We're getting ready for our 7th annual Walk & Wag, to bring the animal loving community together nationwide to fundraise for homeless animals in need. This year we're doing the Walk & Wag 30-Mile Facebook Challenge from September 1 to 30, 2023. Are you up for the challenge?
From early childhood days spent snuggling with her beloved stuffed animals, Alana knew one day she would spend her time around real ones as much as possible. When she was old enough to volunteer, choosing where to donate her time was easy. Alana was drawn to North Shore Animal League America because of our world-renowned reputation and no-kill mission, and she signed up to join the VolunTEEN program.
In January 2010, our launch of the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum welcomed 40 educators from Fenton Charter schools in Los Angeles California that participated in the 1st Mutt-i-grees training in New York. During the visit one educator fell in love with a very special rescue dog, Jeter. It wasn't long before this sweet dog became an integral part of the school community.
After 35 years teaching middle schoolers, Suzanne Sutley wanted to direct the skills she had honed during her career to a new purpose. In 2020, she found the perfect outlet when she began volunteering at our Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center. What Suzanne didn’t realize until later was just how much cats and eighth graders have in common.
Anyone meeting Jossie will be immediately struck by her infectious positivity and energy. Happily North Shore Animal League America has had the benefit of her time over the past year and Jossie is the first to say it has had a positive impact on her life off our campus as well.
After spending his career working in the county court system, Tom Audette knows how to keep things running smoothly, and deeply appreciates the advantages of being around canines. “What’s not to love about this?” Tom commented as he snuggled an adorable pup in his arms. “When I was working it was definitely therapeutic to be around puppies on a Saturday!”
The rescue team at the North Country Initiative Adirondack Cat Adoption Center (NCI) in Warren County, NY, does not shy away from a challenge. When they were informed of a large population of cats living in a salvage yard who needed their help, the team leapt into action. The environment, however, presented some unique challenges.
Saved as part of a National Mill Dog Rescue mission in February that included 50 small breed dogs, young Tillie had already proven herself to be a survivor. Life in a commercial breeding facility, like the one Tillie was rescued from, typically means inhumane conditions where dogs are treated solely as commodities. We were thankful to have this sweet Silky Terrier girl in our care, and shortly realized her condition was more complex. Though barely a year old herself, Tilly was pregnant. Given her young age and diminutive size, we knew that it was possible she could struggle with delivery.
Thanks to the ingenuity from our North Country Initiative Adirondack Region Cat Adoption Center (NCI), we are excited to announce a new part of the Mutt-i-grees® Curriculum that will help us save more lives — the Mutt-i-grees School Cat Foster Program.
Growing up in Texas, Animal League America donor Mary Marecek always had animals around, whether they were dogs, cats, or horses. It was the bond she forged with her cat, Trilby, however, when Mary was only six years old, that really started her appreciation for the unconditional love from pets and the depth of the human-animal connection.