Animal Rescue League of Boston
A champion for animals
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our vision is to confront animal cruelty and neglect at its root causes. Through programs, services, and facilities focused on accessible animal care, public advocacy, and sustained anti-cruelty efforts, we will be a resource for people and an unwavering champion for animals most in need. Our focus will be to meet people and animals where they are, bringing veterinary and wellness services directly to those who need it most, so that animals are safe and healthy living in communities and out of shelters. We will align our resources to support this vision through a coordination of existing programs and the development of new, community-based services. The impact of our work will be seen in the lives of animals most in need across Massachusetts, with the greatest effect in our primary service areas of Greater Boston, Eastern Massachusetts, and the Cape Cod regions.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Animal Care and Adoption
Animal Care and Adoption services include intake, shelter and care, behavioral assessment, enrichment, and adoption. These services are offered at three centers located in Boston, Dedham, and Brewster.
The Transport Waggin’ links together ARL’s locations and programs so that animals have access to the exact resources they need. The vehicle also allows ARL to transport out-of-state animals, and assist municipal shelters, animal control facilities, and smaller rescue groups.
Healthy Moms, Happy Litters provides assistance to local families and their pets. The program offers free high-quality spay/neuter services and vaccinations for mother/father cats or dogs, and the litter of kittens/puppies will be placed up for adoption once eligible.
In 2021 outcomes include:
2,872 Adoptions
90% Live Release Rate – the rate of adoptions or return to field outcomes, as defined by the ASPCA
564 Activities completed by the Transport Waggin'
351 Animals transported from out of state
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement investigates crimes of animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect. ARL employs Special State Police Officers, with the authority to enforce animal cruelty and neglect laws. These officers work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and animal control officers throughout the Commonwealth.
2021 outcomes include:
3,701 animals inspected
544 Active Investigations
3 cases resulting in large-scale animal intake
Community & Shelter Medicine
Community Veterinary Services serves animals and people in the communities where they live.
The Spay Waggin’, a mobile veterinary surgical unit, provides low cost spay and neuter services in Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands.
The Wellness Waggin’, a mobile veterinary unit, hosts low cost weekly pet wellness clinics in Greater Boston.
The Community Surgical Clinic provides both veterinary and surgical services at our Dedham campus, including the Community Cat Initiative.
Shelter Veterinary Services provides comprehensive veterinary services for ARL’s Animal Care and Adoption Centers
2021 outcomes include:
5,030 veterinarian exams by Shelter Veterinary Services
4,401 Spay/Neuter surgeries provided by the Spay Waggin’
3,650 pets seen at pet wellness clinics in Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and East Boston
1,995 surgeries performed by Shelter Veterinary Services
435 surgeries provided by the Community Surgical clinic
15 Partner sites for the Spay Waggin’
Community Programs
Field Services provides rescue for injured domestic animals, livestock, and birds of prey.
Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals Facing Emergencies) provides emergency services to help keep pets with their families, including delivery of pet food and essential supplies; temporary shelter for pets; and arrangements for the emergency surrender of pets.
Temporary Pet Housing offers 120 days of housing for pets whose owners may be experiencing housing instability or are at imminent risk of homelessness.
The Community Cat Initiative assists “community cats” (feral, semi-feral and outdoor cats). A dedicated field services agent assesses a colony of cats and formulates TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) plans. Cats also receive veterinary car and are evaluated for adoption potential.
2021 outcomes include:
2,787 activities completed by Field Services
896 activities completed by Keep Pets SAFE
504 Community cats adopted
249 Trap-Neuter-Return surgeries completed
Advocacy
ARL seeks to make long-term gains for animals by advocating for humane laws, policies, and regulations. ARL engages dedicated staff and volunteers to draft and advocate for legislation and policy with local, state, and federal government.
Volunteer Engagement
ARL recruits and supports over 1,000 volunteers and over 500 foster families who contribute more than 39,000 hours of service each year. Volunteers provide critical support for animal enrichment, and socialization; as well as advocacy, administration, and customer service roles.
In 2021, 1,059 volunteers contributed 39,515 hours of service.
Where we work
Affiliations & memberships
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Humane Society of the United States
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of animals receiving subsidized or free spay/neuter services
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Community & Shelter Medicine
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Includes subsidized spay/neuter surgeries provided by the Spay Waggin' & Community Surgical Clinic. These programs were affected by temporary program suspensions and operations changed due to COVID
Number of veterinary field clinics held
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Community & Shelter Medicine
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
2018 was the first year of our Pet Wellness Clinics. In 2023, 3,229 pets received wellness exams.
