New England Is A Great Region For Rescue Dogs

It's no surprise that adopting a pet has become increasingly popular in America. In many cases, owners are rescuing a pet that has endured an unfortunate situation. BetMassachusetts recently showcased data that ranked the states that are best to rescue a dog, and the New England states were all over the top 10.

How does one dig into such information to create a 50-state ranking? "We used data from RescueMe.org to find the number of dog rescue groups and adoption agencies in every state," BetMassachusetts explained.

To clarify, the states are not just compiled based around where the most rescue centers are. Sure, the number of dog rescue groups was an important factor, but the rescues per square miles was also measured.

"The best time to look to adopt is in the spring and summer because rescue shelters tend to have more dogs then," BetMassachusetts continues.

Vermont ranked 10th with 83 dog rescue groups. New Hampshire has 109 rescue group which equated to ranking 7th. Massachusetts was 6th best, and has 167 rescue groups. Now we climb up to number one and two.

Connecticut has an astounding 245 dog rescue groups. Yet, this was not enough to claim the top spot. That recognition goes to the smallest state in the region. Rhode Island ranked as the best state for rescue dogs. They have 92 rescue groups and the highest ration with .059 rescues per square mile.

The Animal Rescue League of Boston is now celebrating 125 years of helping animals in need. Currently, you can explore rescuing a dog of any age, including 10 years or older. In fact, older dogs are the least expensive at $300. Puppies and dogs up to 9 years old fall into a price range of $480 - $580.

Through this organization, 3,173 pets were adopted in 2023, finding comfortable and forever homes. "While most shelters put an emphasis on physical care, we at the ARL know that an animal’s mental and emotional well-being is equally as important," The Animal Rescue League states.

If you're someone who dislikes the snow and ice, then you probably have been loving this winter. Warmer temperatures have flourished throughout the U.S. But, that also means more bugs and ticks. Moreover, tick bites aren't something to take lightly. Now, health agencies across America are warning that this year's tick season is going to be extra bad.

So, why will there be more ticks this season? It's simple. A warmer winter means that the tick population didn't die off like it would have in freezing temperatures. That means there are going to be way more ticks attacking both humans and pets.

What makes ticks so dangerous? They could be carrying the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. "The bacterium can be transmitted by the blacklegged tick, if infected," the Michigan DNR says on its website. They add that it's "the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States." Moreover, the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes that ticks can also cause Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis, Powassan Virus, STARI, Alpha-gal Syndrome and Borrelia miyamotoi disease. Not cool.

So, what exactly is a tick? It's an arthropod, like a spider. "Ticks have 8 legs, are very small, and attach to a person or animal to suck blood. In Pennsylvania, many ticks carry diseases," the Pennsylvania Department of Health notes. "Ticks can be found anywhere: outdoors in areas with long grasses and weeds, leaf piles, the woods, and even in your own yard." That said, it's important to protect yourself and avoid tick bites. That doesn't mean you have to totally avoid going outdoors. But, you need to be cautious. I love being outdoors in the warm months, and I also live near the woods. So, I'm going to be extra mindful of ticks this season. Here are some expert tips I'm following, and you should, too.

If you're going outdoors, make sure to take precautions. The Pennsylvania Department of Health suggests treating clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. "Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings," they state. Also, use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone. Finally, wear light-colored clothing.

Of course, the best thing to do is to avoid any contact with ticks. So, try to avoid wooded and brushy areas with high grass or fallen leaves. If you are in those areas, walk in the center of the trails. Just stay away from that tall grass at all costs.

When you get inside, check your clothing for tickets. Remove any tickets that you find. Also, "Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors," according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. They also suggest to examine gear and pets, shower soon after being outdoors and check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Finally, shower as soon as you come indoors.

When you come indoors, do that full body check for ticks. They tend to hide under the arms; in and around the ears; inside belly button; back of the knees; in and around the hair; between the legs; and around the waist. That's according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Take it seriously if you get a tick bite. "If you develop a rash or fever within a month of removing a tick, see your doctor as soon as possible," the Michigan DNR says. "Be sure to tell your doctor about your recent tick bite and when the bite occurred."

If you get a tick bite, above all, remain calm. It can be scary, but if you catch it in time, there are things that can help. That's why it's so important to do early detection and look all over your body and clothes after being outdoors. So, you don't have to say no to going out doors, but say no to ticks.