It was a great start to the year for animals throughout the Commonwealth in need of a home.

Last month, 281 animals were adopted from Animal Rescue League of Boston's Dedham shelter, as well as the ARL's shelters in Boston and Brewster, according to a recent news post from the ARL website.

In total, the following number of animals were able to find new homes in January:

• 202 cats
• 31 dogs
• 11 birds (including two doves and nine finches)
• 12 guinea pigs
• 11 hamsters
• Seven rabbits
• Two degus
• One ferret
• One chinchilla

Meanwhile, a number of older dogs were adopted through the ARL's Animal Care and Adoption areas, including:

• 12-year-old Obie, a Labrador Retriever
• 11-year-old Diva, a miniature pinscher
• 9-year-old Cooper, a cocker spaniel

A number of older cats were also adopted, including:

• 11-year-olds Angel, Fluffy and George, adopted within one week
• 10-year-old Jelly
• 9-year-olds Diamond and Dr. Hazel
• 8-year-olds Bandit, Little Dee, Stormy and Margo

Each week, Westwood Patch features a new animal up for adoption at The Animal Rescue League of Boston's Dedham shelter as part of a Pet of the Week series. Shelba, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, was the most recently-featured pet.

Last July, an eight-year-old cat named Russo was adopted after being featured on Westwood Patch.