Adopting a Disabled Dog Doesn’t Need to Be Scary!

By Lisa Murray, PR Director of Walkin’ Pets

Adopting a disabled dog can be a deeply fulfilling experience, so don’t be scared off by a dog’s special needs! While disabled dogs may need a little extra care, there are many resources available these days that make it relatively easy to attend to their needs. Advances in mobility aids, such as dog wheelchairs, enable many disabled dogs to live a high-quality life.

Consider the following five questions to help discern if adopting a special needs dog is right for you:

1. Am I in the financial position to pay for medically related expenses?

Not every disabled dog needs extra medical attention, but many benefit from interventions such as canine rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, or massage. Make sure you know what a prospective adoptee might need so you can assess if you are able to provide the type of care she needs to thrive.

2. Do I have enough time to adequately care for a disabled dog?

Any pet deserves your time and attention, but a disabled dog may need a little more. Helping a dog in and out of a dog wheelchair, or potentially diapering an incontinent pet, are important considerations.

“It wound up to be no harder than caring for any other dog,” says the owner of Lucy, a disabled rescue from Mexico. “You just put your efforts into slightly different areas. Caring for a disabled dog isn’t out of anyone’s reach – you just have to go into it feeling like you can do it!”                                                                            

3. Is my whole family on board, including other pets?

Make sure everyone in your family is as eager to adopt a disabled dog as you are! If there are other humans in your household who might resent the dog, or if you have other pets who may not want to share your affection or attention, those are red flags too large to ignore.

4. Am I truly ready to make a lifelong commitment? 

Unwanted disabled dogs are often bounced around between different homes and animal shelters when pet owners “change their mind.” Spare an animal that fate by vowing to make a lifelong commitment!

5. Can I deal with differences?

Your dog’s disability may draw attention, both positive and negative. You need to be prepared for that and able to comfortably deal with it. Do some soul searching to make sure you are willing to wholeheartedly welcome a pet into your home and heart who others may view as “imperfect.” 

The rewards of adopting a disabled dog can be enormous, from the love and appreciation the dog will give you, to the hope he can inspire in others. The owner of Omid, a disabled rescue dog brought to the U.S. from Iran, says, “I’ve learned a lot from him. His spunk and love can’t be measured.”

Volunteers to Help Hundreds of Animals in Chernobyl

The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster forced 120,000 people to evacuate their homes. They were only allowed to bring what they could carry, and many families had no choice but to leave behind beloved family pets. Once these pets were considered contaminated, people were prohibited from removing them from the Exclusion Zone.

Today, the Exclusion Zone still exists. Access is highly restricted, and no one lives there except wild animals and an estimated 1,000 dogs and cats (including 250 stray dogs living at the plant) who are descendants of family pets left behind during the evacuation. Over 3,000 people still work at this active power plant and try to provide shelter and food for the animals during harsh winters.

The fear of radiation from contaminated animals led the Ukrainian government to send soldiers to shoot these animals in an attempt to control their population. This inhumane policy was ineffective at curbing animal population growth.

SPCA International and Clean Futures Fund are working with the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and the Ukrainian government on a widescale spay and neuter campaign. The first clinic was held in August 2017, when over 340 animals were spayed or neutered, vaccinated, de-wormed, and given dosimeter ear tags to measure their radiation levels.

This June, our goal is to reach the remaining animals in the Exclusion Zone.  We have planned a month-long campaign with Clean Futures Fund and over 100 volunteers to make this a reality. Though all of our volunteers are paying for their own costs, you can help provide veterinary supplies and vaccines.

Rescue Video: Heroes Risk Their Lives

In February 2018 a stray dog found its way on top of the safe confinement structure covering the Unit 4 reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Three workers performed a daring rescue (caught on video) to ensure that this dog was brought to safety.

Official: “Dogs of Chernobyl Safe for Adoption”

In the Chernobyl Nuclear Exclusion Zone, it is almost unheard of to see a dog over four years old. The 1,000 animals here live a precarious life amid the bears and wolves of the forest. If they are lucky, a compassionate power plant worker will shelter and feed them through the worst months of the winter.

That's right, despite what many people think, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is still up and running with over 3,000 employees. These workers do what they can for the dogs (250 dogs live right at the plant), but until now, they have been prohibited from removing any animals from the area. 

