Dogs/Cats

Animal Rescue League Of Fall River

Fall River, MA 02720

About

The League, founded in 1914, is a private non-profit, charitable organization with a 501(c)(3) status which does not receive any government funding or tax dollars. We are supported solely by private donations from caring people in our community, by grants, special events, and program services. The Animal Rescue League is guided by the principle of community engagement with the goal of building partnerships that would enhance the quality of life of the animals in our care. Our staff works extremely hard to find good, permanent, loving homes for animals that have been abandoned, neglected, abused, relinquished, or found homeless. We are a no-kill shelter. The Animal Rescue League of Fall River saves the lives of hundreds of animals per year, and places over 400 cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies a year. No animal is euthanized unless it is on a veterinarian’s advice to end or prevent pain and suffering from a terminal, untreatable illness or physical ailment.

Pets available

Dogs Cats

Adoption process

The first step in adopting any animal from our shelter is to fill out an application. The application does not tie you to anything, it is not a contract. Your application will then go through the approval process. This includes calling landlords to verify you have permission to have a pet or making sure you own your home. We will make a reference call to your previous veterinarian(s) and your town’s Animal Control Officer. If all of those calls come back clear, your application is considered “pre-approved”. Congratulations, you just completed the first step in adopting! The next step is to fall in love with your new best friend. When you’re ready, one of our animal care takers will walk you around the shelter to visit with our adoptable dogs and/or cats. They will ask questions about your lifestyle and what you’re looking for in your new 4-legged family member. Your answers to these questions will help them match you with a suitable companion. When you find your potential new friend, it is vital that EVERYONE in the family meet him or her. All humans living in your household must meet and get along with your new pet before your adoption application can be approved. If your new addition is a dog, all canines that are currently part of your family must meet the new furry friend as well. If there is no pet in the shelter that meets what you’re looking for, leave a description of your perfect new companion with our adoption counselor and someone will give you a call when a pet matching your description is surrendered to our shelter! Our adoptions are made on best fit, not first application. If we get 5 applications on the same animal, the animal will be adopted out to the family that is the best match for his/her personality and needs. Please keep in mind that adoptions do not usually occur on the first visit to the shelter. Many of our pets spend a few weeks with us before they can leave for their forever homes. During this time, pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, brought up to date on vaccinations and screened for some common diseases (heartworm in dogs and FIV/FeLV in cats). Our adoptable animals are also on heartworm medication, flea & tick preventatives and given clean bills of health by our veterinarian. All of this is included in your adoption fee! Application approved? Awesome! You’re the proud new parents to a bouncing 4-legged furbaby. On pick up day (which will be discussed when your application is approved), bring a carrier (for cats and small dogs) or a leash and collar (for big dogs!) with you to the shelter. There will be some paperwork for you to sign, including the adoption contract and microchip information. The staff will be available to answer any questions you may have before taking your new pet home. After paying your adoption fee, the staff will take a going home picture for our records and to be used on our Happy Tails page and you will be on your way with your newest best friend!