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!
Author: SPCAI Staff
Visiting Partners in the Dominican Republic
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 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 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 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.
Spanish Greyhound Humane Education Center Opening in Spain
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.
Toby and Friends’ Harrowing Rescue
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.
Victoria & Friends Update: Ongoing treatment and a forever home
We first met Victoria in Brazil in August while working to protect animals ahead of the Olympic Games. The extent of Victoria’s injuries shocked us to our core. She was deliberately burned and left to suffer, along with 13 other dogs.
Today, Victoria’s recovery seems miraculous! She has almost fully recovered and her joyful spirit is infectious. Her 13 friends are also receiving veterinary treatment and all the care they need. In just a couple weeks Victoria will leave her old life in Brazil behind for a beautiful one in the United States with a family that absolutely adores her. Victoria will never again be the victim of abuse. Below you will find two videos and a gallery of images of Victoria and her friends.
Getting Down With Down Alternatives
By Lori Kalef, SPCAI Staff
There is nothing warm and cozy about cuddling with a blanket or wearing a jacket made from down.
While not every company uses the 'live plucking' method, a very large percentage does, the better part originating from China (80%). The typical process of plucking feathers is excruciatingly painful for geese and ducks. The birds are live-plucked for the first time at about ten weeks old, and are plucked again four to six times a year until they are sent to slaughter at about four years old. The workers hoist them up by their necks, their legs get tied, and their feathers are pulled out in large chunks in a process that the industry refers to as "ripping"; the birds struggle and panic, sometimes even breaking limbs in an attempt to escape.
Luckily you can help eradicate this trade by not purchasing anything made from down and in this day and age there are so many warm and stylish alternatives! One of the most common down alternatives is the use of blown fibers and fiber balls. These fibers are blown inside the garment in a very similar manner to how down feathers are added. These down alternatives provide an entirely similar degree of softness and warmth similar as that of down. You often can’t tell the difference, and you might even prefer the alternative in a blind test.
One stand-out down alternative brand called “Save the Duck” is a smart and ethical company that looks to the future, not just to capture the new trends, but to strive for a shared objective: living in a totally animal-cruelty-free world. Their products are 100% animal free and do not utilize feathers, leather, hide or fur.
On Outside Online you can find a comprehensive list of down alternative outerwear, check out it out!
Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Pet
Recommended by Meredith Ayan, Executive Director
If there’s one thing Lilah loves more than anything, especially as we get into these cold winter months in NY, it’s her Bowsers bed. The day I brought it home she took one look, climbed in and passed out! She loves it because it’s so cozy, and I love it because it’s durable and machine washable. I used to buy less expensive beds and replace them every six months or so, but we’ve had her Bowsers bed for two years and will for many more to come.
Recommended by Stephanie Scott, Director of Communications
Cats need stimulation! Food puzzles are a great way to challenge their minds and senses while keeping them from overeating. This Food Tree will be under our tree on Christmas morning with a tag labeled “To Blueberry. With love from, Santa.” For more information about food puzzles on the market and difficulty ratings visit this wonderful site dedicated to the topic: Food Puzzles for Cats. This site has a section on Wet Food Puzzles and how to make your own food puzzle at home with readily available supplies.
Recommended by Anne Abbot, Development and Donor Services Manager
If there is one thing my cat Charlie loves it’s his Whack-a-Mouse toy. It’s fun for him to try and guess which hole the mouse will pop out of next, and when it does poke through one of the holes he quickly tries to catch it. It’s endless fun for the both of us!
Recommend by Lori Kalef, Program Manager
My dogs love a good game of catch and nothing beats the Chuck It Classic. It gets the job done far better than any strong throwing arm can muster. It wears out your pooches in less time and boy is it fun to watch them run, run, run. Sometimes I wonder if I like this toy better than they do!
Emma Koeniger, Executive Assistant
I cannot count the amount of toys I used purchase and inevitably throw away after a few weeks because my dog Kuma has ripped them up beyond repair. Thankfully we found Fluff & Tuff. These toys are not only adorable, but they can take a beating. Kuma has had his for the last few years and will probably un-wrap the Holiday Gator this year.