People say that 2020 is the year we all want to forget...but will always remember. It’s true: 2020 was tough. But despite the challenges, I find myself remembering many of the year’s surprising silver linings, like the people who decided to make working from home truly meaningful by fostering homeless pets. And then there were all those great adoptions.
As 2020 finally drew to a close, at North Shore Animal League America we once again witnessed that not even the smallest creatures could escape the hardship of this most difficult year. Pregnant and due any day, Audrey was rescued off the street by one of our partner shelters in Georgia, who then reached out to us for help. There was no time to waste, especially when pregnant dogs are often the first to be euthanized at overcrowded municipal shelters.
Zeus, a sweet, lovable Hound mix, was rushed to North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Health Centers in critical condition. His back legs were suddenly paralyzed and he couldn’t take even a single step on his own. “Zeus presented to the Pet Health Centers unable to use his back legs. Our main concern was getting him the specialty care he needed as soon as possible. With spinal injuries, treatments must be started immediately or they may not work,” stated Dr. Katarina Valen, Staff Veterinarian. “Despite this, he wagged his tail and gave out generous kisses to everyone who walked by.”
As many are looking forward to the end of a year that has seen unprecedented loss, we at North Shore Animal League America are committed to our no-kill mission. For the month of December we expect to bring in almost 300 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. In a year where we have had to scale back our rescue missions due to the ongoing global pandemic, we did not stop our lifesaving work and continued to do all we could to save more animals.
Daisy had struggled throughout all of her young life, which began in a puppy mill in the Midwest. When she arrived on our Mobile Rescue Unit in late March, our Veterinary team found that Daisy’s biggest struggle has yet begun — this one would mean the difference between life and death.
As the weather turns colder you may be concerned for the feral cats in your neighborhood. Sylvia Ottaka, Senior Director of Rescue and Community Outreach at North Shore Animal League America, offers some advice on the best way to create DIY cat shelters to help them handle the winter season.
Klinger and Radar — the last of the four dogs rescued from a dog meat farm in Korea through North Shore Animal League America’s partnership with K9 Global Rescue — were adopted this year. Our Pet Behavior Team, having spent time helping them adjust to life in the U.S., was so happy and excited to see them go to their perfect homes.
His name is Rudy. He’s technically homeless, but he eats several meals a day, usually beginning early at our house and then sauntering next door for another meal. He’s no dummy, and he seems content with his life. Still, whenever I walk by our mudroom door and see a big orange head looking in, I open the door and ask him to join our indoor family. He always refuses, but I’ll always keep asking!
The enticing aroma of a Thanksgiving dinner cooking would make anyone want to sneak a taste, even our pets. And all the hustle bustle in the kitchen can make it fairly easy for them to do. But many of the things we enjoy on this festive occasion are not always good for dogs and cats. That’s why it’s important to take extra steps to ensure the safety of our pets, especially as we head into the holiday season.
North Shore Animal League America lost a caring, compassionate friend and a valued member of its Board of Directors when Dr. Gerald Tirozzi passed away on November 1, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona.