Author: SPCAI Staff

Killer the Cat

by SPCAI Staff
by Stephanie Scott, SPCAI staff This darling cat took a U.S. military base in Egypt by storm with Killer looks, Killer licks, and Killer cuteness. OMG – we can’t get over this guy! Killer will be rescued by the SPCAI team this week. We expect he will arrive at his new home in St. Paul, MN, by May 5th where he will await Corporal. Nick’s return from deployment with the Army National Guard. In Nick’s application for acceptance into the OBP: Worldwide rescue program, he answered a few questions about Killer’s life on base in Egypt. How did your relationship with Killer begin? “He was given his name by the group before us and has never left. When I first arrived at my compound, I instantly created a bond with him. Everyone knows that he is my cat because he is always with me. I started to feed him and sleep with him, which created trust between us. I always make sure he eats and drinks water throughout the day. It is actually funny because he will listen when I tell him to follow me to my room. Being able to snuggle up to me is his favorite part of the day!” What is Killer’s living situation on base? “Killer lives inside of my platoon’s compound. He sleeps either outside, or in anyone’s room. The majority of the time, he will follow me into my room after shift. He loves to cuddle!” What’s a typical day like on base for Killer? “A typical day for Killer usually involves a nap in the morning. Once he is awake, he likes to roam around and get some fresh air outside. He plays with his cat toys and hangs around the platoon. Later in the day he gets pretty hyper and loves to play with the two other cats that live in our compound. He gets tired at about 10pm, and this is when he finds a room to sleep in (usually mine).” Readers: what is your favorite Killer pose in this bunch?

Before & After: This Cat’s Recovery Post Adoption is Miraculous!

by SPCAI Staff

This FELV+ cat was adopted last August in Brazil and we can’t believe how he has beaten the odds! His name is Lipe and we are so glad to see his weight gain and beautiful coat – all thanks to the love he’s received from his new mom. When we first met him he was scrawny and scared, but would you look at him now!

 

Rescue Update: Spirit’s Recovery

by SPCAI Staff

by Emma Koeniger, SPCAI Staff

In February we reached out to our supporters about Spirit; a shepherd mix found in Romania who had suffered unspeakable cruelty at the hands of an unknown assailant. Our partners in Romania quickly came to her aid but needed to act fast, her injuries were extensive and required intensive medical care. Thanks to an overwhelming response of compassion for Spirit, SPCA International supporters made it possible for Spirit to receive the ongoing medical care urgently needed.

Today, Spirit is a different dog. She has recovered by leaps and bounds from her injuries. Sadly, one of her legs and her tail had to be amputated due to the severity of her abuse. She has not let this slow her down! Our partners state that Spirit “is a life model for us, for forgiveness and willpower.” Every day she is growing stronger and getting one step closer to heading to her forever home in the UK. None of this would have been possible without the tireless work of our partners in Romania and the generous support from SPCA International donors.

There is an ongoing investigation to identify and prosecute her abusers. 

 
 

Airport Cat Colonies Get Desperately Needed TLC

by SPCAI Staff

by Meredith Ayan, SPCAI Executive Director

In July 2016 we told you about a terrible situation in Brazil ahead of the Summer Olympics – stray cats at a small local airport were being maliciously poisoned and killed. It was presumed that the person laying out poison wanted to clean up the grounds for the influx of international visitors. Luckily, with your help SPCAI was able to intervene. We visited these cat colonies, met with the volunteers who were caring for them, and initiated a trap neuter and release (TNR) campaign to control the population, vaccinate and provide necessary veterinary care.

As is common with these projects, a closer look revealed much more work to be done and far more cats than we originally estimated. Our initial estimate was that maybe two or three cat colonies existed on the airport grounds, but we soon realized that number was as high as six individual colonies. Tragically, we also discovered a majority of the cats were suffering from Sporotrichosis, a fungal disease that when untreated results in unsightly, painful open wounds. Managing the Sporotrichosis outbreak has meant unexpected expenses and a much longer project as the cats must recover in quarantine.

