Welcome
CARE Southcoast is a volunteer-run, no-kill, 501c3 animal rescue/shelter servicing the Southcoast region of Massachusetts. All our rescue dogs are in foster care, while our cats can be visited at our shelter in Acushnet, Massachusetts. We also keep most kittens and some special needs cats in foster care. We focus our efforts on pets that wouldn’t do well in traditional shelters. Our mission extends to the Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) of feral cats, training of dogs with behavioral challenges, and education to avoid rehoming of owned animals. ...READ MORE

Flea & Tick Season
Tick-Borne Diseases
Because ticks feed on the body fluids of the animals they infest, they also take in diseases and spread them from one animal to the next. With the spread of different kinds of ticks in recent years, more tick-borne diseases have also spread.
Lyme disease—Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium and is characterized by a variety of symptoms, including:
Recurring lameness
Joint inflammation
Stiff joints or difficulty moving
Fever
Lack of appetite
Anaplasmosis—Anaplasmosis affects the blood cells of the pet and has nonspecific symptoms that can include:
Loss of appetite
Lameness
Stiffness
Lethargy
Vomiting/diarrhea
Neck pain
Ehrlichiosis—The bacteria that causes Ehrlichiosis infects the body’s white blood cells, destroying them in the process. There are different stages to Ehrlichiosis. Some of the common symptoms include:
Weakness
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Difficulty breathing
Depression
Rocky Mountain spotted fever—Purebred dogs and German shepherds are more susceptible to Rocky Mountain spotted fever but any dog can contract the disease. Common symptoms include:
Fever
Depression
Lethargy
Weight loss
Blood in the urine
Skin spots
Loss of coordination
Difficulty clotting blood
Irregular heart beat
Flea-Borne Conditions
Flea allergy dermatitis—Pets can have an allergic reaction to flea saliva causing itchy red bumps and extreme discomfort.
Bartonella—The bacteria, Bartonella, is transmitted through the bite of a flea, tick, louse, or other vector insect and causes bartonellosis in pets and cat scratch fever in humans. Common symptoms in pets include:
Fever
Lameness
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Coughing
Seizures
Arthritis
Lameness
Tapeworms—Pets who ingest fleas often end up with tapeworms, as the fleas eat tapeworm eggs. Regular fecal exams at your pet’s wellness checkups will help detect tapeworm infestation.
Preventives
There are a number of flea preventive products available and care must be taken to ensure that the product you choose is effective without being toxic to your pet. Contact your Vet Hospital to evaluate your pet’s species, breed, age, size, and any health conditions to advise you on the most appropriate flea and tick preventive product to use.

“A Good Deed Bestowed Upon an Animal Expands the Size of One's Heart and Increases the Depth of the Human Soul”

Scoot

New! CARE Masks
Since the wearing of masks will be with us for some time, why not show your support with a CARE mask? Comfortable and washable, our durable, two-layer fabric masks are available in two adult sizes: SM/Med and L/XL. $10.00 each or 2 for $18.00. Shipping is free.
To order, please indicate size and quantity and PayPal the funds here or pay by check to: CARE, P.O. Box 149, E. Freetown, MA 02717.
Stay safe, and support CARE Southcoast at the same time! Thank you for your support.
Needs
FOSTER HOMES are always needed for homeless pets that come into our program. This is a great way to help if you are unable to make a lifetime commitment to a pet.
SUPPLIES are always in demand: scoopable litter, dry and wet cat and dog food, towels, paper towels, bedding, laundry detergent, PetAg Kitten Milk Replacer (KMR) powder. Please contact us about how to donate supplies.
MONETARY DONATIONS to help cover medical bills and the cost of care for our shelter and foster animals are what we need most. CARE is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and as such, your contribution may be tax-deductible. In addition to donating online, you may send donations to: CARE Southcoast, P.O. Box 149, E. Freetown, MA 02717