Our pets show their unconditional love every day. It’s in their nature to meet us with a wagging tail or an affectionate head bump, often while hiding chronic pain and discomfort. September is Animal Pain Awareness Month; a time to call attention to the signs that our pets may be silently suffering.
September 16-22 is Adopt a Less-Adoptable Pet Week, one of the most important weeks on my calendar, mainly because of our Bella. When she came into our lives 11 years ago, she was definitely one of the “less-adoptables.” She’d been found blind and pregnant, walking around a junkyard. She was about to be euthanized at a municipal shelter when North Shore Animal League America scooped her up and brought her to safety. That was her new beginning.
As Hurricane Ernesto was making it's way to Puerto Rico, we we acted swiftly to assist our long-time rescue partners on the island. After the tropical storm hit the island recently our Rescue Team continued their efforts to help in any way possible.
When I read that August 17 is National Black Cat Appreciation Day, my heart skipped a beat, and I immediately thought of our magnificent Leon Bear. Howard and I lost this 20-pound bundle of pure joy and sweetness to cancer on September 12, 2018. Looking back, I remember how dignified, regal, confident, and intelligent he was, with his lustrous coat and his wise golden eyes. To us, he meant just the opposite of bad luck. We were so lucky to have known and loved him.
Adjusting to a shelter environment after losing the only home they’ve ever known has taken Pearl and Piper lots of resilience, but these precious felines still have an abundance of affection to share. This beautiful, senior mother-daughter cat duo has spent the past two years in our Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center, patiently waiting. They just need someone to give them a chance.
In collaboration with National Mill Dog Rescue, North Shore Animal League America saved 53 small breed dogs from the inhumane conditions of commercial breeding facilities in the Midwest. The rainy morning of their arrival did not dampen the spirits of all the volunteers, who were enthusiastically waiting to greet the survivors. These resilient canines – including Shih Tzus, Cavapoos, mini Australian Shepherds, Labradoodles, French Bulldogs, Maltese and Havanese – were carried off our Mobile Rescue Unit and into the safety of our Port Washington adoption center to start their new life.
At North Shore Animal League America, we believe in caring for all animals in need, for however long or short a time that may be. Through the support of our Comfort Pet Hospice Care, a part of our Foster Care Program, we are able to provide animals with terminal illnesses the compassionate care they need to live their final days surrounded by love. For a loveable senior tabby named Cutie, the program has been a blessing.
It may not be the best photo in the world (it’s a “screenshot” from a video), but when I saw this image on North Shore Animal League America’s Instagram account, my heart jumped for joy. That smiling face belongs to Eloise, an 8-year-old Beagle mix. On June 24, I reposted NSALA’s appeal to find homes for six senior dogs, including Eloise. A woman named Catherine saw the post, and five days later, Eloise was in Catherine’s car headed to her new home.
Just as important in cold weather, feral cats – also known as community cats –need proper shelter during the summer months. These cats can be particularly vulnerable to extreme temperatures and at risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. That’s why a safe place to rest in a cool, shady spot can make all the difference.
In a world that often feels divided by politics, religion, economics, race, and almost anything else you can name, it warms my heart to realize that some positive things unite us. One of these is our compassion for homeless dogs, cats — and rabbits!