Our partners in Brazil, Oito Vitas, have been managing the project on a daily basis. They are tracking and monitoring all the cats trapped, neutered, vaccinated, in treatment and released. They have trapped over 45 cats now, 23 have been returned, 25 remain in recovery, and about 25-30 still need to be trapped.

This has been an immense undertaking, but the pilots who care for these colonies and have been feeding them nightly for years are so grateful that their feline friends are at last getting the attention they deserve. (You will see these feline-loving pilots holding the cats in some of the photos below.) Without a funding partner like SPCA International, Oito Vidas would have struggled to tackle a project of this scale. Without our help, these cats would have remained uncared for and suffering. Along with the lives we have saved, we have brought awareness that poisoning and killing animals is not effective population control. Without the support of SPCAI donors – none of this would be possible. Thank you for helping us reduce suffering and save lives!

Visiting Partners in the Dominican Republic

by SPCAI Staff
by Meredith Ayan, Executive Director Last week I had the privilege of spending a day with our partners, Unidad de Proteccion Animal in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Dr. Marilyn Lois and Samantha Ontiveros are the women behind this incredible sanctuary. They have dedicated their lives to improving the welfare of animals not only in their city of Santo Domingo but the entire country of the Dominican Republic. Our day began at 8am bringing a dog that had just been rescued to be seen by a local vet’s office for a severe case of mange. Then, it was on to pick up antibiotics to treat more animals at the sanctuary. We drove out of the city, past a military base onto a long dirt road and up the side of a small mountain. When we arrived at the sanctuary gates two resident mules, and a blind donkey greeted us. The blind donkey had recently been found in a shallow well, starving, with no way out. As soon as they were alerted to his situation they drove to the location and lifted him out, not a moment too soon. He will recover at their sanctuary and live his life without fear of finding himself in danger at the hands of humans again. Beyond the sanctuary gates, 200 dogs and their caretakers enthusiastically greeted us. Every dog jumped, wagged and wiggled as Dr. Lois and Samantha walked me through the grounds. They knew every dog’s name and told me many stories of how each came to live at the sanctuary. While most dogs in their care are available for adoption, many will never leave, unwanted by society because of special needs, missing limbs or just passed over. They are the lucky ones that have access to medical care, food, water and the love of the humans that saved them. After soaking up the sweet affections of the dogs at the sanctuary, I was invited to travel down the road to another shelter and sanctuary for dogs and cats called Ghetto to Garden. Thomas, the founder of Ghetto to Garden, and his team also take in special needs dogs and cats that would not survive on their own as strays. There, I met Lolo, a Chihuahua who likes to be held in your arms and rocked to sleep under the warm rays of sunshine. Lolo will be adopted out soon to a loving home where he will have a bed to call his own. He has so much love to give. Our last stop of the day was at Dr. Lois’ office where we met a shipment of SPCAI’s veterinary supply aid coming in that day. The supplies arrived on a large pallet and included antibiotics, sterile surgical supplies, glucosamine, and more. The items will help both these sanctuaries as they provide spay and neuters, general medical treatment and emergency care to animals at their sanctuaries and throughout the local community. In addition to the donation of veterinary supplies, SPCAI gave them a financial grant that will fund other items necessary that will help them care for their animals and beyond. This was just one day I spent with our wonderful partners in the Dominican Republic. Their hard work continues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without these incredible people, many animals would have nothing but a hard, short life on the streets. SPCA International is proud to support their life-saving efforts.

OBP: Worldwide Rescues Come From the Heart

by SPCAI Staff

By Lori Kalef, Program Manager

I would never describe what I do for a living as work; it is a way of life. Animal welfare and rescue is not a 9 to 5 job, you never end your day, and you never begin. It just rolls from one to the next and if you’re like us, you wouldn’t have it any other way. There have been many days I have left a dinner party to speak to someone in Iraq or arranged an emergency pick up at 2am in Qatar from the phone that I keep beside my pillow. When an animal befriended by a U.S. service member deployed overseas is in need, that animal becomes our own and we do everything in our power to make sure that cat or dog arrives home safely.

Finding ways to transport these patriot pets to the United States is challenging enough, but often we must first transport them to a safe location in their current country where we have no staff or volunteers. That can be no easy feat! We often face hurdles that you only read about on the news: security checkpoints, animals being hidden from higher ranked officials, bombings and shootings, and the list goes on. One thing is for sure, the troops and U.S. contractors whose lives have been changed by their beloved four-legged battle buddies will stop at nothing to save their companions. Like-mindedness evokes a strong will; and where there is a will, there is a way.

I am often reminded of an email we received not too long ago from a veteran who described the relationship she had with a stray dog while deployed in Iraq more than a decade ago before our program existed. This Soldier rescued an innocent puppy from the hands of locals that were beating him to death. In return for saving his life, he saved hers from the terror that was escalating with each day in 2004 Iraq. But she wasn’t allowed to keep him even though he became completely dependent on her. She knew he would die if left to fend for himself so she pled her case in front of the regimental commander and promised to pay every penny to take her beloved savior home. She knew it would cost thousands, but she didn’t care. Thinking about leaving him behind kept her awake every night. What would become of her sweet, beautiful pup? Even though the General seemed moved by her plight, it just couldn't be done. She was devastated. When she wrote to us recently, she said she can still feel the physical pain she experienced when she looked into her dog’s eyes for the last time.

There are many stories like this one. In fact, at this very moment we are working to rescue over 40 dogs and cats befriended by service members deployed in Iraq, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait and Djibouti who all need our help. We are thrilled that so many brave, selfless service members are reaching out to us for help saving their furry friends. We are grateful that we are able to keep finding ways to get them home so that these service members don’t have to have their hearts broken like the Soldier who was forced to leave her battle buddy behind in 2004.

However, we simply can’t do it without your support, your generosity and your kindness. Please continue to follow and share our stories. Please continue to donate whenever you can. I promise to keep doing what I am doing – no matter the time day or night. Together we make a great, life-saving team.

Shelter Spotlight: Syrian Association for Rescuing Animals

by SPCAI Staff

By Emma Koeniger, SPCA International Staff

In April 2016, SPCA International received a plea from a refugee family in Canada. They had been unable to bring their beloved family dog, Fox, with them when they fled Syria. They were desperate to get him out. We immediately knew we had to help, and so we undertook what seemed like an impossible mission. 

During the planning stages of rescuing Fox, we came across the Syrian Association for Rescuing Animals (SARA). It seemed improbable to find a team of animal rescuers left in the war-torn country, but this amazing group refused to abandon the neglected animals of Damascus City.  With their help, SPCA International was able to make this refugee family’s dream come true. Fox was rescued and reunited with them in Montreal, Canada, in September 2016.

SARA is one of the only known animal welfare groups still left in the country. With an all-volunteer team they rescue and rehome animals that have seen the worst of war. When SPCA International started working with SARA for Fox’s rescue, SARA did not have a shelter facility, they’re resources were depleted and they had no consistent funding. Thanks to the unwavering support of SPCA International donors, we were able to award SARA a significant financial grant. That grant has allowed them to open a shelter facility – a dream that seemed impossible to them only months earlier.

Here is an exciting video tour of the land and buildings they have secured thanks to the SPCAI grant:

 

 

The SPCA International grant will allow SARA renovate this facility and cover the rent for an entire year. This outstanding organization that has filled a need for the homeless, injured and abused animals of Syria will finally have a shelter. It will help them serve even more animals caught in the middle of civil war.  We are honoured to be their partner in it. 

