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.
Our Life Saving Lineage
A Lifesaving Milestone Reached
Puppy Mill Rescue efforts exceed 2,500 lives saved.
Felines Are Mutts!
The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum introduces Cats Are Mutt-i-grees 2, broadening the scope of this popular humane education program.
Cats and Coffee: The Pur-fect Pairing
League joins with PurinaOne® to host America’s first Cat Café, leading to many “cat’acchinos” and the adoption of 24 adult cats.
Lifesaving Leadership In The Classroom
The Curriculum introduces the Mutt-i-grees National Student Ambassadors Program to recognize caring student advocates and to encourage more students to work for shelter pets across the country.
The Kick Off Of A Winning Tradition
League joins with Hallmark Channel to air first annual Kitten Bowl.
Taking The Initiative For Felines
Launch of the North Country Initiative (NCI) in upstate New York. Program takes multi-pronged, no-kill, sustainable approach to feline overpopulation in the region.
A New Campaign For Compassion
Launch Get Your Rescue On® campaign to encourage everyone to make rescue a part of life.
On The Path To A No-Kill Future
We announce the addition of the word Educate to our mission — Rescue, Nurture, Adopt, Educate — in recognition of our commitment to humane education and the evolution of the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.
Lifesaving Miles With Our Friends At Purina
Our 15th Annual Tour For Life, sponsored once again by Purina, covers 19,000 miles and helps 1,758 pets find responsible, loving homes.
Growing A Global Adoptathon
Our 21st annual Global Pet Adoptathon generates more than 25,000 adoptions worldwide, including 481 during our 36-hour kickoff weekend at our Long Island Adoption Center.
Partnering With Hallmark Channel
Beth Stern hosts February’s Kitten Bowl II and July’s Paw Star Game on Hallmark Channel.
A New Chapter for Mutt-i-grees
The Curriculum forges a new relationship with the New York Public Library and its 92 locations throughout the city.
A New Facility For Healing
In February the Freed Special Recovery Center opens, offering secure and comfortable isolation to protect our pet population and speed healing.
Canines In The Classroom
Launched in 2010, the Mutt-i-grees School Dog Programs expands to include 42 schools in the New York City public school system. Schools in Arkansas, New Jersey, Connecticut, and many other states have also introduced School Dogs.
Recognition Of Medical Excellence
North Shore Animal League America’s Pet Health Center earns the accreditation from the prestigious American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Fewer than 15 percent of animal hospitals in the U.S. hold this distinction.
Cat-letes Reach Millions
Kitten Bowl III reaches more than 1.3 million “furball” fans, thanks to Volunteer, Foster Parent, and National Spokesperson Beth Stern and our friends at Hallmark Channel. Kitten Bowl Parties at shelters across the country lead to many adoptions. Hallmark also broadcasts Kitten Summer Games, reaching a huge audience.
Responding To Disaster
Emergency Response Team assists victims of natural disasters in Louisiana and North Carolina.
We’re Reaching Around The World
Global Pet Adoptathon reaches all 50 states and every continent in the world — except Antarctica! — to generate an amazing 39,658 adoptions.
International Rescue Grows
Our International Rescue Program saves 346 dogs — from the Cayman Islands to Moscow — including pups from Thailand who were in danger of becoming victims of the dog meat trade.
Kudos For The Curriculum
The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum is selected as one of 100 most innovative educational programs globally by HundrED. It is named as one of the 25 best social and emotional learning programs in the country by Harvard University and the Wallace Foundation.
A Home Of Its Own
We open a new adoption center in Glens Falls, N.Y., to support the work of the Northern Country Initiative (NCI). Called the Adirondack Region Cat Rescue and Adoption Center, the 4,300-square-foot facility can accommodate up to 50 felines.
Moving Forward For Felines
A groundbreaking ceremony for Bianca’s Furry Friends Feline Adoption Center marks the start of construction.
A New Online Look
We debut our exciting new, user friendly website.
Raising Our Social Media Presence
Sound the trumpets: Our Facebook followers reach the one million mark!
Stand With Us!
Our petition against the Yulin (China) Dog Meat “Festival” generates nearly 60,000 signatures from around the world. In addition, our International Rescue Program transports 16 dogs from the horrors of the Yulin (China) Dog Meat “Festival” to the safety of our Adoption Center. We also continue to rescue from Thailand.