Thanks to SPCA International's partner organization Clean Futures Fund (CFF), some of these dogs now have hope for a life with a loving family. Through radiation tracking ear tags, CFF has determined that the dogs have extremely low levels of radiation and are safe for adoption. With your help, we are sponsoring the first 15 puppy adoptions out of the Exclusion Zone.

Each of these 15 cuddly puppies will have safe radiation levels, be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and de-wormed. They will be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days before they go home to a loving family in the Ukraine or elsewhere. If you are interested in adopting one of these dogs, please email [email protected].

Donkeys, Farmers, and their Families- Working Together for an Improved Life

In Tanzania, subsistence farmers depend on donkeys to keep their families alive. We’ve seen donkeys used in almost every aspect of transportation- to carry water from miles away, to bring crops to market, or to carry a sick family member to the nearest hospital.  

Unfortunately, donkeys are rarely vaccinated, are often equipped with ill-fitting carts and harnesses that cause festering sores, and can become drastically overworked. In the wild, donkeys live up to 30 years, but we’re told that in Tanzania, working donkeys may live only three or four years.

Our partner organization TAPO (Tanzania Animal Protection Organization) is working diligently to enhance the quality and longevity of life for donkeys. They know farmers and families need donkeys to survive, so they focus on education and assistance to create a better life for donkeys throughout northern Tanzania. 

We recently partnered with TAPO to host a donkey clinic where we provided education to over 120 farmers and medical assistance to over 760 donkeys.

Here, a TAPO staff member drains an infected wound and talks to the farmer about how to provide the best care to the animal. The farmer is learing to provide a longer, healthier and happier life for the donkey, which will also benefit his family.
Here, a TAPO staff member drains an infected wound and talks to the farmer about how to provide the best care to the animal. The farmer is learning to provide a longer, healthier and happier life for the donkey, which will also benefit his family. 

NOT the Dog in the Window

In Beirut, shiny pet store windows show off cute, wiggly purebred puppies. Huskies and golden retrievers top the list of popular breeds, and the demand is strong. In a country where pet adoption isn’t the norm, it is common for people to walk right past suffering street dogs and into a shop to find the next furry addition to their family- all too often that cute puppy finds themself in the street dog’s position just several months later.

We just returned from a visit to our partner, BETA (Beirut Ethical Treatment of Animals), where they are working to rescue dogs off the street and are encouraging people to adopt one of the thousands of Beirut dogs in need of a home. 

BETA staff gave us a tour of their beautiful open-air hillside shelter where they house nearly 700 dogs. Dogs are housed in large runs shared with other dogs of similar size and temperament, and are let out in groups each day to run free in nature. We were concerned that dogs might not return, but staff assured us they always come back to the safety and security of BETA’s shelter where they know they will be fed and cared for.

We were thrilled to see the work of BETA first hand, but that wasn’t the reason for our trip. We were there to pick up our most recent group of Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide rescues! We are so grateful to BETA for providing a safe haven for these dogs on their long journey between Iraq and their soldiers’ homes in the US. BETA has dogs available for adoption in Beirut and also for families in the United States and Canada. You can help be part of the solution by giving a once neglected and starving Beirut street animal a home today!

Feline Feature: OBP: Worldwide Rescue Cats

 By Emma Koeniger, SPCAI Content and Digital Media Coordinator

 

This month SPCA International transported eight cats from the Middle East to their forever homes in the United States. These friendly felines were rescued by military service members and government contractors who were on deployment in the Middle East. The rescue logistics were challenging, but these combat cats love their new lives!

 

 

 

 

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Cheetoh’s comfy chair in Washington state is a far cry from the streets of Iraq. He is all purrs in his forever home with the Air Force veteran who became his best bud.

 

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Meat Dough is thrilled to once again be perched on the shoulder of the Army Officer who saved her. She loves playing in her new home in Tennessee.

 

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Princess Jasmine is learning that Oregon is a little colder than the Middle East. Luckily there are so many cozy spots in her forever home with the Army Officer who rescued her.

 

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Dan is enjoying life in Georgia. He is so happy to be back in the arms of the Army Lieutenant who found Dan abandoned by his mother on the streets of Iraq.

 

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Midnight and her three kittens, Simba, Nala and Aslan, couldn’t ask for more now that they are in their forever home in Texas. We’re so glad they get to spend the rest of their lives with the Air Force Lieutenant that rescued them from the verge of death in Iraq, nursed them to health and refused to leave them behind.