 

 

Operation Military Pets: Keeping Military Families Together

by SPCAI Staff

By Emma Koeniger, SPCAI staff

From Texas to Guam military families encounter overwhelming costs to transport their “fur-babies” causing many families to reach the difficult decision of surrendering their beloved pet to the local shelter. In 2013 SPCA International created Operation Military Pets. A program designed to help military families cope with the financial burden of transporting their pets when receiving permanent change of station orders (PCS). Originally intended to only be used for the transportation of cats and dogs, OMP has also assisted in the transportation costs for horses, birds and bunnies.

The Lacasse Family

"It was a very long 3 week journey for her and we missed her like crazy, but she is here and settling well. I have attached a few pictures of her and I want to thank you all again soooooo much for this generous gift. We are truly blessed to have had the support to help bring our beloved family member from overseas. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!"

The Lay Family

"We would like to thank SPCA International for the generous grant . Oliver made it to Germany safety. The grant was a blessing to our family. Oliver is loving our new home and we have taken a family trip to Berlin."

The Beisner Family

"Shiloh is home with us here in Hawaii. We are all setting in and have finally finished unpacking. Thank you again to this amazing organization for all they did to keep our little family together. This picture was taken on New Year's Day of us all together with our 'shy guy'."

The Lasater Family

"I received the grant this morning. We are so thankful for the help and happy to have our pets with us here at the new duty station! Thank you for this and the work that you do!"

The Alford Family

"The SPCAI OMP [program] is an amazing organization! It means so much to us military families to have our furry family move with us as we move from base to base. We can't thank the SPCA OMP for working to help raise money to transport our bulldog with us to Japan. Just a little money goes a long way to help keep our family complete."

These are just a few families out of the over 800 families that SPCA International has been able to assist over the last 4 years. The cost of pet transportation can costs thousands of dollars, these families have felt this financial strain. Through the Operation Military Pets program, SPCA International will continue to keep these military families together and pets out of shelters. 

Toby and Friends’ Harrowing Rescue

by SPCAI Staff
By Lori Kalef, Program Manager It’s another year and what a kick off to 2017 it has been! While everyone was celebrating the countdown to the end of 2016, our team was working around the clock to rescue two beautiful dogs and one gorgeous cat from a U.S. military base in Egypt.  They belong to three extraordinary U.S. Soldiers whose lives have been changed by these four legged creatures they befriended while on deployment. “I want to rescue Toby because of the relationship we have built. He is a young dog that has been helpful to me and I want to give him a good life.” – U.S. Army SSgt. Clayton in Sinai, Egypt Every rescue mission we embark on reaps rewards, but they don’t come with out bumps along the way. We wish it was as simple as arranging their flights home and welcoming them on the other side, but every country has its challenges, especially those in conflict. Egypt is no exception and even though we had our amazing rescue representative on the ground, the obstacles this mission presented had me purchasing antacids near midnight. It can take months to arrange these rescues and it takes a plethora of individuals on the ground locally and stateside to coordinate the timing, export and import process, inoculations and so much more. With this particular rescue, the military had to be willing to transport the animals via military air due to the restricted civilian presence on base. Luckily Toby, a mixed breed pup with adorable freckles and a sweet kitty named Jasmine were brought over from Sinai to Sharm el Sheikh (our departure city) in time. But at the very last minute, we received word that Bounty, a cute little pup, was left behind due to spacing issues on the flight. We don’t get many chances at this so you can imagine how all of us were completely heartbroken; thinking the worst. We retired for the night after examining all possible options and we awoke to the greatest news ever. Unbeknownst to us, a few heroic Soldiers that couldn’t fathom Bounty being left behind pulled some strings and brought him to Sharm el Sheikh early the next morning! I am so lucky to witness heroes like these move mountains for dogs and cats. “On a deployment, anything that resembles home is priceless. Being away from everyone and everything you know, in a foreign land can be unsettling if not downright depressing at times. When Bounty was brought to my camp from an outpost, it was like Christmas in October…for the next 16 weeks or so we were inseparable! Bounty would go to the clinic with me for my 12hr shifts and back to my barracks to cuddle up and watch movies for the night. Not much is better than the unconditional love only a dog is capable of giving! Time off was spent running around outside, learning (and failing, lol) to walk on a leash, and chewing his fair share of my boots! He was lucky he was cute! …I’m still not believing this is really happening. I get to be this sweet puppy’s forever home. He rescued me when I needed him, and now I get to rescue him.” –U.S. Army Sgt. Leigh in Sinai, Egypt  The obstacles didn’t stop there though. There were some other last minute problems with the airline, but we all finally exhaled a sigh of relief when we got word that they were in flight and en route to John F Kennedy Airport in New York. As fate would have it, an eastern snowstorm came blustering through, but they were able to land safely. However, the connecting flights to their final destinations and forever homes were all grounded for several days. As Toby, Bounty and Jasmine settled into their warm quarters in New York, little white flakes fell from the sky, a completely foreign concept to our new furry foreigners! “Several months ago.. Jasmine [a stray cat] started showing up around our barracks. I seized the opportunity to feed her my girlfriend’s cat food. As time went on, Jasmine became more and more comfortable with me. I ended up buying a large bag of cat food and some toys for her, and she now sleeps on my bed at night. I am proud to say that I take care of Jasmine just as much as she takes care of me by helping me through the tougher times during my tour.” –U.S. Army Sgt. Harley, Sinai, Egypt  Today, Toby, Bounty and Jasmine have made it to their new homes and we can finally celebrate – all thanks to you – our generous supporters.

