Animal League America’s Emergency and Disaster Rescue Program safely evacuates animals out of harm’s way when disaster strikes.
Our dedicated team is always ready at a moment’s notice to help save animals’ lives, whether they are responding to national emergencies or natural disasters.
Learn about some our biggest Emergency Rescue and Disaster Relief Efforts:
Read About Our Emergency Rescue Efforts
North Shore Animal League America collaborated with rescue partner Lucky Paws Animal Foundation to save cats and kittens impacted by the devastating fires in Maui. On September 10, 17 felines arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport after a long journey from Hawaii, on their way to the safety of our Port Washington campus.
As Kentucky and the surrounding areas deal with the aftermath of the recent tornados that hit the region, our Emergency Rescue Team is reaching out to our local partner shelters affected by the storm. We are prepared to help in any way we can, including rescuing and taking in animals that found themselves displaced from their loved ones. Below is a listing of shelters that can use your support. Some have Amazon Wish Lists where you can order items and send supplies directly to the areas in need.
Though Hurricane Ida has come and gone in most people’s memories, the residents of the Gulf Coast region are still struggling. Electricity remains scarce in some areas, and access to gas and basic household goods is limited. Supported by the generosity of our local community, North Shore Animal League America continues to show up for the people and animals of the region.
On Labor Day, 55 adorable canines exited our Mobile Rescue Unit into the bright sunshine, and into the helping hands of dozens of North Shore Animal League America volunteers and staff. These precious dogs and puppies now have a second chance at life with help from our shelter partner, Paws4Life. They were rescued from Louisiana-area shelters in advance of Hurricane Ida, in order to make room for animals displaced by the storm.
Reeling from devastating winter storms, millions of Texans struggled for survival without heat or clean water. For the state’s many homeless animals living outside or in shelters, the situation was becoming increasingly desperate.
The Emergency Rescue Team at North Shore Animal League America quickly rallied to help. Our Mobile Rescue Unit delivered much needed supplies of pet food and medication to the area, and rescued 24 dogs and puppies from the elements, and possible euthanasia.
On October 23, 2020, our Mobile Rescue Unit pulled into our Port Washington, N.Y. campus from its third lifesaving mission to the hurricane-devastated areas in Louisiana and Texas. It was carrying 37 puppies and dogs and 18 cats and kittens that would have been euthanized as the shelters there are overflowing with animals due to the non-stop storms.
North Shore Animal League America arranged a transport with PAWS4Life that would ultimately open up space in Bossier City Animal Control and other local shelters for animals that would need a haven after the latest devastating hurricane blew through the region. Hurricane Delta, the 10th named storm to make landfall in the United States in 2020, dropped more than 15 inches of rain in parts of Louisiana and Texas.
As Hurricane Laura was developing into a real threat, our Emergency Rescue Team began reaching out to our partner shelters in Louisiana and Texas to see what help we could provide. As always, supplies were at the top of the list, and clearing the shelters of as many homeless dogs and cats as we could to make room for those that would be displaced from their homes and families by this devastating storm.
At just 12-weeks-old, Nubia was surrendered to the overcrowded Animal Care Centers (ACC) in New York City. It was clear she could not bear weight on her right leg. The staff at ACC immediately put out a plea for another shelter to take her in, with the hope they could somehow help this beautiful girl.
An urgent call came in about a young kitten found in a backyard in the Adirondacks that couldn’t walk at all. The staff at the Adirondack Cat Rescue and Adoption Center, part of our North Country Initiative in Glens Falls, N.Y. went immediately to pick her up.
Our Rescue Team arrived back at our Port Washington, NY, campus late Sunday afternoon with more than 50 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens that were saved from the path of Hurricane Dorian and possible euthanasia. Staff and volunteers waited to comfort them and offer food, water, bedding and quiet places where they could rest after their long journey.
Cranberry has been loving life in her new home. So much so, her new family have renamed her “Freyja” after the goddess of love in Norse mythology. “She is doing really well! She's adjusted completely and is already spoiled. She has compete control of the house,” says Mark, Freyja’s newly adopted Dad.
As the Florida Panhandle recovers from the devastation caused by the record-breaking winds and flooding of Hurricane Michael, our Emergency Rescue Team headed south – equipped with a Mobile Rescue Unit stocked with food, water, litter, and essential supplies to aid the people and animals left in the storm’s unforgiving wake.
Our Emergency Rescue Team continues to assist our shelter partners in the Carolinas and the surrounding areas as they rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence. Late last week, the team drove three hours from Charlotte, North Carolina, where they were assisting with the live activation of NASCAR on NBC’s PUP SERIES near Charlotte Motor Speedway, to provide relief to the people and animals at Fayetteville Animal Protection Society.
Located just outside of Houston, Polk County SPCA has been pushed to the limit since Hurricane Harvey hit last year, with an abundance of homeless and displaced animals straining the no-kill shelter’s resources.
As Puerto Rico continues to slowly recover from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Animal League America collaborated with Save A Gato, a non-profit rescue based in Old San Juan, dedicated saving the lives of the cats of the old city.
As the people of Puerto Rico continue to recover and rebuild after the recent series of hurricanes tore through the region causing catastrophic damage, North Shore Animal League America continues to do all we can to lend a helping hand.
As millions of Floridians continue to regroup after Hurricane Irma tore through the state last week, our Emergency Rescue Team is there to provide relief in any way possible.
As millions of Floridians continue to regroup after Hurricane Irma tore through the state last week, our Emergency Rescue Team is there to provide relief in any way possible.
Emergency Rescue Units deployed to assist partner shelter in wake of Hurricane Harvey arrive back from Houston with 57 shelter animals to make room for all of the displaced dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens separated from their families.
Animal League America is Prepared to Aid Shelters Hit by Hurricane Matthew
October 11, 2016: Unfortunately, it seems yet another Animal Welfare Emergency is upon us – Hurricane Matthew.
Picture this; you’re a happy, healthy dog living with your beloved family. You enjoy going out for walks with your pet parents, lounging around the house with your canine siblings, and the sound of your food bowl being filled at dinner time makes your tail wag like the propeller on a Boeing 757 airliner.
Animal League America conducted emergency rescue and relief efforts for the animals and people affected by Hurricane Sandy. After opening our emergency animal shelter on Sunday, October 28 at Mitchel Field in Nassau County, NY, over 400 animals that were displaced when their owners had to evacuate their homes were taken in.
North Shore Animal League America and National Mill Dog Rescue teamed up to help Colorado residents and their pets that were evacuated from their homes due to the dangerous wildfires that ravaged more than 15,000 acres.
In the year following Hurricane Katrina, North Shore Animal League America made thirty six road trips and conducted two unprecedented airlifts, rescuing 1,327 dogs and cats from the impact areas. Many years after the devastating blow dealt by Hurricane Katrina, many of the residents of the Gulf Coast region continue the work of restoring their lives and rebuilding their homes. The Animal League holds steadfast to its promise to help the animals from that area.