I had the pleasure today of speaking with Jayne Vitale, Director of Education and Your Programs, Tommy Frisina, Social Media Outreach Coordinator and Debbie Hibbard, Director of Gift Planning with North Shore Animal League also called Animal League America. Each of these individuals is responsible for a portion of the day to day operations of North Shore Animal League America, located in Port Washington, NY.
Animal League America (ALA) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest animal rescue and adoption organizations. They were founded in 1944 with the guiding principle of Rescue. Nurture. Adopt. They have now added Educate as part of their overall nonprofit vision. As an organization, they value the inherent worth of all companion animals; the richness and complexity of the human-animal bond; and the power of humane education, which is at the heart of their Mutt-i-grees Curriculum.
The organization reports they have saved over 1.1 million animals and counting. They are committed to saving and rehabilitating the lives of homeless animals and educating the public about the joys and responsibilities of rescue. They have more than 2,000 shelter partners across the country and around the globe.
Every animal that comes into one of their facilities receives a high level of care to ready that pet for adoption. In a single year, their staff performed 85,000 exams and vaccinated 65,000 animals.
ALA encourages everyone to consider “Who will care for my pet(s) if something should happen to me?” They suggest when planning for your family’s future, your will or trust should include arrangements for your companion animals. This is a philosophy I whole-heartedly embrace and support! In response to this mission, ALA has created their Safe Haven Surviving Pet Care Program. Although space is limited, they take great pride in offering lifetime care to a cat or dog family member should the need arise.
The Mutt-i-grees Curriculum includes lesson plans to actively engage students and promote social and emotional competence, academic achievement, and awareness of the needs of shelter pets. More than 3 million students and their families have been touched by the Mutt-i-grees Curriculum. This innovative Pre-K-Grade 12 program helps students develop empathy, resiliency, and an awareness of oneself and others, create a more humane future. There are programs tailored for schools, libraries, homes and communities.
There are lots of ways to get involved. You can adopt, donate or volunteer. Find out more here.