Spanish Greyhound Humane Education Center Opening in Spain

by SPCAI Staff

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

In 2013, a team from SPCA International traveled to Barcelona, Spain, to meet with our partner organization, SOS Galgos. For years they have been working to stop the torture of Spanish Greyhounds (galgos) in Spain. Since that first field work trip, the partnership between SPCAI and SOS Galgos has blossomed into a force fighting for ending the practice of hare coursing in Spain. 

Over the years we have been on the front lines of this issue. From protesting through the streets of Barcelona to speaking at the Congress of Deputies in Madrid we have seized opportunities to speak out against this cruel practice. 

Around the world, the most important component to ending cruelty toward animals is humane education. It has always been an important piece of SOS Galgos work. Now, after 4 years of planning, SOS Galgos is proud to announce they have broken ground (VIDEO) on a humane education center in Esplugues near Barcelona; the first of its kind anywhere in the world. They have been granted land by the government to educate the community and encourage participation. SPCA International has pledged our largest Shelter Support Fund grant ever to ensure the future of this project – $40,000 over two years.  

I recently received this message from SOS Galgos founder, Anna Clements:

“First steps towards the construction of our very first education centre.

The first phase, of what has seemed like an obstacle race in order to set up our school in Esplugues, has begun. A substantial piece of land, granted to us by the local council, will serve as a school to help teach local children about responsible pet ownership as well as help people with special needs, the focus always being on rescued galgos whom will always be present at the school.

We have had to endure huge bureaucratic set backs but today, finally, machines were at work on the land to get some basic work started. 

Let's hope that this will be the start of a model that can be implanted all around Spain to contribute to improve the welfare of galgos, and all animals in general for that matter, for generations to come. 

Thanks to the grant given to us by SPCA International as well as your donations, we will be able to fund the rental of the [prefab] building, the fencing and the architect's fees.”

Together, SPCAI and SOS Galgos will continue to work to end the suffering of these beautiful, gentle animals. Community education will ensure that future generations have compassion and empathy toward animals and understand why the tradition of hare coursing with galgo and podenco are inhumane. Together we are making our world a better place.

To add your voice, please sign our Spanish Greyhound petition encouraging the government to outlaw this cruel practice.