The holiday season is upon us, a time for families and friends to get together to share some cheer and good food. Our furry friends are never hard to find during this time of year, usually sitting right by our feet to catch any delicious treat that might hit the floor. While we may have a second helping of apple pie or sweet potato casserole, our dogs and cats should steer clear of these and other ingredients found in holiday treats.
Author: Emma Kronish
Join Us This Giving Tuesday
2020 has been a year like no other. Many people have endured unprecedented hardships and my heart breaks for each and every person who has struggled this year.
I have been reflecting on what is important in life. The health and safety of my loved ones and the causes I care most about. For me, the health and safety of animals remains a priority because I know how much animals are suffering amidst the global crisis we are currently facing.
This holiday season, I ask those who can, to stand with us on Giving Tuesday. This global day of giving provides an opportunity for all to start the holiday season by supporting the causes near and dear to their hearts.
As with any humanitarian crisis, animals are suffering even more than humans right now. Globally, pets have been abandoned because of decimated family finances, dogs and cats who scavenge for food on the streets of developing countries no longer have restaurant dumpsters or tourists to depend on for a bite to eat, and abuse is rampant as desperate people take out their fear and anger on innocent animals.
On Giving Tuesday, the week after Thanksgiving, please consider giving whatever you can to help animals in need. SPCA International exists to connect animal lovers like you with the most pressing animal welfare needs around the globe.
Since March, the calls and emails have been constant. Shelters and rescue groups are on the brink of collapse. They are lacking volunteers, can’t complete international adoptions, have lost local financial support or simply can’t find the food and supplies they need to serve the influx of animals who need them. This year, your generosity will mean more than ever to the shelters and rescue groups working to keep feeding, sheltering and healing the hungry, homeless and hurt animals all around the world.
2020 Holiday Gifts – SPCA International Staff Picks
Whether you are shopping for animal lovers or furry family members, this list has something for everyone! Our SPCA International staff members have shared their favorite pet-centric gifts to make your holiday shopping a little easier. We hope you love these gifts as much as we do.
Canines of New York by Heather Weston is a charming book of some of the best pet photography we have ever seen! This fun book is great for dog lovers everywhere and captures the personality of New York through the canines who live there. This book is a joy to page through and even includes a forward from the photographer with her best doggy photography tricks.
What’s better than enjoying wildlife at home? Watching wildlife dining at a cute picnic table! This cedar picnic table squirrel feeder is sure to give endless moments of joy to anyone who loves animals. This is a great gift for loved ones who are staying home this holiday season.
Traveling pet parents will love the Mobile Dog Gear week away tote pet travel bag. The tote comes in two sizes, adheres to most airline’s carry-on regulations, and can be carried with a shoulder strap or slipped on a rolling suitcase handle. It features bowls, a placemat and divided pockets to keep travelers organized.
Blueberry Pet’s Compassion Set features a specially designed pattern with a brightly colored sun, leaves and the word “compassion”. The set includes a bandana, a classic scrunchie and a bow scrunchie, letting you team up with your pet to spread compassion everywhere. Best of all, a portion of proceeds will be donated to SPCA International.
The cat lover on your list is sure to appreciate the Catit flower plastic cat fountain. This thoughtfully designed product saves pet parents from constantly changing water and keeps kitties healthy with purified, flowing water.
Walking more than two dogs at a time can be a real challenge! None of us have three hands to juggle our pups, so we’re recommending this superhero double-ended leash from BowesCollars to help pet parents stroll with ease!
For the pup with anxiety, this SmartPetLove snuggle puppy will calm their nerves and put their family at ease. With a beating heart feature, these cuddly companions calm dogs naturally and help pups through stressors like loneliness, long nights, thunderstorms and fireworks.
The dedicated pet parent in your life is sure to adore these personalized products featuring their favorite furry pals sporting silly costumes. Whether you want a portrait of Fido on canvas or a mug with a cat family, Crown and Paw will make it happen. These products are custom made before they are shipped, so order at least a week ahead of time.
Rosie and Pups are Thriving
Thanks to everyone who stepped up on behalf of Rosie! The resilient mom and her pups are strong and healthy. Rosie’s belly was cut terribly before she gave birth and the kind people who found her weren’t sure she would make it.
