If there’s one thrilling silver lining to COVID-19, it’s the positive effect it’s having on Mother Nature. The message is clear: nature is willing and able to rejuvenate itself. All we have to do is recognize our role for both good and bad and step aside, even a little, and things will improve. Planet Earth has a lot to teach us about hope and resilience.
North Shore Animal League America, working together with the Southwest Georgia Animal Rescue and Transport, welcomed 60 dogs and cats to our Port Washington, NY campus. These innocent animals were in serious danger of euthanasia plus in the path of the terrible tornados that tore through the southern states the week before.
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.
Life has never felt as fragile as it does right now. Everything has changed, and I keep wondering what the world will be like a year from now. But it doesn’t pay to look too far ahead these days, so I’m trying to stay “in the moment.” And with every moment I give thanks that I’m safe in a home that I love, with Howard, our sweet resident cats, and all of my beautiful fosters. To be honest, I’m jealous sometimes of how innocent these cats and kittens are, blissfully unaware of the terrible state of the world.
Every other Friday, without fail, Jennifer and Arianna Levine can be seen selecting puppies at North Shore Animal League America for their visits to the Queens Centers for Progress as part of our Shelter Pet Outreach Team (SPOT). They say that they wouldn’t want to spend these two days any other way — they get to bring puppies to people who need their warmth and comfort and brighten their day.
Jill Marcus first thought about volunteering five years ago when her last cat passed away. Jill felt that she wanted to put her “animal energy into helping homeless cats and getting them adopted” rather than having more pets of her own. Today, Jill makes a real difference by spending quality time with our rescued cats.
My heart goes out to everyone as we struggle together with the spread of COVID-19 causing a national health crisis. I truly hope that the information below helps keep you, and your pets, safe during the upcoming weeks. I wish everyone well. I know that we’ll all get through this crisis together—along with our pets!