What are the opening hours?

Monday 12pm - 4pm Wednesday 12pm - 4pm Thursday 12pm - 4pm

Worcester Animal Rescue League

Home
United States
Worcester, MA
Worcester Animal Rescue League

Call Directions Website

Founded in 1912 by a group of women determined to save overworked and abused farm horses, WARL continues this legacy of love for animals.
(742)

www.worcesterarl.org

License Number: 0348

https://www.pledge.to/organizations/04-2133247/worcester-animal-rescue-league

Members of the press may contact [email protected] for official statements or interview requests. As a private, non-profit organization that does not receive any county, state, or federal funding, WARL relies heavily on the generosity of donors and volunteers. The facility annually assists over 2500 cats, dogs, kittens, and puppies in the communities surrounding Worcester MA. Programs and services include lost and found, boarding, adoptions, low-cost spay/neuter & vaccine clinics, educational programs, foster and volunteer opportunities. Now the largest animal shelter in Central Massachusetts, WARL is a limited intake shelter, accepting pets only when enough kennel space is available; it does not believe in time or space limits for adoptable pets, and uses every resource available to place each one.

10/29/2026

💛🐾 SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, OUR FOREVER FAMILY IS WAITING… AND WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THE DAY OUR WORLDS COLLIDE. 🐾💛

Meet in video style- Caramel & Waffles, our adorable Pets of the Week! Two 2-year-old doodles, one beautiful bond, and SO much love just waiting to be shared. 🥹

These two have the kind of personalities that make you wonder how anyone could ever let them go. Caramel? She’s a professional lap warmer. Give her a little love, and she’ll happily snuggle her way right into your heart. ❤️

And Waffles? Well, Waffles has a very important job for his future family. 🎾 He’s in charge of making sure you never forget how much fun a game of fetch can be! Throw that tennis ball, and he’ll be ready to remind you that life is always a little better when you make time to play.

Together, these two are the perfect mix of cuddles, laughter, companionship, and unconditional love. We would LOVE to see them adopted together, because there is something so special about the bond they share.

We keep imagining that magical moment… the moment someone walks through our doors, meets these two incredible souls, and realizes that their family has been right here waiting for them all along. The moment Caramel finds her favorite lap, Waffles finds his favorite tennis ball, and two sweet dogs finally get to start their next chapter in a home of their own. 🏡💕

That’s the moment we’re waiting for. That’s the happily-ever-after we’re hoping to share.

Could YOU be the one who changes their story? 🥹

🐾 Caramel & Waffles are our bonded, 2-year-old doodle duo!
🐾 We would love for them to find a home together.
🐾 They’re sweet, loving, and ready to bring SO much joy to their lucky family!

✨ WALK-IN ADOPTIONS ARE TODAY FROM 12–4 PM! ✨

Who’s coming to meet this duo? Could today be the day two hearts find their forever home? 💛🐾

10/28/2026

🐾 HAPPY WEDNESDAY, HOPEFULS! 🐾

It’s WALK-IN ADOPTION DAY, and we can’t wait to introduce you to all our new faces waiting for their happily ever after! 🏡💙

🐱 YES, WE HAVE KITTENS TODAY! 😻

🐶 Our Pets of the Week, the bonded doodle duo, are still eagerly waiting for their forever home together!

🐾 A cute new Pom has joined us!

🖤 A Beetlejuice who is only 8 months old!

🐱 And some new feline faces, including an adorable pair of bonded brothers who are hoping to find a home together! 🥹💕

So many new faces, so many hopeful hearts, and so many reasons to stop by today!

⏰ WALK-IN ADOPTIONS START AT 12 PM!

Come meet your new best friend, fall in love, and maybe make this the Wednesday that changes a life forever. ❤️

We’ll see you at 12! 🐾🏡

10/27/2026

🐾💕 Pets of the Week: Caramel & Waffles!

Meet Caramel and Waffles, the sweetest 2-year-old doodle duo looking for their next chapter! 🏡❤️

These two are a bonded pair whose family was moving to a new home that, despite their best efforts, didn’t allow pets. They entrusted us with finding Caramel and Waffles a new beginning, and now we need YOUR help to make that happen! 🐾

🍯 Caramel is a total lovebug! This girl LOVES to be in your lap, curling up close and gazing at you with the most loving eyes. She’ll have you melting in seconds! 🥹💗

🎾 Waffles is our silly little entertainer! This boy LOVES tennis balls and can keep himself entertained with a game all on his own. 😂 When he’s not busy playing, you can find him snuggled up in a cozy blanket, living his best life. 🥰

These two have a special bond, and Caramel and Waffles MUST be adopted together. They’ve been through a big change, and we want nothing more than to see them start their next chapter side by side, surrounded by the love and security they deserve. ❤️

Could you be the happily-ever-after these two sweet souls are waiting for? Or do you know someone who could give them the loving home they need? Please share their story and help us find their forever family! 🏡🐶🐶

📍 Walk-in adoptions:
🗓️ Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
⏰ 12 PM – 4 PM

Let’s keep these two best friends together and find Caramel & Waffles the forever home they deserve! Two hearts, one home, and a lifetime of love to share. 💕🐾

10/26/2026

🐾 WOW, WORCESTER! YOU REALLY SHOWED UP FOR US! 🚐💙

Our first-ever Waggin' for a Van Halloween 5K was a HUGE success, and we couldn't be more grateful to everyone who helped make it happen!

