Dear Friends,

It is almost impossible to properly convey the joy that helping innocent animals gives us. For more than 65 years, this has been our passion, and this has been our mission. It is said that vision without action is a daydream; action without vision is a nightmare. At North Shore Animal League America, we're prepared to take action and we most definitely have a vision. In 2008, we launched the American Mutt-i-grees Club™, a campaign that focuses on all of the unique and wonderful qualities of mixed-breed dogs, the exact kind you find in shelters. This vision strives to educate the general public that shelter pets are the best and only life-saving choice when acquiring a pet, and it aspires to drive more potential adopters to where they are needed most.

The American Mutt-i-grees Club™ will not only change how mixed-breed dogs are regarded, it will help people make the right choice - the choice to adopt mixed-breed puppies and adult dogs from overcrowded shelters everywhere.

Adopting a Mutt-i-gree from a shelter makes the statement that it is unacceptable to buy a puppy from a pet store that's supplied by the unbelievably cruel trade of purebred puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeders. Stopping these continued sources of cruelty could save millions of puppies and adult dogs from being destroyed each year.

We are confident that the American Mutt-i-grees Club™ will draw pet lovers to shelters world-wide, resulting in increased shelter adoptions as well as the happiness and joy only having a shelter pet can bring.

All that we have accomplished, as well as all we plan to do in the future would not be possible without the continued generosity of our supporters. On behalf of every animal we care for, thank you; for love and life are the most precious gifts of all.

Sincerely,

J. John Stevenson
President, North Shore Animal League America