With Mother’s Day approaching, we’re celebrating a very special mom — one whose courage, love, and strength carried her family through the harshest of beginnings. Meet Hazel, a two-year-old Australian Cattledog mix, whose heroic story shows the incredible bond between a mother and her babies.
When six tiny, terrier mix puppies were surrendered to our shelter partner Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), they were already fighting a deadly battle. At just 10 weeks old, they had contracted parvovirus — a highly contagious and often fatal disease. Without immediate intervention, their future was grim. That’s when North Shore Animal League America stepped in.
The devastation left behind by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County and beyond has uprooted countless lives — both human and animal. As communities work to rebuild, shelters in California are facing an overwhelming challenge: finding space for the rising number of animals in need. While some shelters had emergency plans in place, others, like Western Riverside County Animal Services and its three affiliated shelters, were already over capacity when the fires began.
Dexter’s journey began nearly a decade ago when he was just a playful puppy, adopted from North Shore Animal League America into what was supposed to be his forever home. But when his family went through a divorce, Dexter was cast aside — left at a shelter in New Jersey, alone and confused.
For eight years, Katie endured a life of hardship at the hands of a commercial breeding facility. Thanks to our partnership with National Mill Dog Rescue, this sweet Maltese was saved and brought to North Shore Animal League America. We soon learned, however, that Katie was pregnant, yet again. We don’t know how many litters Katie had already been forced to bear — all without the comfort of nurturing care or proper medical attention — but we promised her this one would be the last.
Every rescue story shines brighter during the holiday season, a time for hope, love, and second chances — and Claire’s journey is no exception. This brave 2-year-old Chihuahua mix, along with her four young puppies, embodies the spirit of the season. Saved from the brink of tragedy, Claire and her pups were given the gift of life through the compassionate collaboration of our shelter partner, Friends of Jefferson Animals, and the unwavering dedication of our Mobile Rescue Team.
At the heart of North Shore Animal League America’s no-kill mission are stories like Little Betty’s. Only seven months old and pregnant, this precious cat’s life hung in the balance. Through the collaborative efforts of our North Country Initiative (NCI) team in Warren County, NY and our staff and volunteers on Long Island, Little Betty not only survived against all odds but emerged as a symbol of hope for countless animals in need.
Throughout 2024, our rescue team worked tirelessly alongside our partner, National Mill Dog Rescue, to save the lives of hundreds of dogs and puppies from commercial breeding facilities. Animal League America’s Senior Rescue Manager Karla Scaramuzzo explained, “We’ve been doing more commercial breeding rescue transports than usual this past year. With less people buying pets, commercial breeders have been left with a surplus of animals whose lives are at risk.”
When Hurricane Helene unleashed its fury across the southern United States, North Shore Animal League America’s rescue team sprang into action. With shelters in the region already overburdened, the urgency to make room for animals displaced by the storm was critical. Our Mobile Rescue Unit hit the road to come to the aid of our partners.
As our shelter partners in the South continue to deal with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, our Emergency Rescue Team is preparing to head South to offer whatever aid we can, but the journey will take time, and they are already feeling the effects of this storm. Learn how you can help them right now!