A pioneer of the no-kill movement, North Shore Animal League America leads the way with program development that increases adoptions and raises awareness about the plight of homeless animals. Stop & Shop has supported this nonprofit organization through the Community Bag Program.
Tell us about North Shore Animal League America.
Founded in 1944, North Shore Animal League America is the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization. Led by Marianne H. Sanders, the organization began rescuing homeless animals in and around the Town of North Hempstead, Long Island. Our mission is to rescue, nurture, adopt and educate the public about the plight of homeless animals and our no-kill mission.
North Shore Animal League America is the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization.
As the organization continued to grow, Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt become more involved in day- to- day operations and helped the organization gain financial stability. Lewyt recruited their neighbor Perry Como as a celebrity chairman of a successful membership drive. We have experienced significant growth in adoptions and are proud of our no-kill mission with generations of adopters in the community and throughout the Tri-State area.
What sets your organization apart from others in your community?
One thing that sets us apart is our multi-faceted veterinary and pet wellness facilities. Our American Animal Hospital Association-accredited Pet Health Centers offer high- quality, affordable veterinary care at a significant discount to the community.
We also have shelter partners across the country and around the world, who we work with, on any number of initiatives, including Tour for Life, Global Pet Adoptathon and emergency rescues.
Another thing that sets us apart, our Mutt-i-grees Curriculum, which includes lesson plans to actively engage students and promote social and emotional competence, academic achievement, and awareness of the needs of shelter pets. The curriculum has touched more than three million students and their families in more than 5,000 school libraries and after-school programs nationwide
Tell us a story that clearly illustrates the good work you are doing.
In 2021 North Shore Animal League America worked with several partnering shelters in the Gulf Coast region bringing a mobile unit to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters. These animals were rescued in advance of Hurricane Ida to make room for animals displaced by the storm and also to distribute critical supplies. We gathered donations of cleaning supplies, water, and pet supplies from the community in the Tri-State area that filled our Mobile Unit to bring to the ravaged areas. We have made follow-up trips to the area to continue our work.
What is your greatest achievement or contribution to the community?
Our no-kill mission which enables Animal League in saving the lives of countless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens while raising the awareness about the importance of rescue and adoption.
What do you want people to know about North Shore Animal League America?
Every time you adopt you save two lives – the one you take home and the one we can rescue and put in its place.
Since 1944, more than 1.1 million animal lives have been saved.
Every time you adopt you save two lives – the one you take home and the one we can rescue and put in its place.
In past years we have found homes for more than 10,000 pets from our Adoption Center and facilitated over 50,000 adoptions around the country working with our network of over 2,000 shelter partners.
If you are not in the position to adopt at this time, you can still help us continue our life-saving work in many ways. You can donate, volunteer, and shop for items on our Amazon Wish List.
How will you use the funds raised from the Community Bag program?
The funds raised will help us to continue to rescue and care for the homeless animals and secure responsible loving homes for them.