Our Story

//Our Story
Our Story2020-12-04T16:47:19-04:00

Founded in 1944, North Shore Animal League America has grown into the world’s largest, most comprehensive, rescue and adoption organization. View our timeline to see how far our little shelter has come.

Our Life Saving Lineage

1944

Roots of Rescue

North Shore Animal League and Dog Protective Association, Inc., led by animal advocate Marianne H. Sanders, begins rescuing homeless animals in and around the Town of North Hempstead, Long Island. The Association dedicates itself to the no-kill philosophy.

1945

Rubber Meets the Road to Rescue

Rubber Meets the Road to Rescue

Buys first vehicle, a station wagon.

1953

Building a Foundation

Acquires two lots and a house in Port Washington; begins planning shelter construction.

1956

Expansion = Limitless Opportunities

Shelter is completed; group purchases local homes to expand offices.

1960

Keeping Our No-Kill Promise

As Long Island grows, the Association must choose between handling animal control and remaining no-kill. It chooses no-kill. As a result, it loses lucrative animal control contracts and suffers a serious drop in revenue.

1969

Lewyt Family Creates Lasting Legacy

Name changes to North Shore Animal League, Inc. Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt become more involved in day-to-day operations, helping the Association regain financial stability. Lewyts recruit their neighbor, popular singer and dog-lover Perry Como, as celebrity chairman of a successful membership drive. Alex Lewyt becomes President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

1974

Life Saving Movement Begins

Life Saving Movement Begins

Elisabeth Lewyt begins driving her “Love-A-Pet” van from pound to pound to rescue pets, paying $12 a piece for each dog the pounds will release.

1978

The Birth of Compassionate Care

The Birth of Compassionate Care

Establishes small medical center on the premises.

1980

Broadening Our Reach

Humanely relocates animals from the ASPCA in New York City and other municipal shelters on Long Island to the safety of its no-kill shelter.

1982

Puppies Make Everyone Smile

Launches Shelter Pet Outreach Program (SPOT). Volunteers and associates visit nursing homes, senior citizen centers, and other sites where therapy dogs and cats bring joy and comfort to residents.

1987

Faithful Volunteers Spark a Movement

Elisabeth Lewyt’s Pound Rescue Team grows from one volunteer to dozens, saving thousands of animals from municipal shelters.

1988

A Passing of the Torch

Alex Lewyt dies. Elisabeth Lewyt is named Chairperson of the Board of Directors, a position she holds until her death.

1991

Our Campus Grows

Celebrates grand opening of new Adoption Center and Alex Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center.

A New Era Of Rescue Begins

A New Era Of Rescue Begins

Launches nationwide National Shelter Relocation Program, the first to work with overcrowded shelters in the South, welcoming animals slated for euthanasia. Today this program is widely imitated, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

1992

Networking to Save Lives

Networking to Save Lives

Launches The Pet Savers® Foundation with a revolutionary cooperative advertising program supporting local advertising and providing advertising grants for small shelters to encourage adoptions. First such ad campaign in the country.

1993

A New Leader Emerges

A New Leader Emerges

J. John Stevenson becomes President.

Spearheading the Spay/Neuter Movement

Spearheading the Spay/Neuter Movement

Introduces SpayUSA®, the first and largest nationwide network providing referral and information about affordable spay/neuter services.

Remembering Our Seniors

Remembering Our Seniors

Develops Seniors for Seniors® Program, which enables senior citizens to adopt well-matched senior pets, with some veterinary costs covered.

1995

First-of-its-Kind Adoption Event Saves 525 Lives

First-of-its-Kind Adoption Event Saves 525 Lives

Conducts first annual Pet Adoptathon®, saving 525 lives. Today it is the Global Pet Adoptathon®, reaching around the world and saving tens of thousands.

1997

All Animals Deserve a Chance at Life

Establishes monthly donation Pet Sponsorship Program, providing ongoing care for special-needs animals.

1998

Rolling Into A Lifesaving Future

Rolling Into A Lifesaving Future

Acquire the first state-of-the-art Mobile Adoption Unit.

1999

Mobile Adoption Units Create Limitless Possibilities

Mobile Adoption Units Create Limitless Possibilities

Uses new Mobile Adoption Unit. to pioneer two off-site adoption programs: Mobile Adoption Program (MAP), which transports our pets to high-traffic areas, leading to countless adoptions; and Cooperative Adoption Program (CAP), through which we share our mobile units with small rescue groups and shelter partners, saving even more lives.

2000

North Shore Animal League Expands Across America

North Shore Animal League Expands Across America

Name changes to North Shore Animal League America, Inc., reflecting growing national scope of programs.

2001

Inaugural Tour For Life® Spans the Country

Inaugural Tour For Life® Spans the Country

With Purina as sponsor, completes first Tour for Life®. A single mobile unit travels “From the Golden Gate to the Empire State,” saving more than 200 animals. Purina also becomes the sponsor of our Global Pet Adoptathon®.

2002

Expanding the Fleet

Expanding the Fleet

Laura J. Niles Foundation donates funding for second mobile adoption unit.