As Hurricane Laura was developing into a real threat, our Emergency Rescue Team began reaching out to our partner shelters in Louisiana and Texas to see what help we could provide. As always, supplies were at the top of the list, and clearing the shelters of as many homeless dogs and cats as we could to make room for those that would be displaced from their homes and families by this devastating storm.
The staff waited expectantly as the lifesaving transport pulled onto North Shore Animal League America’s Port Washington, N.Y. campus with 29 tiny kittens aboard, completing their journey to safety. Five of these innocent, young kittens had already been through so much hardship during their short lives. These babies had been abandoned with their mom when the tenant of a rural Virginia property just moved away and left them behind.
North Shore Animal League America often rescues pregnant dogs or dogs with litters of puppies. Two sweet mama dogs arrived with their pups on a rescue transport from Tennessee. Sadly, some of their pups started showing possible signs of canine parvovirus. The ones who tested positive were placed right away in isolation in our Freed Special Recovery Center. Thanks to this vital resource, our special procedures, and amazing staff, there is good news for the pups!
Benji, recruited from puppies saved by North Shore Animal League America from an overcrowded shelter, is the first graduating service dog for Putnam Service Dogs. He gives a new meaning to the phrase “second chances” — Benji the rescue dog is going on to a life dedicated to assisting a person with disabilities other than blindness.
When Little Man and Bella, a pair of bonded Chihuahuas, came to North Shore Animal League on a rescue transport from Texas they had no idea their world was changing for the better. After a short time as office fosters, where they learned to trust and socialize, these devoted siblings soon found themselves in their perfect home.
In the days since the COVID-19 crisis closed our Adoption Center to the public, a skeletal staff of committed employees and volunteers have continued caring for the dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens still being housed at our Port Washington, NY campus. Also, due to their dedication, many animals are getting adopted — even during this difficult time. Since April, 17 long-term adult cats (available for adoption for a year or more) from the Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center have found happy, loving homes.
Amy Huang, part of the Volun-TEEN program at North Shore Animal League America, didn’t just put in her six months of time for high school service credits, she loved every minute while she was here with the animals. She loved it so much that she continued to volunteer past her initial commitment and asked to conduct her senior experience here as well.
Tom Burke stands in front of the training room at North Shore Animal League America and distributes the handouts for the volunteer dog walking class. At the same time, he and Maria D’Agostino talk about their experiences with the dogs on the Port Washington, NY campus. Their smiles light up the room.
During this time of crisis, the world continues to change with an unsettling uncertainty. Yet, as the COVID-19 pandemic pushes the country into another week of quarantine, for the lives of all the animals at North Shore Animal League America it’s just another day in the dog park.
Peaches, a 16-year-old cat with kidney disease and an overactive thyroid, really needed a home to spend her Golden Years. Larissa, a puppy mill survivor awaiting an echocardiogram and possible ear surgery, was hoping for a quiet place while undergoing treatment. Finding the right foster homes for animals in need can be a daunting task. Then, the whole world changed.