As our mobile rescue unit rolled onto our Port Washington, NY campus on Wednesday, August 10, with our dedicated staff standing by to receive the weary four-legged travelers, it seemed like just another day at North Shore Animal League America. But this was not just another day, nor was it just another rescue. This day marked the 50th rescue with our shelter partner, Paws4Life, in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Our partnership with Paws4Life began in the fall of 2020, when we worked together after Hurricane Laura had devastated parts of Louisiana and Texas. Many shelters were in desperate need of supplies and help with their animals. Dealing with the aftermath of the storm and the ongoing pandemic limiting adoptions, Paws4Life worked with local shelters in harder to reach areas to bring their animals to safety and provide anything they needed. “They served as a hub to distribute the supplies that we brought throughout the low-lying gulf coast shelters that our mobile unit could not make it to,” said Ted Moriates, Animal League America Rescue Team Leader, “Before that the shelters would have to bring their animals up north, which was difficult since space was limited.”
Since then, our mobile rescue unit has made the 1500-mile journey 2-3 times a month and returned with 2,229 dogs and cats. We are proud to have worked with this incredible group through natural disasters like Hurricane Laura, Delta, and Ida, as well as the winter storms that ravaged Texas in 2021. Additionally, we conduct regular mobile transports, bringing homeless animals to our campus to be adopted which helps clear room in local shelters so more homeless animals could have a chance for a new beginning.
With today’s transport, we welcomed another 50 dogs, puppies, and kittens. These newly minted Mutt-i-grees will be medically evaluated, pampered by our groomers, and will soon find themselves up for adoption and on their way to loving, responsible homes of their own. All thanks to this amazing partnership.
