Our Story

Our Story2025-05-15T11:54:22-04:00

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.

2024
Oct 19
Supporters Step Up for Walk & Wag
a group of people walking with dogs
a dog on a leash being fed by a hand
two men sitting on a sidewalk with a dog
a group of people standing next to a food truck
a dog standing on a rock
a group of people walking a dog
a group of people at a market
two women with dogs by a body of water

Our 8th annual national Walk & Wag Fundraising Challenge united animal lovers from 90 cities and 22 states to raise over $100,000 for homeless animals. The Challenge culminated with a finale in NYC, where participants enjoyed a vendor fair and 3-mile walk along Hudson River Park.

2025
Mar 11
Going the Distance to Help California’s Displaced Pets
a group of people standing next to a plane with cages
a dog in a cage
a group of people standing next to a row of boxes
two dogs in a crate
a man holding a dog
a black dog looking up
a group of people posing for a photo

Following the catastrophic wildfires in California, our Rescue Team transported 42 dogs and puppies, by air and Mobile Rescue Units, from overcrowded shelters to the safety of our Port Washington, NY campus.

Apr 15
Tour for Life® Celebrates 25 Years of Rescue on the Road
a truck with a group of people in the background
a group of people posing for a photo
a man and woman holding a dog and a baby
a woman holding a box
a woman with pink hair and a dog
two women holding a cat and smiling

For its 25th anniversary, Tour for Life brought our Mobile Adoption Units to 67 cities across 39 states, partnering with local shelters to find loving homes for thousands of animals. Sponsored by Lifeproof™ with Petproof™ Technology, and with support from Nutrish™, this lifesaving tour de force showcased the power of collaboration in animal rescue.

May 01
Global Pet Adoptathon® Kicked Off on Giving Day
a dog and cat sitting together
a group of people posing for a picture with a dog and a man
a group of women holding a dog
a woman and boy standing next to a sign

Giving Day on May 1 marked the launch of Global Pet Adoptathon Month. Opening weekend festivities on our Port Washington, NY campus featured adoption specials, food, fun and games, and included a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Met! In two days, hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies and kittens went home with enthusiastic adopters. 

Jun 12
A Night for Rescue to Shine Bright
a logo with a dog in the background
a group of people sitting around a table
a group of people playing instruments on a rooftop
a group of people posing for a photo
a woman holding a dog
a large room with many people sitting at tables
a man kneeling on his knee and a woman standing at a podium with a dog
two women holding a trophy
a group of people on a stage

Supporters gathered at the Tribeca Rooftop in NYC to celebrate animal rescue and lives transformed. The evening was filled with inspiring stories and lively entertainment while raising critical funds for our no-kill mission. Some photos by Amy Mayes Photography.

Jun 13
No Distance Too Far to Save Lives
a man standing on a ladder next to an airplane
a group of dogs behind a fence
a dog in a cage
a man petting a dog in a cage
a woman holding a dog

In a second lifesaving effort, we returned to California to rescue dogs at risk of euthanasia in shelters overwhelmed with displaced animals.

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