Category: Feature Stories

At SPCA International, we are deeply committed to protecting animals and the communities they live in. This World Rabies Day, we are thrilled to highlight the significant strides being made to combat rabies, a deadly but entirely preventable disease. By supporting our incredible partners around the globe, we are taking action to ensure that more animals and people are saved from this threat.

This year, we proudly provided over $43,000 in grants to support vaccination clinics in areas where they are needed most. With our assistance, vaccination events are being held in Tanzania, Pakistan, Uganda, Peru, and Zimbabwe. We estimate that these initiatives will vaccinate over 30,000 stray and owned animals, a critical step in preventing the spread of rabies.

Rabies is a disease that not only endangers the lives of animals but also poses a severe risk to humans, particularly in communities with large populations of unvaccinated dogs. Vaccinating dogs is one of the most effective ways to control rabies outbreaks and protect public health. Each vaccine administered moves us one step closer to eradicating rabies worldwide.

We are incredibly proud of our partners’ dedication and hard work in these countries. Their tireless efforts are making a real difference in the fight against rabies. From bustling cities to remote villages, these vaccination clinics reach animals that might otherwise go unprotected, bringing hope and safety to countless communities.

At SPCA International, our mission is to support and empower these local efforts, ensuring that resources and assistance are available where needed most. As we celebrate World Rabies Day, we remain steadfast in our commitment to eradicating rabies and creating a safer world for animals and people.

Thank you for supporting this vital cause. Together, we are making a lasting impact, one vaccine at a time.

As we recognize Recovery Month, it’s important to celebrate the profound bond between humans and their pets. This bond often provides the strength and motivation to persevere through life’s most challenging moments. Pets offer unconditional love, companionship, and a sense of purpose, especially for those battling addiction. At SPCA International, we understand how vital this connection can be, which is why we’re proud to offer our PAWsitive Recovery program, a lifeline for both people and their beloved animals during times of crisis.

The PAWsitive Recovery Program: A Safe Haven for Pets

Addiction can be an isolating and overwhelming struggle, but the presence of a loyal pet can make all the difference. Our PAWsitive Recovery program is designed to support individuals on their journey to recovery by ensuring that their pets are well cared for while they focus on healing. We provide safe foster homes or board and train facilities for pets, offering peace of mind to their owners as they undergo treatment.

Knowing that their furry companions are safe and loved allows individuals to focus on their recovery without the added stress of worrying about their pets. For many, this assurance is crucial in their decision to seek help. Our program is not just about saving animals; it’s about saving lives by preserving the bond between humans and their pets.

Remembering Sean and Pickles: A Story of Love and Loss

In honoring Recovery Month, we also honor those we’ve lost. Sean, who reached out to our PAWsitive Recovery program for help earlier this year, was one of those individuals. Sean’s love for animals was evident throughout his life, and it was a source of solace during his darkest days. Highs and lows marked his journey, but his dog, Pickles, was a constant source of comfort and joy. Sean referred to Pickles as “the only friend he had.”

Sean’s mother shared with us, “Sean has always loved animals and brought all our pets to the family. In college, a puppy ended up on his front porch. He named him Roscoe and quickly grew to love him so much we said no girlfriend could compete. When he was deep in his addiction, he was unable to care for Roscoe and had to allow him to be adopted by someone who could give him a stable home.”

The loss of Roscoe was a turning point for Sean, leading him to seek sobriety. Once he got back on his feet, he found a new companion in Pickles, an Aussie puppy who quickly became the center of Sean’s world.

“Caring for Pickles gave Sean purpose and the ability to see a future,” his mother explained. “We knew Sean needed to have a companion to give him a reason to stay sober.”

Tragically, Sean lost his battle with addiction. We are heartbroken for his family, friends, and his beloved Pickles. While we mourn Sean’s loss, we are grateful that we could provide Pickles with a loving foster home while Sean sought help. Knowing that Pickles was safe gave Sean peace of mind during his treatment. Although Sean and Pickles didn’t get the happy ending they deserved, we are comforted by the knowledge that Pickles has since found a forever home where he is being showered with love and attention.