Number of animals spayed and neutered
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Community & Shelter Medicine
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of animal adoptions
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Related Program
Animal Care and Adoption
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
In 2020, our adoption numbers were affected by temporary program suspensions due to COVID-19
Average number of days of shelter stay for dogs
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Animal Care and Adoption
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Shelter Stay (SS) is affected by animals who need to stay in shelter care for longer periods of time for various reasons - law enforcement cases, behavior/medical care, etc. 2023 Median SS = 13 days
Average number of days of shelter stay for cats and small animals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Animal Care and Adoption
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Cats - Avg Shelter Stay: 14 days; Median Shelter Stay: 8 days Small Animals - Avg Shelter Stay: 32 days; Median Shelter Stay: 11 days
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our vision is to confront animal cruelty and neglect at its root causes. Through programs, services, and facilities focused on accessible animal care, public advocacy, and sustained anti-cruelty efforts, we will be a resource for people and an unwavering champion for animals most in need.
Our focus will be to meet people and animals where they are, bringing veterinary and wellness services directly to those who need it most, so that animals are safe and healthy living in communities and out of shelters. We will align our resources to support this vision through a coordination of existing programs and the development of new, community-based services.
The impact of our work will be seen in the lives of animals most in need across Massachusetts, with the greatest effect in our primary service areas of Greater Boston, Eastern Massachusetts, and the Cape Cod regions.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
In order to see our vision realized, ARL’s areas of focus for the next 5 years are:
1. Prevent animal cruelty and neglect by strengthening law and public policy and increasing community awareness and action to report and combat abuse.
2. Grow and refocus programs targeted towards those animals in greatest need and to the people who care for them.
3. Grow volunteer membership and attract and retain a well-trained, committed staff to support program growth and strategic goals.
4. Increase financial resources to achieve greater impact for animals in need.
5. Enhance the capacity of ARL infrastructure to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources for achieving organizational goals.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The ARL team is comprised of professionals committed to delivering high-quality direct animal care which meets best practice standards in animal welfare. Our team consists of skilled shelter agents, veterinarians, law enforcement police officers, technical animal rescue technicians, community liaisons and dedicated volunteers -- all committed to carry out our mission every day.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
1. Prevent animal cruelty and neglect by strengthening law and public policy and increasing community awareness and action to report and combat abuse.
• Began recruitment and utilization of volunteers for virtual advocacy work.
• Promoted the annual, Too Hot for Spot®, public awareness campaign for the 7th consecutive year.
• Provided two trainings on reporting animal cruelty and how to recognize and report animal abuse to the Massachusetts State Police Academy and a training at the Department of Children and Families.
2. Grow and refocus programs targeted towards those animals in greatest need and to the people who care for them.
- To best serve these people and animals we launched two new programs:
• The Keep Pets S.A.F.E. (Supporting Animals Facing Emergencies) program provides emergency services to help keep pets with their families during the COVID-19 pandemic, including contactless delivery of pet food and essential supplies; pick up and transfer of pets to provide critical veterinary care; temporary emergency shelter for pets; and arrangements for the emergency surrender of pets.
• The Temporary Pet Housing Initiative assists pet owners who may be experiencing housing instability or who may be in imminent risk of homelessness as a result of COVID-related eviction. The initiative offers eligible clients up to 120 days of temporary pet housing.
• Expanded the Wellness Waggin’ to a new East Boston site and established a spay/neuter referral program for clients through the Spay Waggin’ and Community Surgical Clinic.
• Mobilized a new, state-of-the-art Spay Waggin’ vehicle in June and resumed operations in the City of Boston for the first time in over a decade.
3. Grow volunteer membership and attract and retain a well-trained, committed staff to support program growth and strategic goals.
• 840 dedicated volunteers contributed over 63,000 hours.
• Grew foster network to 435 families.
• Promoted 7 staff members.
4. Increase financial resources to achieve greater impact for animals in need.
• Raised more than $3M in public support from 11,710 donors, an increase from 2019.
• Grew individual giving by more than 10%.
5.Enhance the capacity of ARL infrastructure to ensure the most effective and efficient use of resources for achieving organizational goals.
• Converted the old Spay Waggin’ to a stationary surgical suite in Brewster to lower outside veterinary expenses and the stress on animals being transported.
• Received approval from the Planning Board for the Dedham construction project. Schematic designs, design development, and construction documents were completed.
• Responded to the COVID-19 crisis with a rapid shift to remote operations supported by IT. Phone trees were rerouted and new software was implemented to allow for telemedicine veterinary services.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Animal Rescue League of Boston
Board of directorsas of 02/02/2024
Mr. Walter Kenyon
Retired
Term: 2019 -
Laura Tomasetti
360PR+
Term: 2020 -
Edward Schettino. DVM, PhD
Animal Rescue League of Boston, President
Walter Kenyon
Richard Kelly
Alisa Plazonja
Christina Nagler
Heather Ridill
Tara Oliver
Laura Tomasetti
Chris Primiano
Jose Rodriguez-Villalobos
Nadine Pellegrini
Renee Knilans
Rod MacDonald
Cynthia Kettyle
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 10/04/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.