About
North Shore Animal League America describes itself as the world's largest and longest running no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Founded in 1944 and headquartered in Port Washington, New York (750 Port Washington Blvd), the organization has saved more than 1,200,000 animals since its founding and has pioneered no-kill principles for over 80 years.
Mission
The organization's mission is summed up in four words: Rescue. Nurture. Adopt. Educate. It envisions a future where companion animals have loving homes free from abuse, hunger, fear, and loneliness, grounded in a belief in the inherent worth of companion animals and in collaboration with rescue partners around the world.
What they do
Its work is organized around four pillars:
- Rescue — saving dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from overcrowded shelters, puppy mills, and emergency situations; its out-of-state rescue program, begun in 1991, has rescued nearly 160,000 animals
- Nurture — providing veterinary care through AAHA-accredited Pet Health Centers; in 2025 this included 4,300 spay/neuter surgeries and more than 34,000 vaccines administered
- Adopt — facilitating adoptions in partnership with a network of over 2,000 shelter partners, including 70,605 adoptions facilitated in 2025
- Educate — promoting resilience and compassion through the Mutt-i-grees curriculum, a PreK-12 social-emotional learning program used by approximately 5,000 schools, libraries, and after-school programs
Additional programs include SpayUSA, a low-cost spay/neuter referral program, the Pet Savers cooperative buying program for shelters, and the Adirondack Region Adoption Center.
Scale and impact
- More than 1,200,000 animals saved since 1944
- 70,605 adoptions facilitated in 2025
- Nearly 160,000 animals rescued through its out-of-state rescue program since 1991
- Roughly 5,000 organizations using the Mutt-i-grees curriculum
Financials
According to IRS Form 990 data compiled by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, North Shore Animal League America reported total revenue of $45.1 million (including $36.6 million in contributions and grants), total expenses of $48.2 million, and year-end total assets of $64.7 million for fiscal year 2023. The IRS granted the organization tax-exempt status in June 1948.
Governance
North Shore Animal League America is a certified 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. Dr. Mark Verdino serves as Senior Vice President and Chief of Veterinary Staff.