When North Shore Animal League America added two brand new, state-of-the-art mobile units to its fleet at the end of 2005, it seemed a fitting time to rename the expanding program. The Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program is an innovative way to literally bring the League to the public and save more lives.

Our fully equipped Rescue Rovers give us the ability to transport dogs and cats from the League, as well as animals from partner shelters, to more easily accessible locations. This increases the number of potential adoptions by providing access to people who may not otherwise be able to travel to the League or their nearest shelter.

The Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program collaborates with close to 35 organizations in the tri-state area; including New York City's Animal Care & Control shelter system, rescue groups, municipal shelters, and humane societies to save as many lives as possible.

Loaded with dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens just waiting to share their unconditional love with a new family, the Rescue Rovers are always a welcome site as they arrive at their destinations. Our drivers and staff are trained in animal care and use stringent guidelines for processing and approving potential adopters - ensuring that the deserving animals in their care go to the best possible homes.

Several of the groups that the League works with do not have their own shelter facilities making these unique mobile adoption events the only chance their animals have for adoption. The positive feedback we hear from the groups reinforces that our Rescue Rovers are making a real impact. Marion, from Bobbi & the Strays in Ozone Park, New York says the Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program “boosts volunteer spirits with prestige and the simple fact that NSALA cares.” Puppy Love Pet Rescue, a New Jersey based group that finds homes for 15 animals on a weekly basis says, "the visibility of the Rescue Rover, advertising, friendly courteous drivers and the convenience of the adoption vehicle is a tremendous boost to our group."

As a result, the lives of 4,837 animals were saved in 2005. The Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program goal for 2006 is to save 5,800 lives and the Rescue Rover Team is looking forward to increasing the number of adoption events and the addition of more rescue groups, shelters and humane societies.

One of the most impactful examples of the Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program is our annual Tour For Life

In addition to facilitating the adoption of thousands of pets each year, the Rescue Rovers play a critical role during emergencies and disaster relief efforts. We take the Rescue Rovers to locations across the country to aid animal rescue efforts and help with emergency transportation.

Last year, we were one of the first groups to travel to the hardest hit areas of the Gulf Coast and rescued over 1,000 animals from local shelters that had been destroyed by the devastating hurricanes. In the midst of natural disasters and emergencies, communications, including cell phones, can be crippled. With satellite uplink and a laptop onboard the Rescue Rovers, emergency teams can communicate via e-mail and access important information including weather updates.

The Rescue Rover Mobile Adoption Program is committed to saving pets’ lives by making shelter pet adoption accessible to as many people as possible. The expansion of the Rescue Rover fleet and continued growth of the program is just one more way the League's mission to rescue, nurture, and adopt pets into loving homes will be fulfilled.