We are excited to share that the first of thirty-two OBP: Worldwide dogs have arrived in Quebec, Canada. Each of these animals was adopted by a U.S. service member who saw an animal in need and simply couldn’t look away.
Because of CDC restrictions, these dogs have been stuck overseas, some for many months. Without an end in sight to these restrictions, our team found a creative solution. These dogs will all spend six months in quarantine in Canada, after which they will be cleared to travel to their soldiers and forever homes in the U.S.
We are proud to have found a solution to this daunting obstacle. Our commitment to the military community and their pets is unwavering.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to support Ukrainian refugee pets and their families. As the situation continues to unfold, we can’t do everything, but we can do something. Your donations have been rushed to partner organizations so they can greet refugees at the border.
After challenging journeys, pet parents are relieved to find a friendly face when they clear customs with their pets. Many have overcome difficult odds to bring their pets with them and they arrive with little else. They are offered veterinary care crates, kibble, leashes and other supplies provided by YOUR donations. With these supplies, they continue their journeys a little easier.
Our partners tell us they never know what the day will bring, but they are at the border every day, waiting to greet those who need supplies or advice. Here at SPCA International, we are proud to be doing our part to support The Street Dog Coalition, Sava’s Safe Haven, Gostomel Animal Shelter and Romanian League in Defense of Animals as they help the animals and people of Ukraine.
Despite all that is being accomplished at the border and in Romania for the animals and people of Ukraine, animal welfare groups within Ukraine are dealing with terrible circumstances. Many animals have been wounded or are sick, so we are working with Hello Ralphie to ensure remote veterinary consults are available to shelters, rescue groups and individual pet parents in need of expert advice.
No matter what, SPCA International is committed to supporting the health and safety of animals in Ukraine. We have been working in the region for many years with established partners and we look forward to a day when we can focus on recovery efforts in the animal welfare sector.
To date, SOS Galgos has rescued over 3,000 Galgos through their network of foster homes and volunteers. This shelter will allow them to accomplish even more. The new shelter facility also provides space for an educational program that promotes compassion and care for Galgos and other animals. Coupled with national advocacy, this is truly a comprehensive program to improve conditions for Galgos throughout Spain.
Helping animals has always been part of Alexandra Sava’s life. Growing up in Romania, her family regularly fed about 40 street animals. They knew they wanted to do more.
When Alexandra was 14, her family raised money to build a shelter for the animals they were feeding. Today, Sava’s Safe Haven cares for 250 animals and they have a robust international adoption program.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Alexandra faces are the attitudes of others toward animals. Particularly in rural communities, she tells us most people don’t understand why animals should be cared for. However, her work is changing attitudes and behavior, one person at a time.
After many years of educating communities about animal health and welfare, people turn to Alexandra and her family when they see an animal in need. They have begun to understand that animal welfare supports community wellness.
Alexandra says it hasn’t been easy to run Sava’s Safe Haven for the last 10 years, but she is grateful to work alongside her mom, dad and brother. They love what they do.
In a true testament to Alexandra’s dedication, she is now meeting Ukrainian refugees at the border with a warm smile, pet food, blankets, crates, leashes and other supplies.
What a whirlwind it has been! After months of ups and downs, 285 animals have finally arrived from Afghanistan through what we’re calling #MissionPossible. Thank you to everyone who never gave up and who helped make this seemingly impossible rescue a reality.
We are simply overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. Beginning last August when NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan a passionate plea from Kabul Small Animal Rescue founder, Charlotte Maxwell-Jones went viral and triggered a response from multiple organizations, SPCA International included. Despite everyone’s best efforts, hopes were dashed when, at the 11th hour, dogs were released to fend for themselves on the airport property; the cats, having never made it in, were brought back to the KSAR shelter and Charlotte was escorted back to her home. Our hearts broke and we know yours did too.
Throughout the fall, helped by SPCAI donations (thank you!), KSAR was able to continue supporting the ongoing care of the animals and make efforts to rescue the dogs that had been released at the airport.
The last months have been spent carefully planning with KSAR, numerous partner organizations, government agencies, businesses and many volunteers. We even converted an airplane hangar to receive the animals and ensure their health.
Volunteer receiving puppy kisses from Bea at the temporary SPCA International shelter facility.
Now, we are thrilled to share that most animals have been moved to local shelters or foster homes while their adoptions are processed. We received an overwhelming number of adoption applications and there are more homes than animals!
In addition to the animals being adopted, over 50 animals will be reunited with their families who had to evacuate without them.
Owner reunited with her two cats.
Owner and cat reunited after having to evacuate Afghanistan.
A special thank you to Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue, RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, Thank Dog I Am Out Dog Rescue, War Paws, No Dogs Left Behind, Animal Wellness Action, Signature Flight Support, Modu-Loc Fence Rentals, Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration, Midland Appliance – Appliances By Design, King of Floors Lazar
Our incredible partners in Brazil trapped and sterilized 55 cats abandoned on an island off the coast of Rio. Even more exciting than this initial success, they have received approval from authorities to set up a shelter for the cats and they will frequently refresh food and water.
Here at SPCA International, we are dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals, and one of the most effective ways to reduce suffering is to ensure animal populations don’t grow exponentially. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting spay and neuter initiatives around the globe.
