Samantha Ketelsen began volunteering at Animal League America during a time of uncertainty, and it quickly became something she couldn’t imagine giving up. “I was laid off in 2020, like a lot of people,” Samantha shared, “and I was just trying to find something meaningful to do. My mom volunteered here before and had a great experience, so I thought, why not? And I just fell in love with it and never stopped going.”
For Alyssa Campbell, a love for animals has always been there, it just took time for the opportunity to catch up. She wasn’t able to have pets in her childhood home, so she found other ways to be close to animals. “I was always the person watching my neighbor’s dog when they went on vacation,” she shared. “I would go to shelters just to spend time with the animals. That was the closest I could get.”
Expanding the World for Shelter Dogs For Kimberly Bayardelle, volunteering at North Shore Animal League America is rooted in a lifelong commitment to rescue. “I’ve had rescue animals since I was little,” she shared. “It started with my parents and grandparents; it’s just always been part of my life. I’ve Read More
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.