Dogs and cats have received an unprecedented amount of media coverage in recent weeks, and for all the wrong reasons. And online memes and songs about pets keep the conversation going. Your comments may be painful, but they are an opportunity to share more about the importance of the human-animal bond and its impact on Greater Boston.
In the early 19th century, Dorchester social worker Anna Harris Smith was called to action after seeing the brutal abuse of working horses and the number of stray and homeless animals in Boston. She advocates for centrally located shelters to care for dogs and cats, saying, “Getting dogs and cats off the streets is a rewarding job, but teaching them thoughtful kindness is a great way to help families… “This is work that changes communities and nations.”
On March 13, 1899, thanks to Anna’s efforts, the Boston Animal Protection League was officially established, helping millions of animals heal, find homes, and be reunited with families while being protected from abuse and neglect. We started helping them stay. Not only did Anna witness the effects on animals, but she also witnessed the effects of this cruelty and neglect on children and adults.
In the 125 years since its founding, Animal Rescue League has provided care to more than 6 million animals. Our animal shelter and adoption center not only provides temporary homes for animals in need, but also provides veterinary services, dog training, behavioral assistance, humane education, humane law enforcement, and We also offer community programs. With kindness and compassion, we currently help care for over 20,000 animals a year.
But today’s economic challenges, including the rising cost of living and the housing crisis, are being felt across the commonwealth. And when people struggle, pets struggle too.
Recent studies and data show that these issues have a serious impact on the animals we love, and the cost of raising them can drive humans away from their pets. Nationwide, 12% of people surrender their pets because they can’t afford veterinary care, and 14% of pets end up in shelters because of housing issues. In fact, Boston has been named one of the most pet-friendly cities in America and ranks as one of the most expensive cities for veterinary care.
Scientific research repeatedly notes that pet ownership has a significant positive impact on individual well-being and community health. Pets reduce conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and contribute to improved mental health, especially among veterans, seniors, and children.
Pets are family members for nearly 50% of Massachusetts households. That’s why we do everything we can to keep our pets in homes with people who love them. From pet food and supplies to affordable care, temporary pet housing and more, we ask for help so pets can stay where they belong, with their families and outside of shelters. I am responding to your voice.
In recent years, Animal Rescue League’s programs and services have expanded and evolved to reflect new issues, advances in veterinary medicine and animal care, and community needs. Today, the animals in our care are staying longer, have increased medical and behavioral needs, and require more time and financial resources than ever to treat their unique needs. We need resources. And every day, we push our limits by going beyond shelters and addressing the root causes of problems facing animals and the people who love them. Through partnerships with communities facing disabilities and Greater Boston’s leading human services organizations, we help animals heal and thrive, pets and people bond, and families stay connected.
As one of the Commonwealth’s largest nonprofit organizations, we are now writing the next chapter in our long history and reinvesting in the City of Boston, its residents, and our pets for the next 125 years and beyond. We have committed to replacing the Boston Animal Rescue and Adoption Center at our current home in Boston’s historic South End with a new facility. This is an important, long-term investment that will provide the highest standards of care for our animals for generations to come.
Today’s challenges for pets and their families are more complex, nuanced and urgent than ever, requiring action, innovation, collaboration and above all, more compassion. We must all recognize the intersection of animal welfare and human health and continue to reimagine how we can work together to make our communities better places for pets and people.
Dr. Edward Schettino is the President and CEO of the Boston Animal Rescue Federation.
