Author: SPCAI Staff

This winter many of SPCA International’s shelter partners in North America and abroad are struggling to keep animals warm. Those with indoor facilities face massive heating bills to maintain temperatures above freezing, but for outdoor shelters, the challenges are even more daunting.

Shelter volunteers and staff are working around the clock to make sure animals stay alive in freezing conditions. They are constantly shoveling out snow that blows into kennels, refilling water bowls that freeze almost immediately, and replacing frozen bedding as fast as possible.

Our shelter partners in Romania tell us they are battling frozen latches on kennels and snow so high their vehicles are getting stuck. With hundreds of dogs in their care, shelter staff are identifying the most at risk animals such as puppies and elderly dogs to bring them inside for warmth.

This winter, please consider donating used blankets, sheets, and towels, or your time, to your local shelter. Or you can donate to our Shelter Support Fund for our overseas shelter partners.

By SPCA International Staff

At the end of 2018, SPCA International received a plea from one of our overseas shelter partners for help. They had rescued a dog from the brink of death and named her Brownie. She had been horribly abused by a very cruel person – multiple broken bones, internal damage from repeated assaults to her anus, and extensive burns meant Brownie’s body was raging with infection and she was terrified of humans. 

The all-volunteer rescue team wasn’t sure if Brownie could be healed. Even then, they worried the cost of veterinary treatment and medication would bankrupt them and leave them unable to provide food and shelter for the other dogs in their care. 

We passed the plea on to our supporters and received an outpouring of financial help for Brownie’s recovery. We have rushed funds to Brownie’s rescuers, and their gratitude is immense. They are relieved and overjoyed to be able to continue providing care to Brownie and the 30 other animals who depend on them. 

We wish we could report that Brownie is fully healed and thriving, but her progress is slow. She is alive and healing thanks to the careful treatment she is receiving, but she’s still weak and scared. Her rescuers report that Brownie’s burns are getting better and some hair is growing back. Thanks to a round of heavy antibiotics, her internal wounds are no longer infected, and she is gaining weight.

Unfortunately, a recent x-ray showed not only broken bones in her legs and pelvis, but broken bones in her back. Brownie will likely need a custom cart to support her mobility. We’re currently working with her rescue team to build a plan to bring Brownie to the U.S. or Canada where she can receive the best medical care possible.

We are so appreciative of every donation to support Brownie’s medical care. Many people have reached out to inquire about Brownie’s progress and to ask if she needs further support. Additional donations for Brownie’s medical care and travel can be made here.

By SPCA International Staff

SOS Galgos, a Spanish organization committed to improving the treatment of Spanish Greyhounds, is celebrating 20 years in operation. Their efforts are carefully balanced between rescue and education. In addition to rescuing and rehoming 3,000 Spanish Greyhounds, they have educated thousands of people about humane treatment of all animals, with an emphasis on the notoriously abused Spanish Greyhound.

In Spain, these greyhounds (or galgos) are bred to hunt, and they experience brutal conditioning such as being tied to a car to make them sprint for prolonged periods of time at extreme speeds. It is estimated that about 1 million Spanish Greyhounds are kept by hunters in Spain who house them in cramped conditions with only enough food and water to keep them alive – the hunters believe this keeps the dogs hungry for the hunt.

After two or three seasons, these loyal dogs are no longer seen as useful, so hunters heartlessly abandon or kill them. Worst of all is a belief that the more suffering the “old” dogs experience, the better luck the hunter will have in the coming year. This antiquated belief means that Spanish Greyhounds deemed past their prime are routinely tortured to death – buried alive in trash bags, hung by the neck with feet barely scratching the ground, and murdered through other horrendous practices which are used to prolong the suffering of these beautiful animals. 

Our friends at SOS Galgos tell us the tides are changing. More and more, adopted Spanish Greyhounds are the pet of choice in metropolitan areas, and hunters are abandoning rather than torturing their old hunting dogs. 

While these are steps in the right direction, there’s still much work to be done. SPCA International is committed to supporting SOS Galgos’ operations and advocacy. Together we have collected an estimated 500,000 signatures in support of a ban on hunting with Spanish Greyhounds. Nearly every other country in the European Union has already enacted similar laws, and we are hopeful Spain will soon follow suit. 

