedtheformationoftheARL’sLeadershipCouncil.MembersoftheCouncilwillplayacriticalroleinexpandingsupportfortheARLbyrallyingtheirbusinessandsocialnetworksinsupportinganimalsinneedthroughavarietyoffundraisingactivities.

Long-timeARLsupporterWalterKenyonisleadingrecruitmenteffortsforthenewlyformedcouncil.Heexpectshis30+yearsasasalesexecutiveinthefinancialservicesindustrywillblendwellwiththeobjectiveoftheCouncil:topersonallyengagenewsupporterswiththeARL’smission.

“Aftermanyyearsinsales,Icametoappreciatehowmotivatingtheopinionofarespectedcolleagueorfriendcouldbewhenmakingadecisionaboutwheretoinvest,”explainsWalter.

“Ibelievethesameholdstruewhenitcomestosupportingacauseororganization.Whensomeoneyouknowandrespectsays‘takealookatthedifferencetheyaremakinginthecommunity’youpayattentionandrespond.”

Walterisworkingonrecruiting25to30membersbeforetheLeadershipCouncilkick-offmeetinginearly2015,andmorethan20ARLsupportershavealreadyacceptedtheinvitationtojoin.

“ThisisanexcitingtimeattheARL,”saysWalter. “Iamverymuchlookingforwardtodoingmyparttoraise theprofileofanimalwelfareinMassachusettsaschairof theLeadershipCouncil.”

New Volunteer Opportunities

at the ARL! MatchyourskillsandinterestswithyourloveforanimalswithnewvolunteeropportunitiesavailableattheARL.

TheARL’sthreeshelters,SpayWaggin’,andadministrativeofficesoftenneedvolunteerstohelpwitheverythingfromanimalcaretogeneralofficesupport;fromstaffingspecialeventstoworkingoncreativeprojects.

Whetheryouwouldliketohelpfeedourshelteranimals,traindogs,orapplyyouraccountingoreventplanningskills,wehavenumerousandmeaningfulwaysforyoutovolunteerattheARL.

visit arlboston.org/volunteer to learn about available

opportunities.

Walter Kenyon holding ARL adoptable Mia.

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Thank You to Our Corporate Partners!

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.

TheSeaportHotelincludedtheARLinallofitsCanineandCocktailsevents,includingitsend-of-summershindigwithWCVBanchorRandyPrice.

ARL shelter kittens get hugs from John Robertson, director of marketing at Scotties Facial Tissue, and Mary Nee.

ScottiesFacialTissuesponsoredNoFeeAdoptionWeekthelastweekofAdopt-a-CatMonthinJune.ThankstoScottie’s$5,000donation,thethreeARLsheltersfoundhomesfor40adultcats.

Eastham’sfamousArnold’sLobsterandClamBargenerouslydonatedalltheproceeds from sales of food, ice cream, andmini-golfontherestaurant’sfinalweekendofthesummerseasontotheARL’sBrewsterShelterandWildCareofCapeCod.

Scotties Facial Tissue Arnold’s Lobster and Clam Bar

Seaport Hotel


Thirtypeoplewerelefthomelessafterafive-alarmfiredecimateda3½-story,wood-frameduplexin BostoninearlyOctober. Determinedtoreunitethedistraught building residents who had justlosteverythingwiththeirpets,theARL’srescueservicesteamandBostonAnimalCareandControl(BACC)devisedaplantosethumanetrapsanddodailychecksforthecatsreportedasmissing.Ittookseveraldays.Theteam searched and set traps inside the building, which senior rescue technician DanielleGenterdescribedas,“aspongey,grayalienuniverse.” Raccoonskeptwanderingintothetraps,buttheteampatientlywaitedandeventuallyfoundallfourcats.

Rescue on the Scene…Helping Reunite Victims of Terrible Fire with Pets

WhenCityofBostonofficialsannouncedtheywereclosingthe3,500-footbridgeLongIslandbridgeduetosafetyconcerns,theyorderedtheimmediateevacuationofeveryoneontheisland.The16chickenswhohadprovidedeggsforresidentsontheislandneededextrahelprelocating.

LieutenantAlanBorgal,directoroftheARL’sCenterforAnimalProtection,alongwithBACCandtheMassDepartmentofAgriculture,workedtogethertogetthebirdsofftheisland. WithhelpfromtheBostonFireDepartment,theARL’srescueteam

corralledthechickensandbroughtthemtotheDedhamshelter. Thechickenshavebeenclearedforadoption,andcontinuetoprovideDedhamstaffwithwonderful farm-fresheggs.

Evacuating the Last Long Island Residents

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.

ARL Dedham shelter staff have carefully tended to the chickens since their arrival. By all reports the chickens are excellent egg layers.

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.