When our contacts at the UK embassy in Baghdad reached out to ask for help with the stray cat population on their campus, we were thrilled to coordinate with them. The animal-loving staff at the embassy have huge hearts and they make sure the cats on the grounds are safe and fed. However, they know that keeping the population manageable will ensure the cats don’t become a nuisance and can continue to be cared for.
Our Middle East team and the helpful staff caught 32 cats throughout the embassy campus! Two kittens were too young for sterilization, so they only received vaccines and anti-parasitic medication. Another cat, named Princess, is a long-time embassy resident who had been previously spayed. The other 29 cats were sterilized, vaccinated and treated for parasites and they all recovered well.
This simple intervention makes an incredible difference by avoiding the birth of hundreds of kittens. Amazingly, a cat can have two to three litters of kittens each year, and those kittens mature quickly and can begin having kittens of their own. Keeping this cat population in check is key to ensuring the cats can continue to happily and safely coexist with the kind and caring people at the embassy.
The recent success in Baghdad is just one example of why spay and neuter is so important. Throughout the month of February, we’ll continue providing funding and logistical support to partners throughout the globe that are providing critically important spay and neuter services.
Please consider sterilizing the animals in your life if you haven’t already. Learn more here.
Nepal has been locked down for over 105 days and the situation in the country is dire. Sneha’s Care is doing everything possible to keep feeding over 2,000 street animals and providing medical care and shelter for over 200 animals most in need, but there are more hungry and suffering animals than ever before. Their resources are dwindling as costs continue to rise.
Shelter and rescue groups around the world are in similar situations. That’s why every donation to SPCA International continues to be vitally important. As an organization, we exist to bring the most pressing animal welfare needs to the attention of those who care about animals and distribute donations to the groups saving animals’ lives.
Sneha’s Care isn’t an exact representation of every rescue group, but their multi-faceted struggle due to COVID-19 represents the situation of so many other groups during this difficult time. Sneha’s Care is navigating the following factors:
Tourism has halted in Nepal, closing restaurants and hotels. This means no leftover food for street animals and no donations of food or money from local restaurants and hotels.
Tourists used to feed street animals and without people tossing them food, animals are beginning to starve.
Food prices have doubled over the last three months and price gouging is rampant. Every dollar now buys half of what it did before COVID-19.
Sneha’s Care has an organic vegetable farm that supplements the animals’ diets and generates revenue for shelter operations. Due to heavy monsoon rains, all the vegetables were lost, leaving them without that source of revenue.
International volunteers are unable to travel to Nepal. They used to make up a huge portion of the manpower needed, so local staff have been hired to fill the gap.
Right now, Sneha, the founder of Sneha’s Care is reaching into her own pocket to keep the organization running. She simply can’t turn away hungry and suffering animals, but every day the need grows. Thanks to many generous donors, SPCA International was able to provide a grant to help Sneha’s Care continue operating.
Lev isn’t a typical 12 year old. He’s making good use of his downtime during COVID-19 by 3-D printing custom dog tags, and he is donating 10% of his proceeds to SPCA International!
While stuck at home, Lev started thinking about how he could give back in some way to others. He wasn’t sure how, but he finally had a great idea after his dog Mojo lost his dog tag and Lev couldn’t go out to buy him a new one. He was worried about Mojo getting lost, so Lev used his 3-D printer to make a new dog tag. Then he had the idea to make pet identification tags for others and he founded “Thingz Custom” to launch his business.
Note: The phone number has been intentionally blurred for privacy.
Lev took his time researching animal welfare organizations and settled on SPCA International after learning about our work. Now, every purchase of one of Lev’s pet tags will provide a donation. Lev’s pet tags are made of plastic, so they are very light weight. He offers nine color options and they are very affordable at only $10. The best part is they are fully customizable. Check out Lev’s website at thingzcustom.com to order your pet tag today.
SPCA International is so thrilled to be partnering with such a compassionate young entrepreneur and philanthropist. Lev shares that his inspiration for founding Thingz Custom is because he cares about animals and wants to give back to an organization that makes a big impact on animal welfare.
Most of us enjoy summer hikes, swims, and other outings with our pets… follow these tips to keep them safe from the heat.
Never leave your pet in a car! — A parked car quickly heats up and can reach temperatures 20 to 30 degrees higher than outside. Exposure to this high heat and low airflow can quickly result in the death of a pet. Please leave your pet at home or run that errand later.
Always provide water – In the summer, your pet will naturally drink more water than usual. Make sure they always have plenty of clean water available, especially when you are out of the house. There are some great collapsible bowls for when you and your pet are on the go. Hiking anyone?
Pets need shade – not a doghouse! If pets must be left outside during the day, hanging a tarp is a quick solution for a yard without tree cover. Unfortunately, a dog house can trap heat and become even hotter than outside.
Avoid Asphalt – Hot asphalt can burn our pet’s feet – Consider walking your pet in the morning or evening to avoid the midday sunbaked asphalt.
Trim haircut – Some dogs can benefit from a summer haircut, but they should never be shaved! Check with your vet to learn if you should trim your pet’s coat or not. Some long hair acts as a natural cooling system and daily brushing is the best advice.
If you detect any signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion, such as excessive drooling/panting, red or blue gums/tongue, vomiting, lethargy, loss of consciousness, collapse and/or uncoordinated movements or if you suspect your pet is at risk, contact your veterinarian immediately for medical care that may save your pet’s life.
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