On Saturday morning, Shore Park was filled with an incredible crowd of supporters, families, and, of course, plenty of four-legged friends! 🐕 From wagging tails and Halloween costumes to a whole lot of smiles, it was everything we hoped for and more!

And the best part? Together, we raised OVER $5,000 toward the purchase of a much-needed van for WARL! 🎉🚐

While this is an incredible start, we still have a ways to go before we can purchase our van! Having a dedicated vehicle will make a tremendous difference in our ability to transport animals to veterinary appointments, facilitate transfers, pick up supplies, and support the lifesaving work we do every day. Every dollar raised brings us one step closer, and we're hoping our wonderful community will continue to help us get there!

Of course, we couldn't have pulled this off without some pretty wonderful people!

💙 Our amazing WARL staff and volunteers who helped organize, prepare, and keep everything running smoothly throughout the day.

🐾 Beta Theta Pi from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for generously volunteering their time and helping guide participants along the route!

💧 Andrea Castinetti of Castinetti Realty Group for helping keep everyone fueled with snacks and plenty of hydration!

☕ The Breakfast Bus for joining us bright and early with delicious breakfast food and much-needed coffee!

And we can't forget one of the highlights of the morning - our Halloween costume parade and contest! From adorable pets in costume to families getting in on the fun, you all brought some serious creativity and made choosing favorites no easy task! 🎃👻

Most importantly, THANK YOU to every single person who registered, walked, donated, cheered us on, or simply came out to spend the morning with us. Whether you walked one loop or two, came with two legs or four, you helped make this event something special.

We are so fortunate to have a community that continues to show up for the animals who need us. 💙

🚐 Want to help us keep the momentum going? Our fundraising efforts aren't over! You can still contribute to our van campaign and help us get one step closer to hitting the road!

💙 Donate here: https://www.givesignup.org/warl

📸 Now for the moment you've all been waiting for... THE PHOTO DUMP! Enjoy some of our favorite moments from the day, and see if you can spot yourself (or your pup)!

10/25/2026

🐾 What a day for Waggin’ for a Van! 🚐💙

The sun was shining, the tails were wagging, and our community showed up for WARL!

Here’s a little sneak peek at yesterday’s Halloween 5K! We have so many photos and special moments to share, but for now, we just want to say THANK YOU!

To everyone who walked, donated, sponsored, volunteered, or cheered us on - you helped bring us one step closer to getting WARL a much-needed van!

Stay tuned for more photos and highlights from an incredible day! 💙🐾

10/24/2026

Do you know us or who we belong to? We were found as strays recently in Worcester. The names given to us will be under each picture, and where we were found. If you have any information, please contact the shelter at 508-853-0030 or email [email protected].

10/23/2026

🐾 ONE MORE SLEEP until Waggin’ for a Van! 🎃🚐

We’re getting ready for a fun morning of wagging tails, Halloween costumes, and supporting the animals at Worcester Animal Rescue League!

There’s still time to join us! Online registration is still open, and we’ll also be accepting walk-up registrations tomorrow morning!

📅 Saturday, October 24
⏰ 9 AM – 12 PM
📍 Shore Park, Worcester

Whether you’re running, walking, or just coming out to show your support, we’d love to see you there! 🐶❤️

🐾 Register here: https://www.givesignup.org/Race/MA/Worcester/WagginForAVan

🚐 Let’s get WARL one step closer to our new van!

🐕 And the fun doesn’t stop after the 5K!

Our adoption lobby will be open from 12 PM – 2 PM for our fee-waived adoption event for dogs over one year old! 🐾

Our adoptable cats will also be available to meet, with regular adoption fees applying. 🐱❤️

Come for the 5K, stay for the furry faces! 🐾

10/23/2026

Do you know us or who we belong to? We were found in a carrier in Worcester or the Greater Worcester area on 10/22/26. The names given to us at the shelter are Connie and Babs. If you have any information, please contact the shelter at 508-853-0030 or email [email protected].

Address

139 Holden Street
Worcester, MA
01606

Opening Hours

Monday	12pm - 4pm
Wednesday	12pm - 4pm
Thursday	12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15088530030

Website

https://worcesterarl.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Worcester Animal Rescue League posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.