Thankfully, SPCA International supporters helped the people on the ground in Romania with their generous donations. Funding was rushed to Rosie’s caretakers to make sure they could provide her with the proper medical care and give her pups the around-the-clock nursing they needed to survive. We can’t thank you enough for helping us save this sweet dog and her puppies.
Chachi’s Story
Many dogs who are labeled as “too aggressive” are simply untrained or misunderstood. That’s exactly what happened to Chachi.
Chachi and another dog were removed from near the nuclear reactor in Chernobyl because of concerns about aggression. Thankfully, our partner organization quickly realized they weren’t actually aggressive dogs. Chachi and his friend were quite loud, simply because they had never been properly socialized or trained.
Chachi’s companion quickly found a forever home, but Chachi started struggling after his buddy left. An incredible group, Mission K9, agreed to bring Chachi to their facility and work with him.
The dedicated people at Mission K9 learned that Chachi feels most comfortable when he has another dog with him. The team quickly introduced Chachi to Tess, a pup that had nearly completed certification for bomb-detection but was too friendly to go into that line of work.
We shared Chachi and Tess’s story with the SPCA International community when they were ready for forever homes. We were all thrilled when a wonderful retired Massachusetts military couple stepped up to become their forever family.
Today, Chachi and Tess are well adjusted in their new home. Chachi is protective of Tess and his human family, but he isn’t aggressive. His new pet parents think he must be part shepherd because he often herds kids and keeps an eye on them while they play. When he isn’t working to keep his family members safe, Chachi is a big couch potato who loves snuggles.
If you are considering adopting a dog, please keep Chachi in mind. There are many resources available to help dogs learn to trust humans and live happily with a family. A dog passed over by others could be just who you need in your life.
Pets as Gifts
By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director
From puppies at Christmas to bunnies at Easter, and everything in between, giving pets as gifts can be a dangerous idea. Gifting pets to others can often backfire for the giver, the receiver, and most of all – the animal.
Unwanted pets run the risk of being surrendered or neglected. Though most people agree that puppies, kittens, bunnies, and even goldfish are cute, if someone doesn’t already have a pet (or has decided on a certain number of pets), there is probably a good reason.
A few things to consider:
- Try not to make quick pet-adoption decisions. The most successful adoptions are those that are well thought out and agreed upon by all members of a family.
- Volunteer with animals. If you want to mark a special occasion with a feel-good animal interaction, contact your local shelter to find out if they could use dog-walkers or other volunteers to enhance the lives of their animals.
- Offer to pet-sit. If a loved one wants a new pet, consider pet-sitting for a friend so everyone can get the feel for the level of responsibility required.
- Adopt don’t shop. If your family has agreed to get a new pet to mark a special occasion, consider adopting from a local shelter as opposed to buying a kitten or puppy.
Of course, there is little that makes me happier than seeing well-planned and successful pet adoptions that create forever families. Many of our partners in North America and around the world have animals of every size and temperament for adoption and they would be thrilled to help you find the perfect furry family member.
The Art of Building Global Partnerships
By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director
The work we do here at SPCA International acknowledges that animals do not know the borders humans have drawn on maps. They don’t understand politics, nor do they discriminate based on region or country. At the end of the day, animals simply want what we want: a safe space, love and food security.
Having worked in the global community for ten years, I know each area of the world we serve will have two things: a like-minded community of animal welfare advocates, and a set of challenges unique to that community or region. The first will be the solution to figuring out the second. Often, we set out to solve an existing problem, such as access to affordable veterinary care, humane population control (spay and neuter) or adoption advocacy. The best way for our team to learn how to approach these issues is by observing and collaborating with the local community.
Most countries have similar problems when it comes to animal welfare issues. Overpopulation, unaffordable care and abundant cruelty are some of the most common problems I see in my work. At SPCA International, our number one priority is often to bring awareness and education about how animals affect community health, because unwanted animal populations and communicable diseases often lead to cruelty born out of fear.
To understand how to approach these systemic issues, we first reach out to the people doing the work on the ground. By building and establishing connections we learn how to best work within the local system. For example, in 2014 I had the opportunity to testify at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid on the issue of hare-coursing with Galgos (Spanish greyhounds). We learned from our partners that the animal cruelty these animals are victims of is illegal, but that the existing laws are not enforced. With a deeper understanding and appreciation of local culture and communication styles, we are able to create a positive and respectful dialogue with government officials and key decision makers.
