April is the cruelest month, the poet says. But for us, the most emotional month we’ve had in a long time was March. While our fosters bring us tremendous joy, they sometimes break our hearts too. In March, with our hospice foster Dignity and our beautiful Mama Cherry Blossom, the great circle of life played out in detail and drama right before our eyes.
North Shore Animal League America lost a caring, compassionate friend and a valued member of its Board of Directors when Roger Weeks passed away on March 27, 2021 in Colchester, United Kingdom. Roger was appointed as Director for North Shore Animal League America in 2008.
Having grown up in a family where pets of many varieties were always present, sisters Bailey and Chelsea fell naturally into volunteer work at North Shore Animal League America. We are so thankful that both our dog and cat Adoption Centers benefit from the passion that Bailey and Chelsea bring to their service on behalf of our animals.
Ivonne Attard began volunteering as a dog walker, and since then continues to expand her knowledge about pet behavior and training. “As volunteers, we are the closest thing to family that these dogs will get until they get a home. I feel like it’s like our obligation to help them understand that humans are good people.”
Looking into her big, gentle brown eyes, you would never guess what cruelty this sweet dog has suffered. While living in Louisiana, Jabba was neglected and left tied up outside for months on end. When her back leg became wrapped in some wire, her owners did nothing to help her. The wire became so tight that it cut off circulation to the leg, and soon the limb died.
Leonard and Jackie have been loyal and engaged supporters since adopting their dog Eva in 2013. North Shore Animal League America is as fortunate as Eva is to have the compassion and heartfelt care the couple have brought to us. They feel that if there was no Animal League America, they would not have Eva in their lives. She certainly has become a vital member of the family and has brought such love into their home.
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, North Shore Animal League America, like other shelters across the country, experienced a wave of people wishing to foster or adopt dogs and cats. However, we also noticed that there was a shift in which types of animals were getting adopted faster — wonderfully, it was those who were often overlooked because they had special needs.
On March 9, 2021, North Shore Animal League America had the honor of hosting a Purr-fect Party to celebrate five-year-old cancer survivor, Cassidy. Cassidy is an ambassador for Stop & Shop’s Help Cure Childhood Cancer campaign, which raises money for the Pediatric Program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. “Cassidy is such a special little girl, and so full of empathy for others,” said Maura O’Brien, Stop & Shop External Communications and Community Relations Manager. “We wanted to make this day memorable for her, and her whole family.”
Twelve months ago, few of us even thought about words like lockdown, quarantine, face mask, self-isolation, and social distancing. Today, of course, they’re part of our everyday conversations. The global pandemic has changed so much in our world, some things for the better and other things, well, not so much. For me — on the bright side — being home has given me more time to bond with our resident cats, plus I’m able to spend lots of quality time with my fosters. For that, I’m grateful.
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.