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
Throughout the summer of 2021 and into early fall, the Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Veterinary Medical Center underwent much-needed renovations, including the installation of a new roof and HVAC system. These changes ensure the air quality is hospital-level. In addition, the Medical Center now boasts brand-new flooring, ceilings and lighting, and a color scheme more appropriate for a hospital setting. Expanded cabinetry and supply space is also contributing to improved workplace efficiency. Future remodeling phases will include the waiting and reception area.
On November 18, 2021, Animal League America held the second virtual Celebration of Rescue. The celebration showcased our inspiring rescue efforts, in addition to a variety of entertainment that included celebrity guest appearances, an auction with a range of unique items and one-of-a-kind experiences, a cooking demonstration by vegan chef Matt Korsky, an original performance by The Pretty Reckless, and a video from the Grammy Award-winning band Train, inspired by Animal League America. The virtual format enabled 655 friends of Animal League America from across the country to participate, bid, and donate. Viewers tuned in from 41 states, and even from Canada and the UK. An inspiring evening was had by all, while helping us save even more incredible dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens!
North Shore Animal League America came out on top at the first annual LI Choice Awards, winning in THREE categories: Best Nonprofit Organization, Best Veterinarian, and Best Animal Adoption/Rescue Services. The LI Choice Awards, presented by PSEG Long Island, were created by Herald Community Newspapers in order to “celebrate and recognize the best Long Island has to offer.”
The sun was shining on the Monarch Rooftop in NYC on June 6 for the fourth annual Wooftop, where friends of North Shore Animal League America helped kick off our Giving Day fundraising event. Supporters were rewarded with puppy love, in addition to great food, specialty cocktails, and live entertainment.
Supporters participated in the sixth annual Walk & Wag – both virtually from across the country, as well as in-person for our event in NYC. Walkers and their furry pals who joined us at Hudson River Park enjoyed the stunning view, vendors, and entertainment before embarking on the three-mile stroll along the waterfront.
September 2022 marked the fifth anniversary of the North Country Initiative Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center in Glens Falls, NY, and their mission to help community cats and reduce overpopulation. To date, the NCI team has provided hands-on rescue and assistance to 5,000 felines in desperate need.
One of the most destructive storms in Florida’s history, Hurricane Ian left residents struggling in its wake. As always in times of crisis, Animal League America mobilized its resources to help, bringing people together and forging new partnerships in the process.
Running the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon as part of Team Animal League was a dedicated group of 30 athletes, who trained while raising money to support Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center. Team member Tom Zukowski was honored with the Crystal Collar Award® for his longstanding commitment to North Shore Animal League America.
Helping local communities care for community has long been an important tenet of our mission. The Center provides access to related information and supplies, and encourages the approach of Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return. Local dignitaries attended the opening of the newly renovated building and presented citations that honored our efforts in the community.
The first-ever “Great American Rescue Bowl” premiered February 12 on the Great American Family Channel. Hosted by North Shore Animal League America spokesperson, board member, and foster parent Beth Stern and pet rescue expert Larissa Wohl, the two-hour special brought viewers behind-the-scenes with emotional stories of animal rescue, fostering and adoption.
More than 28,000 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens across the country have been adopted since Tour For Life – the world’s largest cooperative pet adoption event – launched 23 years ago. This year, adoption events with our shelter partners took place in 66 cities and towns, across 39 states.
Presented in partnership with Rachael Ray® Nutrish®, this lifesaving event found loving, responsible homes for thousands of shelter and rescue pets throughout the month of May, teaming up with our more than 2,000 shelters and rescue groups worldwide.
Jeter, the first-ever Mutt-i-grees School Dog, was a hero to the thousands of children. After serving the school community for more than 12 years, Jeter sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He will be missed but will always be remembered by those lives he touched.
Supporters turned out in force to kick off our 2023 Giving Day in style at The Standard Hotel in NYC. Representatives from Fetch Pet Insurance were also on hand to receive our Crystal Collar Award®, in honor of their long-standing partnership and dedication to Animal League America.
Working in partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, multiple transports throughout the year have saved over a hundred dogs from commercial breeding facilities throughout the Midwest. These precious canines, who were at risk of being euthanized, now have a new beginning and the care they deserve.
At the Crescent Beach Club in Bayville, NY, we celebrated DOGust 1st, the universal birthday of all rescue dogs, with a paw-some beach party! We also had the honor of presenting our Crystal Collar Award® to Mark and John Cronin, co-founders of John’s Crazy Socks.
Animal League America’s Shelter Pet Outreach Team (SPOT) connects rescue animals with those in need of solace and companionship. Their efforts reached new heights when a group of veterans from the New York State Veterans Home at St. Albans made an unforgettable trip to our Adoption Center.
Throughout the month of September, our animal-loving community from around the world took part in helping save homeless dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens by walking 30 miles in 30 days and raising funds and awareness along the way.
On November 17, North Shore Animal League America’s annual Celebration of Rescue drew together a constellation of personalities from across New York’s animal-loving community – as well as supporters both in person and virtually from around the globe – to champion Animal League America’s no-kill mission.
North Shore Animal League America has been at the forefront of the no-kill movement for eight decades. Now the largest and longest-running no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization in the world, we continue to use our mission of Rescue, Nurture, Adopt and Educate to save the lives of animals in need.
For the second year, North Shore Animal League America teamed up with Great American Family network to air the Great American Rescue Bowl on Super Bowl Sunday. Over 100 shelter partners also hosted Rescue Bowl watch parties and events, all with one shared goal: finding responsible, loving homes for our winning pets!
The world’s largest mobile cooperative lifesaving pet adoption event, this month-long initiative — supported by Rachael Ray Nutrish® — saved lives from coast to coast. We collaborated with shelters and rescue groups in 60 cities and towns across 37 states and facilitated more than 2,300 adoptions.
Global Pet Adoptathon, sponsored by Swiffer™ and supported by Rachael Ray® Nutrish®, kicked off on May 4 to begin our annual adoption celebration. Visitors enjoyed games, food trucks and fantastic vendors, and most importantly had the opportunity to meet and adopt their new best friends.
Supporters from near and far came together on June 14 to help celebrate 80 years of our lifesaving work. Tribeca 360 provided a backdrop of breathtaking views of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River, while the energy, enthusiasm and generosity of our guests made the night truly magical.