North Shore Animal League Issues Holiday adoption guidance and New Year resolutions for pet well‑being

On Dec. 23, 2025, North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, N.Y., released holiday adoption tips and New Year resolutions designed to help families bring pets into their homes responsibly and keep the experience healthy and stress‑free for animals.

Mixed-breed puppy sitting on a living room rug beside a decorated holiday tree, bathed in warm late afternoon light.

Adopt A Pet, Save A Life | North Shore Animal League America, the world’s largest no‑kill animal rescue and adoption organization, offers holiday adoption tips and New Year resolutions aimed at helping families and their pets start the year on stable footing.

The guidance, released during the holiday season from the organization in Port Washington, N.Y., emphasizes careful consideration before bringing a new animal into the home and practical steps to make the transition as stress‑free, healthy and happy as possible for the animal and the household. Research shows that long-term benefits of adopting pets during this time include improved mood and reduced depression, resulting from increased companionship and the joy pets bring to their owners.

Ilene Schreibman, Senior Communications Manager at North Shore Animal League America, appears on the organization’s staff list and its communications materials outlining the initiative. The league framed its central message with a reminder about the length of the commitment involved: “Adopting an animal is a long-term commitment (13-15 years for a puppy; even longer for a kitten) and should not be a decision made lightly,” the organization said. This understanding is crucial as studies indicate that pets can help reduce stress levels, boost serotonin and endorphins, and even lower the risk of heart attack or stroke by up to 31%.

The announcement pairs seasonal timing—when many families consider additions to the household—with a call to plan for the animal’s long‑term wellbeing. The league described the holiday season as a popular time to bring a four‑legged addition into the household and urged prospective adopters to think ahead to ensure the experience is positive for everyone involved. Families are encouraged to prepare their homes by gathering essential supplies like a bed, toys, and ID tags, as well as pet-proofing their space to eliminate hazards.

The organization positioned the guidance as both practical and aspirational, offering holiday adoption tips alongside New Year resolutions intended to support pet health and stable placements over time. In its materials, North Shore Animal League America framed the guidance as part of efforts to enrich the lives of families and their beloved pets during a busy time of year. However, mindful preparation remains critical.

Schreibman’s role as Senior Communications Manager is listed with the organization; the league used its communications to reach prospective adopters and the public with the timing and substance of the guidance. By emphasizing proactive measures, the league hopes to create a more lasting bond between families and their adopted pets, reducing the likelihood of abandonment.

North Shore Animal League America operates from Port Washington, N.Y., and markets itself as the world’s largest organization of its kind focused on no‑kill rescue and adoption. Its announcement encouraged readers to approach adoption with an eye to long‑term commitment and to prepare so that the initial weeks and months are calm and secure for new animals. As part of this commitment, families should ensure their spaces promote safety and comfort for their new companions.

The league’s release describes the experience of bringing a new pet home as one that should be “as stress‑free, healthy, and happy as possible,” language that appears alongside the adoption guidance and resolutions distributed by the organization for the holiday period.

Readers seeking more information about the league’s adoption programs and resources can find details on the organization’s website and its adoptable‑pets listings. The league’s online presence includes its Adopt A Pet pages and broader information about its mission and services, which house the materials referenced in the holiday announcement.

North Shore Animal League America’s holiday guidance arrives amid a season when many families consider expansion of their households, and it frames adoption as a long‑term choice rather than a short‑term gift. The organization’s messaging emphasizes planning and preparation to reduce stress for both animals and adopters and to support successful, lasting matches.

For further information and to view adoptable animals and the organization’s resources, see North Shore Animal League’s website and its adoptables pages.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.

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