Ultimately, we want new community partners to know we are there to help and support their existing efforts. By bringing a global perspective, we can recommend methods that have worked in other places and help adapt processes to best fit the outcomes we all want to see – building better, safer communities for humans and animals to live in harmony.
In Memory of Rita, a Fierce Advocate for Animals
By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director
My heart is heavy as I write this tribute to an amazing woman who brought the Humane Society of St. Thomas to SPCA International as a dedicated partner. Rita lived in St. Thomas and was actively involved with the local Humane Society when Hurricane Irma hit.
After her house was destroyed by the hurricane, Rita moved to the U.S. to stay with family, but she didn’t forget the animals of St. Thomas after she left. Rita was determined to find a way to help them, so she picked up the phone and got to work. I’m not sure how many different offices she called, but one of them was the line of a well-known investor and philanthropist with ties to the Virgin Islands.
Following Rita’s outreach to this philanthropist, I received a call from the foundation to see if SPCA International could help. They didn’t have a program in place for animals and were turning to us in hopes of forging a partnership. We had all watched the devastation that hurricane season brought to the U.S. Virgin Islands that year and were determined to help the animals and people of St. Thomas as much as we could.
Once we connected with Rita, I started to understand just what an incredible woman she was and how much she cared about those around her. It quickly became clear that she was a fierce advocate for animals and was passionate about helping them in any way she could.
Rita tapped into relationships she had forged during her time working in the airline industry to help SPCA International send shipments of desperately-needed veterinary supplies to her colleagues at the Humane Society of St. Thomas. Even while displaced from her own home, Rita forged a long-time partnership between two organizations that continues to make a difference in the lives of animals today.
We were all deeply saddened to learn of Rita’s recent passing, but her legacy lives on in the memories of her family, friends and colleagues. She has made her mark on this world by giving numerous animals safer, healthier and happier lives.
Along with a memorial gift to honor Rita’s life, I am certain the partnership between SPCA International and the St. Thomas Humane Society will continue going strong for years to come.
A New Lease on Life for Courage
Thanks to many generous individuals, Courage is on the mend. Truly one of the most heartbreaking cases we have seen, somebody had cut his tongue out and he was struggling to eat and drink. The scars covering his body tell a story of dogfighting, a cruel and criminal practice.
With the support of friends near and far, Courage is receiving the best care and training possible so he can live a normal life. He has learned to eat and drink, and he absolutely loves people. Courage has an incredible spirit and here at SPCA International, we are excited to continue watching his journey.
Many other dogs like Courage are healing from the trauma of dogfighting. Each one has their own physical and emotional scars, but they are not beyond saving. Even though rescue groups depend on donations and volunteer labor, they continue to rescue dogfighting victims. Kind and caring people tend to wounds, build trust and help these dogs experience love for the first time in their lives.
Each year, SPCA International dedicates special grants to animal welfare groups rescuing dogs from the fighting ring. Every donation makes this important work possible and helps bring our world closer to the end of this horrendous practice. Please, make a donation today to stand up against dogfighting.
On behalf of all the dogs who will have hope restored to their lives, thank you.
Keeping Wild Animals Safe
The Tiger King phenomenon has brought the plight of big cats in captivity to the forefront of many people’s minds, but it is hard to know how to help. Even as the Big Cat Public Safety act makes its way through the legislative process, there are a few things that private citizens can do to contribute.
Don’t visit roadside zoos – Roadside zoos of any type have little oversight and though many are well-intentioned, they often don’t adhere to the highest standards in animal care. By spending our dollars elsewhere, animal welfare conscious consumers can help reduce the demand for these types of animal encounters.
Follow the rules at national and state parks – “Don’t feed the animals” and “stay in your vehicle” signs are there for a reason. Each year people and animals are hurt because people get too close to wild animals. If you are visiting animals in their natural habitat, follow the guidance of authorities to keep your animal encounters safe.
Be conscious of chance animal encounters – With many people staying home amidst COVID-19, more animals are venturing into parks and other public spaces. If you see a wild animal while you are out enjoying nature, give them plenty of space. The less we interact with them, the longer they are likely to stay!
Access wildlife cameras – There are some great free wildlife cameras offered by conservation and animal welfare groups. A quick google search will turn up cameras that can take you around the world from the comfort of your home! There is truly something for everyone with different cameras focusing on sea creatures, birds and mammals.