​So far in 2021, Cape Ann Animal Aid has already taken in more than 1000 animals from overcrowded southern shelters and other rescue organizations desperate for help. A heartbreaking message from our partners in Texas reminds us that safely transporting vulnerable animals from other parts of the country saves homeless dogs and cats from dire circumstances where their lives are at risk.

Things are bad right now in Texas for animals - maybe the worst we have ever seen them. Shelters are closed and euthanizing due to lack of space. Rescues are overflowing. Dogs are being dumped by the litter in parks, roadways, and cemeteries. Craigslist and Walmart parking lots are full of ‘free puppies.’ Gas stations and convenience stores routinely have hungry adult dogs looking for food. It is heartbreaking and overwhelming."

​Kona and Kaiser are two incredible dogs who recently endured the long journey from Texas together to our shelter this past spring. At first glance, the two pups with German Shepherd traits appear to be siblings; however, they come from very different backgrounds and unfortunate circumstances. ​Kona, the smaller of the two pups, was rescued from a Craigslist ad. She was sick and missing large portions of her fur. ​

​Visually impaired, larger dogs have a low survival rate in shelters, and in Texas those chances are even lower. From the moment she brought Kaiser home, the two dogs were inseparable, and Kona immediately took on her official role as Kaiser’s best friend and seeing-eye dog. ​​Kona may not have a fancy certificate but she’s all Kaiser needs to feel safe and comfortable.

​The next step in saving these two wonderful animals was transporting them to our shelter where we could provide them with the medical and behavioral care they needed in order to help find a special family who would adopt them together.​

​We've seen first-hand the transformative effects our medical and behavioral resources have on the animals we transport to our shelter. Jazz and Rat are two lucky cats whose lives were forever changed the day they arrived at our shelter. And in return, they are now providing their much-needed love and joy to their new family.​​

Jazz did not have the benefit of learning proper manners from his mother or siblings, so after our medical team successfully treated Jazz's infection, he was placed with a foster to help him improve his play skills. Although he was incredibly affectionate to both people and dogs and entertained his foster family with hours of fetching his favorite blue mouse, his play behaviors were not improving. We decided he needed a fellow cat friend to teach him proper manners.

​To help Jazz, our Cape Ann Animal Aid animal care team spent time assessing other cats in our shelter in the hopes that we could find him a friend to teach him how to play nicely. One cat's calm and confident demeanor was just what Jazz needed.​

The two cats complemented each other so well that they caught the eye of a woman looking for the perfect cat duo to keep her company after a family tragedy. Rat and Jazz, now named Philip and Thomas, have found a loving home of their own. Their adopter recently let us know that they continue to provide so much joy for each other and for her as well.

​"Philip and Thomas, are a delight and best friends. Philip (Rat) is very kind and patient with Thomas’ (Jazz) shenanigans. My husband Bill died last year, and these two characters are wonderfully comforting companions. I am so grateful they were recognized as buddies at the shelter, as they helped each other adapt to their new home."

​Kona and Kaiser were recently adopted together into a wonderful family that is giving them all the love they deserve. They even have a sibling to romp around with and provide Kaiser with extra support. Kona sure does appreciate the help. DONATE TODAY

​Each year in the spring and summer months, our shelter sees an increased number of kittens and puppies who are often found orphaned or with their unspayed mothers. In 2020 alone, your support helped Cape Ann Animal Aid rescue and care for 578 kittens and 283 puppies who's lives were at risk.

​​Rescuing Boo Boo and her pups from an unsafe home

​​​Boo Boo and her newborn puppies were rescued in poor condition by our partners in Texas. She was underweight, living outside the family house and tied to a tree without proper care for her and her nursing puppies. It was reported by the owner that Boo Boo was neglecting her pups, leaving them outside her doghouse and would not feed or care for them. When Cape Ann Animal Aid received the call for help, we knew we had to commit to this family.

Transporting family of 7 to a safe shelter.

The first step was removing Boo Boo and her pups from this unsafe situation and finding them a temporary indoor space to help them gain their strength. The next step was transporting them to our shelter where we could provide them with all the proper care and medical attention they needed.  ​

Although families like this require a lot of resources and manpower, we knew we couldn't say no to their plea. A safe, quiet space was set up in our William H. Lambert Education and Training Room, just outside the medical procedure room. This would allow all animal care and veterinary staff to monitor the mother and her growing pups throughout the day. ​Everyday in our care, Boo Boo continued to thrive, gain weight and feed her pups until they could eat on their own. ​

​Because of you, animals in need are transformed and able to live their best life.

Through our efforts, with your support, Boo Boo learned to trust again and enjoy the abundance of love and attention she received in our care.  We are happy to report  that each of her pudgy pups have found loving families of their own.  Boo Boo was recently adopted into an amazing family where she spends her days boating and navigating her new life filled with love. ​

​With a new life comes a new name. She is now Minnie and it's hard to believe this is the same dog.  We hope Boo Boo's smiling face shows you just how much your gifts mean to animals in need.