Faces of the League

When a powerful winter storm swept across Long Island overnight Sunday, February 22, into Monday, February 23, it left an unforgettable mark on the region. By morning, more than two feet of snow had blanketed the area — the most intense local blizzard in almost a decade — transforming Port Washington into a landscape of towering drifts and buried streets. While much of the community hunkered down to ride out the storm, our Snow Emergency Team geared up for what was ahead, preparing cots to stay overnight at the shelter since the roads would be impassable for anyone else trying to reach our campus.

For high school senior Grace, volunteering at North Shore Animal League America started as a school requirement, but quickly became something much more. “I always knew I wanted to volunteer at an animal shelter,” Grace told us. “When I had to complete service hours for class, I saw it as my chance. I had adopted a cat from Animal League America before and loved the organization. Once I started volunteering, I knew I wasn’t going to stop.”

For Saarah Shahid, volunteering at North Shore Animal League America was a natural step, inspired by a lifelong connection to animals. “I’ve always felt a special connection to animals, and I’ve wanted to help them in any way I can,” she shared.

For Gloria, the joy of seeing a once-homeless pet walk out the door with a loving family never fades. “Even after all these years, I still get excited when an older or hard-to-place animal gets adopted. That moment — that’s why I’m here.”

Growing up, there was never a time when a four-legged friend wasn’t part of Cliff’s household. When he retired after 35 years of service as a fire prevention and building codes official, he knew he wanted to spend his time giving back — and he knew it had to involve dogs. That decision led him to North Shore Animal League America, where for the past four and a half years, he has been a dedicated volunteer, helping our canine residents on their journey toward adoption.

When Norma McKinney Meeks passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving evening at her home in Ashland, Kentucky, North Shore Animal League America lost a friend, a colleague, and an inspiration. As an energetic and creative member of our community since the early 1990s, Norma combined her lifelong concern for animals with her expertise as an award-winning educator to promote adoption and humane education.

With a heart full of love for animals and a desire to make a difference, Richard Cogan has been part of North Shore Animal League America’s mission since 2022. His journey into volunteering with the organization stems from a personal connection to both the cause and the furry companions he serves.

From an early age, Enya knew she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps and volunteer at North Shore Animal League America, but first she had to wait until she turned 16. Now she is enrolled in our VolunTEEN program and loving every minute of it.

Since 2012, Michiko has given her time to benefit the well-being of our felines at North Shore Animal League America. Michiko’s love for cats began during her childhood in Japan, with a mischievous four-legged companion who stole her heart. Michiko was devastated when her parents gave the cat away, but miraculously her beloved pet escaped and found his way home; cementing her lifelong passion for cats and the enduring bonds we form with them.

At a staff celebration in honor of our seventh year of American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accreditation, Animal League America’s Senior Vice President & Chief of Veterinary Staff Dr. Mark Verdino emphasized that this recognition validates our unwavering commitment to providing the highest level of medical care to all our patients.