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Thehotblastofsummermayseemlongbehindusnow,butinJulyandAugustwhentemperaturessizzled,theARLwantedtohelpdogownerskeeptheircaninecompanionshealthyandsafeintheheat. InJuly,theARLlaunchedthe “TooHotforSpot”campaigntoofferpetsafetytipsthroughoutthesummer.Thecampaignparticularlyemphasizedthedangersofkeepingdogsinparkedcarsintheheat.

Through radio, print, and billboard advertising,the8-weekcampaignremindedthepublictokeeptheirdog at home when heading out to do errandsorotherquicktrips.Tohelpspreadthisimportantsafetymessagefurther,theARLdistributed“TooHotforSpot”carmagnetstothepublicatallthreesheltersandeventsthroughoutthesummer. Becausetheyoftencollaborateinemergencysituationsinvolvingpetsinparkedcars,theARL’srescueteamand

theBostonFireDepartmentworkedtogethertoproduceavideodescribingwhat happens to pets and cars whenoutsideinterventionbecomesnecessary.Thevideodemonstratedhowquicklydogsbegintofeeleffectsofheatstrokebecausetheydonotsweatthewaypeopledo. “Eventhoughpeopleintendtodoaquickerrand,weknowthingshappenandsuddenly15minutescanturnintoahalfanhouror45minutes,”explainedBrianO’Connor,theARL’srescueservicesmanager.“Inthatamount of time, an animal can become extremelycompromisedbytheheat.”

To learn more about the ARL’s summer pet safety campaign and watch the “Too hot for Spot” video, visit arlboston.org/ summer-safety

Too Hot for Spot!

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.

ARL Rescue Team and Boston Fire Department join forces to educate public

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).

Learn more at arlboston.org/homeforholidays


Inrecognitionoftheirstrongsupport for the mission of the organization,theARLinvitedmembersofthePresident’sCouncildonorgroupto a fall lecture on the serious topic of animalcrueltyprevention. ThankstogeneroussupportfromtheSusannahA.KnightLawEnforcementFund,the2014lecturefeaturedguestpresenterPhilArkow,anotedspeakerwithintheanimalwelfarefieldontheconnectionbetweenanimalabuseandhumanviolence.Arkowco-foundedTheNationalLinkCoalitioninanefforttobringattentiontowhathebelievesisacriticalpublicsafetyissue. “Wecanpreventanimalabuseandotherformsoffamilyviolencebypayingmoreattentiontoanimalabuseas a potential indicator and predictor ofcrime,”Arkowsaidintheopeningminutesofhispresentation.“Whatwedotoprevent,prosecute,andpunishanimalcrueltyarejustasbeneficialtoMan—andWoman—astheyaretoMan’sBestFriend.” Citingevidencefromavarietyofsourcescompiledoverthecourseofseveraldecades,Arkowmadethecasefortakingacollaborativeapproachtocrueltyprevention,onethatcutsacrosslawenforcement,humanservices,andanimalwelfare.Hemaintainedthat

communicationamongagenciesiskeytobreakingthecycleofviolence,andpresentedseveralexamplesofcross-agencydomesticviolenceawarenesscampaignswhichhaveincorporatedpetsintothemessage. DuringtheaudiencediscussionfollowingArkow’spresentation,Dr.MarthaSmith-Blackmore,vicepresident of animal welfare at the ARL,reiteratedthatbreakingthecycleofviolence,protectinganimals,andcreating a safer, more humane world toliveinhastobeapriorityfortheentirecommunity. “Weallneedtothinkabouthowtoshare the message that helping animals isreallyhelpingpeopleandhelpingtoimprovesociety.” ThefalllectureisoneofmanybenefitstheARLofferstoPresident’sCouncilmemberstothank,inform,andengagetheorganization’smostgenerousandloyalsupporters.TheCouncilisagroupofdedicatedindividualswhodonate annual leadership gifts of $1000andabove.

To learn more about the President’s Council, visit arlboston.org/ presidents-council.

ARL Launches Fall Lecture for President’s Council MembersInaugural event focused on “the link”

Thank You to the Susannah A. Knight

Law Enforcement Fund for sponsoring the 2014

President’s Council Fall Lecture.

Fourteenanimal-lovingrunnersjoinedtheARL’s2014FalmouthRoadRaceteam,raisingover$24,000fortheARL.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.

Great Results from the ARL’s Falmouth Road Race Team

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.

Phil Arkow, co-founder of The National Link Coalition, presented informative research to members of the ARL’s President’s Council.

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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.

Thank You Granite Telecommunications

if you loveGraniteBark

!Telecommunications

Ruff!

Animal Rescue League of Boston | 10 Chandler Street | Boston, MA 02116-5221

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Documents

ARL Our Four-Footed Friends Fall/Winter 2014