Category: Feature Stories

ONE WEEK from now, the wheels go up on the most ambitious rescue SPCA International has ever undertaken.

We were founded in 2006 with a simple mission: To advance the safety and well-being of animals.

It’s no secret that honoring this mission can fill your heart one day and break it the next.

Today, as our rescue partners around the world prepare for this monumental flight to finally take place, we are proud to share the events and spotlight the many efforts that have set the stage for animal rescue history to be made.

August 2021:

In the chaotic days before NATO forces pulled out of Afghanistan, the team at Kabul Small Animal Rescue valiantly tackled the daunting task of trying to coordinate an evacuation of the 130 cats and dogs in their care.

As the situation became more tense, a passionate plea from KSAR founder, Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, went viral and triggered a response from multiple organizations (SPCAI included). With time running out, teams worked around the clock tapping every resource at their disposal. 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.

We were all devastated, but we knew that these cats and dogs were still counting on us and we refused to give up.

Fall 2021:

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. While that took place, we worked relentlessly with Charlotte and our longstanding partner, War Paws, to formulate a new plan to evacuate the animals. With the US CDC suspension on canine imports from over 100 countries (Afghanistan included), we knew Canada would be our best option.

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November 2021:

As winter loomed, a new coalition with War Paws, Marley’s Mutts, RainCoast Dog Rescue Society and Thank DOG I Am Out (TDIAO) was formed to set up a temporary facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, that could receive almost 300 animals still in KSAR’s care. This dedicated group worked non-stop, following strict guidelines, fully documenting every animal for import and setting up a facility that meets every regulation in record time.

January 2022:

We are proud to announce that after working day and night with our partners for the last two months, the facility is ready and we have a chartered plane booked to make the journey. Experienced staff and over 200 volunteers are on standby, a full-time veterinarian is under contract, and countless adopters and rescue organizations are lining up to give these animals the safe homes they deserve.

We cannot stress enough how challenging this process has been. How thankful we are to have incredible companies like Signature Flight Support, Modu-Loc, and King of Floors in our corner – it would have been impossible to do this without your support. But most importantly, it is animal lovers like YOU, making donations big and small, that have made this a reality. THANK YOU!

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Next Week:

Our work won’t stop once the plane touches down in Vancouver. Our precious cargo of cats and dogs will require round-the-clock care as they embark on the next chapter of their lives here in North America. Please contact us for more information on how to volunteer, foster or adopt.

“Happily Ever After”

Writing fairytale endings for animals was what fueled our creation in 2006, and it’s what drives SPCA International today.

We are very proud of our role in this historic rescue and how far we’ve come as an organization – as always, your support makes it all possible. Thank you!

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

Thank you to everyone who recently donated for the care of pups waiting overseas to be reunited with the soldiers who love them. Though they haven’t made it to their soldier’s homes yet, we are happy to share this sweet interview with a soldier who has been reunited with his pup.

Zoey was in terrible pain and grave danger from infection, with a wound covering much of her back. Her rescuers aren’t exactly sure what happened, but the wound makes them believe some cruel person tried to skin her alive.

Thankfully, they had access to veterinary supplies through SPCA International’s Veterinary Supply Aid program and were able to ease Zoey’s pain while staving off infection. Zoey’s story could have had a much different ending without those life-saving supplies.

Today, Zoey has fully healed, both in body and soul. She happily lives with her new family in Germany, where she is loved and nurtured.

SPCA International’s Veterinary Supply Aid program helps thousands of animals like Zoey each year by ensuring shelters and rescue groups have the supplies they need to treat the wounded and sick they rescue. The program is critical for groups that struggle to source and afford adequate supplies.

Thank you for supporting Zoey’s recovery and the care of so many other animals in need.

This year, many animals around the globe remained at-risk as the pandemic continued to threaten economies and livelihoods. The poorest countries have been hardest hit and it is no coincidence they are also some of the countries with the worst conditions for animals. 

Thanks to you, SPCA International was able to rush aid where it was needed most. These are just a few of the things we accomplished together in 2021.

Thank you for making this important work possible. YOUR support saved lives and eased suffering in 2021. We look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2022. 

Remember Elena? Last December this sweet momma dog was found starving and badly burned by the fire that killed her pups. Today, thanks to immense support from the SPCA International community, Elena has been restored in body and soul. Her hair has grown back, but perhaps the most impactful thing is the look of life in her eyes. Gone is the scared, heartbroken and hurting girl whose pups were burned to death. Now, Elena has been happily welcomed into a forever family in the U.S.

Elena’s road to recovery wasn’t easy. The shelter that saved her in Azerbaijan spent months treating her injuries and helping her body recover. Then she went to a rescue group and foster home in Chicago. At first, she was afraid of everything, mirrors, the TV and radio, any loud sound. Her foster family worked diligently to show her love and teach her to trust. 

Now, Elena is safe with a loving forever family where she’ll be cared for and protected for the rest of her life. Thank you to everyone who supported Elena’s journey to health and healing.