OBP: Worldwide Super Mission Update

In January 2018 executive director, Meredith Ayan, and program manager, Lori Kalef, along with 8 volunteers travelled to Beirut, Lebanon, where 25 dogs were waiting to finish their long journey to the United States. As of January 24th each dog is safe and sound in their forever home with the loving soldier who rescued them and their family. Check out these fantastic updates we’ve received!

From Iraq to Arizona, Khanjar loves running around with SGT Jeremy’s family.


Chuck and Hank are two brothers who were born in Iraq. They are now living in Florida and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the soldier who rescued them. (He is still on deployment in Iraq.)


From the Middle East to the hustle and bustle of New York, Syri is thrilled to be cuddling up to CPL Danny every night.


Georgia is a lot greener than the Middle East. Al Waha loves lying in the grass and all of the attention CPL Robert’s family has to offer. 


Syri has forgotten all about the hot desert where she’s from, she has taken to snowy upstate New York like a fish to water. 


After being rescued from near death in Syria  Lucky is enjoying a more laid back lifestyle in Tennessee.


Rokey is enjoying the Vegas life and he can’t wait for the U.S. contractor who rescued him from Baghdad to join him in his new home. 


The mountains and forests of Oregon are too much fun for Korra. She loves going on daily runs with the soldier who rescued her from Syria


Clarksville, Tennessee isn’t like Iraq at all, and Socks loves it. She is counting the days until her soldier returns from deployment.


Life just outside of Nashville is great. Tank loves his new yard and being with his soldier and his family.


Athena is enjoying the cold weather in Ohio. She loves playing in her new home with her forever family. 


Max is having the time of his life in his forever home in Wisconsin. From the snow to the cheese to his loving soldier he can’t believe how lucky he is.


The cool pacific-northwest air suits Baloo just fine. He is enjoying his forever home near Olympia, Washington.


Eos is so happy to be in her forever home in Tennessee with the Staff Sergeant who rescued her in Iraq.


Annabelle was over the moon when she was reunited with Joey, the soldier who rescued her, and his family. She couldn’t ask for a better home in North Carolina. 


Peanut loves all the treats she’s getting at her forever home in Florida, especially when Jonathan, the U.S. Army veteran who rescued her, is the one feeding them to her!


The green grass and blue skies of North Carolina are great for Rocket. He loves playing in his new yard with the soldier who rescued him and his family. 


Hanna loves all of the toys and the big yard in her forever home. She couldn’t be happier to be in Tennessee with SGT Michael.


Pig Pen is having so much fun running around with the other dogs in her forever home


Chilly Chicago is a lot of fun for Apollo. He loves going on walks with the soldier who rescued him and smelling all of the new city smells.


Nala and Syga were rescued by their soldier in Lebanon. They love their new home together with their soldier in Illinois.


Sheriff is all smiles at his forever home in Illinois with the sergeant who rescued him. 

Fighting the Abuse of Spanish Greyhounds

By Stephanie Scott, SPCAI Staff For many years SPCA International has been dedicated to fighting the systemic abuse of Spanish Greyhounds (Galgos).  Each year in Spain tens of thousands of galgos are abused and brutally killed by the people who bred them. Every other country in the E.U. has banned the barbaric sport of hare coursing because of the torture and brutality the tradition inflicts on the galgos. Through our ongoing education and advocacy efforts, SPCA International and SOS Galgos continue to work to ban this evil practice in Spain. As those efforts continue we are also supporting the constant rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of Spanish Greyhounds and podencos that are abused, tortured and abandoned by these hunters. Below you will find photos of Tinka, Lola, Peggy Sue, Honey, Abby, Billy Jean, Margot, Uva, Xena, Tinka, Stella, Syra, Taspa, Puskas, Ophelia, Zahara, Pino, Opal, Nieve, Leia, Manchita, Lusi, Leisi, Frascuelo, Gandalf, Laika, Hercules, Estiva, Flo, Francis, Dakota and Boston – all recently rescued and many already adopted by loving families after coming in with a myriad of injuries from abuse and neglect. These animals have survived tremendous wounds, starvation and dehydration – the worst of humanity. But they were taken in and loved by the wonderful volunteers at SOS Galgo and then their new families. Today they finally are beginning to trust again.