By SPCAI Staff

As we near the end of 2018 the temperatures are going to continue to drop for most us. You’re probably pulling out your heavy socks and puffy coats to help you keep nice and toasty when you’re outside. It’s important to remember how we can keep our four-legged friends happy and healthy during the late fall and winter months. 

Bundling Up: Not every dog or cat is built for cold snowy weather. Walks should be adjusted according to how cold it is outside, the lower the temperature the shorter the walk. Short-haired pets may need an extra layer when outside, but remember that in very cold weather long-haired pets may also need an added layer. Cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, do not leave your pets outside for long periods of time.

Paws: There are many pet-friendly alternatives for ice-melt but you should still protect your pet’s feet from ice-melt and snow. You can do this with booties, but if your dog is like mine and absolutely hates booties use Musher’s Wax to prevent paw pads from drying out and remember to routinely wipe snow and ice from their paws during walks.

Cars: Antifreeze is incredibly toxic, if you have a car make sure to clean up any spills that occur and to wipe off your pets paws (and stomach if low to the ground) when coming inside incase they have walked through some.  Outdoor and stray cats can also hide in cars for warmth during the colder months, check underneath your car and bang on the hood or honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage them to vacate their roost.

The winter can be a fun time for everyone, just remember to protect your pet so they can have fun too!

Thanksgiving time is upon us and whether you're having tofurkey or free-range turkey your dog or cat will likely be begging for a sample or two. Even though it may be tempting to give in to those pleading eyes and wagging tail, there are a few things you should know before doing so. Traditional holiday foods can be dangerous and potentially deadly to pets but if you follow this short safety guide, both you and your pet will be more than thankful this year.

Bones - Small cooked bones from turkey or other meat sources can become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestinal tract or break into splinters, causing extensive damage to the stomach and gastrointestinal tract if swallowed, even puncturing the small intestine.

Raw or undercooked turkey - may contain deadly salmonella bacteria, even if your dog or cat is used to a raw diet.

Batter – When raw bread dough combines with the body heat of your pet, it can cause the dough to rise inside the stomach, producing severe abdominal pain and bloating leading to more serious complications requiring surgery. Moreover, the batter used in cakes and pies usually contains raw eggs, which may have salmonella bacteria as well.

Fatty foods - Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin, gravy and dark turkey meat are often difficult to digest which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). If you notice your dog or cat showing signs of vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, diarrhea or lethargy, please do not wait to contact your veterinarian.

Onions and Garlic - These ingredients contain sulfides, which are very toxic to animals and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, especially in cats.

Sage - Commonly used as flavoring during this holiday, this well-known herb as well as many other herbs, contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets, especially in cats.

Raisins and Grapes - They are not only a choking hazard to smaller animals, but ingestion of either can cause significant kidney damage.

Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts - These can cause weakness, depression, incoordination, and tremors. In addition, the high-fat levels of these nuts may cause pancreatitis in dogs, resulting in severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Chocolate - In general, the darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. The chemicals in chocolate that are dangerous or even fatal are methylxanthines, which are similar to caffeine and more heavily concentrated in the darker varieties we often see as being advertised with a high percentage of cocoa.

Mushrooms - These can produce damage to a number of internal organs, including kidneys, liver, and the central nervous system, which can result in seizure, coma and sometimes death.

Candy - Many contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a severe drop in blood glucose in dogs; in fact, 30 minutes after ingestion dogs could exhibit signs of depression, loss of coordination and seizures. Xylitol may also lead to delayed onset damage to the liver occurring days to weeks after ingestion. Xylitol toxicity in pets may be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.

Beer and alcohol - Alcohol, especially the hops in beer, can be particularly harmful to dogs, causing intoxication, panting, fever, racing heart, liver damage, even coma, seizures, and death.

When planning your holiday feast, it’s also a good idea to make sure that you properly dispose of any wrappings such as aluminum foil and plastic wrap that your dog may find rummaging through the yummy smelling trash. If you know that your furry four-legged friend is a scavenger, distract him with a safe made-for-pet chew bone or indulge him with a few cooked pieces of meat and safe vegetables inside a Kong toy. After all, pets are part of the family; they deserve a Thanksgiving treat too!