Sergeant Ryan adopted Lebbie when she was just eight weeks old. Their bond was immediate, and Lebbie spent the remaining months of the Sergeant’s deployment under his feet and by his side. So, when it was time for Sergeant Ryan’s time in Lebanon to end, he was heartbroken to find out that new CDC restrictions put Lebbie at risk of being left behind.

Undeterred, he worked through all the paperwork and was granted a 30-day window to bring Lebbie into the U.S. SPCA International worked with Ryan to make sure everything was in order for Lebbie’s travel. With the tight travel window, we had to get it right. 

With the support of many generous individuals, Lebbie was given the best care possible while all of her veterinary clearances and paperwork were compiled. Finally, with lots of careful planning, Lebbie recently reunited with Sergeant Ryan. We hope you enjoy this heartwarming video of their reunion.  Thank you to everyone who made this moment possible. 

SPCA International proudly sponsored a November Pet Rescue Pilots flight to relocate 22 dogs from California to Victoria, BC. This innovative organization moves animals from areas with many shelter dogs to areas where there are many families waiting to adopt. It might sound simple, but the logistics of moving 22 dogs over international borders are complicated! A truly beautiful partnership, three incredible organizations worked together to make this mission a success.

Marley’s Mutts saved each of these animals from euthanasia in California and worked tirelessly to teach them trust and manners. Pet Rescue Pilots coordinated and carried out the flight from California to British Columbia. Then, Raincoast Dog Rescue expertly received the 22 pups and placed them into waiting foster homes where the dogs will spend a short time before being welcomed into loving forever homes. We are thrilled to know that these 22 dogs will be loved and cared for by their new families.

Plant-based diets are gaining traction as people learn more about the benefits of eating less meat. Check out this catchy video that makes a great case for veganism. The stats may surprise you, but the benefits are real for animals, for our health and for the planet.

Learn more about leading a plant-based lifestyle.

Each year, we ask our SPCA International staff team for their favorite pet products of the year and they never cease to amaze with their incredible picks. We hope this list makes your holiday shopping just a bit easier for all the pets and pet people in your life. Enjoy!

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. Having more than one dog especially can make nighttime walking a precarious activity. They may be little in size but not in shine; these lights provide extra safety for our evening strolls and make great conversation pieces too! 

Cats can be moody, but once they get their own window perch, they’ll be the happiest kitty around. Quick to set up and easy to clean, cats will love looking out the window and watching the birds and wildlife all the time. Even better? It comes with a one-year guarantee!

When traveling with a big fur-baby, this backseat dog hammock will keep pups comfortable while protecting car upholstery. Non-slip, durable, waterproof and padded, this product from Active Pets is also versatile. When not being used as a hammock, it can be folded down on the back seat and seatbelts can be threaded through. It can also be used as a cargo cover!

What could be better than The Dogist, a book by Elias Weiss filled with hundreds of dog portraits and short, fun descriptions about their personalities? The Dogist Puppies, of course! Both books are absolutely adorable and will bring plenty of smiles to anyone who flips through them!

Pet fur can frustrate even the most loving of pet parents, but the Chom Chom Roller can ease their stress. With no sticky sheets and a reusable design, this pet fur product will keep furniture and clothing pet fur-free. Great for multi-pet households and anyone with a furry friend. 

A great gift for pet parents who love to cook, this dog treat maker comes with dog-friendly recipes and makes eight bones at a time. Plus, dog treat chefs can control the ingredients, ensuring their pups get only the healthiest foods. Making homemade dog treats for holiday baskets and gifts could be a great family activity! 

Not just any dog treat, Bucket’s Biscuits were designed for a picky eater rescued through SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide program. Healthy and tasty, a portion of proceeds from Bucket’s Biscuits sales are donated to support SPCA International’s work rescuing pets for military members stationed overseas. 

These coats from L.L. Bean are trendy and practical for all the best winter adventures! Not only are they reversible for pooches with style, but the hassle-free design also eliminates the need to put paws through small openings. Two velcro straps and a harness/leash opening at the back of the neck make this coat easy on and easy off. It can also be machine washed and dried!

At-home pet grooming is simple and quick with this home grooming set. A couple of important features include a quiet motor so pets don’t get spooked and a rechargeable battery so getting tangled in a cord is never a worry. For the do-it-yourselfer, this set can help save hundreds of dollars a year in pet grooming costs.

Do you remember Cathulhu and Sergeant Arielle? They bonded after tiny Cathulhu found her way into the barracks on a U.S. military base in Lithuania. Sergeant Arielle’s heart broke for the weak, emaciated and sick kitten, but she saved Cathulhu’s life and nursed her back to health. When it came time for Sergeant Arielle to return to the U.S. she reached out to SPCA International for help. On her own, it was impossible to get Cathulhu to her home in Florida.

Cathulhu traveled from Lithuania to Poland where her travel paperwork and veterinary requirements have been processed. She has been in good company with several other cats waiting to be reunited with the U.S. military members who saved them. We are thrilled to share that the thoughtful cats in this video are all scheduled to arrive in the U.S. during Thanksgiving week! Sergeant Arielle will be waiting at the airport in Florida to welcome Cathulhu to her forever home.