Monique, a mother of five in Avon, recently had her life upended when she learned that the building she rented an apartment in had been sold, giving her just 30 days to vacate. But the dilemma didn’t end there.
The temporary housing she secured came with a heart-wrenching stipulation: Her beloved pets weren’t welcome. To Monique, her cat and dog are more than just animals — they are family. (The policy of the Animal Rescue League of Boston, of which I am president, only permits me to use her first name for privacy reasons.)Faced with an uncertain future, she was unsure of where to turn.
Monique is not alone. Today’s economic challenges, such as the rising cost of living, the housing crisis, and barriers for pet owners including lack of access to low cost, quality veterinary care, are being felt across Massachusetts. And when people struggle, pets struggle. These issues are part of why the Animal Rescue League of Boston strives to be a vital resource for pet owners facing challenges. But more must be done.
Consider this: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates the annual cost of owning a dog comes to nearly $1,400, with the number ballooning to some $3,200 in the first year of ownership. The annual costs for a cat, meanwhile, total about $1,150 — and about $1,900 in the first year. These prices are having a profound impact: Across the United States, 12 percent of people have surrendered a pet for financial reasons and 14 percent of pets end up in shelters due to housing-related problems, according to studies published this year by LendingTree and Frontiers in Veterinary Science, respectively.
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Locally, Boston ranks as one of the least pet-friendly cities in America, based on metrics such as prevalence of parks, availability of dog-friendly shops, and pet health and wellness. It is also one of the worst in terms of the cost of veterinary care, according to a WalletHub study.
These statistics cannot be ignored, especially considering the profound positive impact of pet ownership. Research shows that pets help reduce conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and contribute to improved mental health, particularly among veterans, seniors, and children.
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Pets are family for over 1 million Massachusetts households, which is why the Animal Rescue League is doing everything we can to keep pets in homes with the people who love them. Many do not know that they can come to us if they’re in need of pet food or supplies, affordable veterinary care, or temporary pet housing.
Desperate to keep her entire family, including her pets, together, Monique was referred to the ARL’s Temporary Pet Housing program. There, she found a safe and caring environment where her pets could stay while she searched for stable housing. Just three weeks later, she found a new, pet-friendly home and was joyfully reunited with her four-legged family members.
Monique’s story had a happy ending, which highlights the critical role organizations such as the ARL play in supporting pet owners during times of crisis. On a daily basis, animals come through our doors for a wide range of reasons, from a decline in their owner’s health, to relationships with other pets, to changes in the household such as the birth of a child.
The ARL stands ready to help, through the resources we offer as well as by supporting legislation to increase pet-friendly housing. And we’re looking ahead, too, making a long-term investment that reflects our commitment to the City of Boston by rebuilding our Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center at our current home in the South End.
However, we cannot do this work alone. With limited resources and no government funding, we must rely on the community.
As we turn the corner into 2025, consider lending a hand to help animals. Organizations like ours are always looking for volunteers to, for example, provide foster homes for animals recovering from injuries or those who have behavioral challenges. Or take the time to ask your local elected officials to support legislation to help pets stay with their families.
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Today’s challenges for pets and their families are more complicated and more urgent than ever, and require action, innovation, collaboration, and, most of all, compassion. We must all recognize the importance of the human-animal bond, and reimagine how we can work together to make our communities a better place for pets and people.
After all, no one should have to choose between their home and their pets.
Dr. Edward Schettino is president and CEO of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. Send comments to magazine@globe.com.