A Message of Hope

Sean’s story poignantly reminds us of the importance of reaching out for help when it’s needed, and the comfort that pets can provide during the most difficult times. Addiction is a devastating disease, but no one has to face it alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. There is hope, and there are resources available to help you heal—both for you and your beloved pets.

At SPCA International, we are committed to supporting people and their pets through our PAWsitive Recovery program. Together, we can help more people find the strength to overcome addiction and ensure that their loyal companions are waiting for them on the other side.

WeWard App, a revolutionary mobile application, is changing how people make a difference. By tracking users’ steps and converting them into points, the app offers a variety of rewards, including the option to donate to a favorite charity. This innovative approach has empowered countless individuals to turn their daily steps into impactful contributions.

Recently, the WeWard community united to support SPCA International’s PAWsitive Recovery program, resulting in an incredible $10,000 donation. Our PAWsitive Recovery program is dedicated to giving both people in recovery and animals in shelters a new “leash” on life. It focuses on healing the wounds of addiction, trauma, and abuse by offering temporary pet foster care for individuals seeking treatment or recovering from domestic violence. The program also includes animal-focused workshops and animal-assisted therapy in treatment centers and shelters.

This generous donation will make a tremendous difference in the lives of people and animals in need. We are incredibly grateful to the kind team at WeWard and everyone who participated by tracking their steps. Your daily walk is now a powerful tool for change; together, we are making a meaningful impact.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to creating a better world for all.

We are overjoyed to provide an update on the incredible rescue of 27 puppies from China’s horrific dog meat trade. Earlier this summer, our dedicated shelter partner in China, Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre Of Guangyuan, conducted a brave undercover operation, leading them to a breeder raising puppies to sell at the notorious Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Eventually, they were able to convince the breeder to release the puppies into their care. It is because of their courageous efforts that these puppies have been saved from a brutal death.

Upon rescue, nearly half of the puppies were found to be severely ill with Canine Distemper and Parvovirus. They were rushed to the hospital, where 13 of them spent over a month receiving intensive care. Today, we are thrilled to share that all of these puppies are out of the hospital, healthy, and thriving under the loving care of our local partner.

The transformation in these puppies is nothing short of miraculous. They are now happy, playful, and enjoying the simple joys of being puppies. This rescue and subsequent care came at a significant cost, but thanks to the incredible generosity of donors like you, we were able to support their rescue and give them a second chance at life.

We sincerely thank our donors, whose compassion and support made this rescue possible. Your contributions have saved lives and given these puppies a future filled with love and happiness.

We are also profoundly grateful to our brave partners who continue to fight against the dog meat trade. Their unwavering dedication and courage in the face of such a daunting challenge inspire us all.

Earlier this year, we partnered with the Animal and Environment Association (AEA) in Bethlehem to bring ten dogs from Palestine to the safety of the United States. It was a challenging mission, but these brave dogs are now all in loving homes, living the safe and happy lives they deserve.

Unfortunately, conditions in the West Bank continue to deteriorate, affecting both people and animals. Supplies are running low, and AEA has limited funds to purchase essential food and medicine. The animals are terrified by the constant noise of bombs and fighting. As more people flee the region, more animals are left behind, desperate for help.

AEA is determined to rescue as many animals as possible but can’t do it alone. The shelter has dozens of dogs in need of loving homes. Will you open your heart and home to one of these animals? When you adopt one dog, you actually save two by making room for another rescue from the dangerous streets.

Check Out Some of The Available Dogs:

Are you interested in adopting? Please email [email protected] or visit AEA Bethlehem Shelter for more information. 

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news! Thanks to the incredible kindness and generosity of Lemonade and its customers, SPCA International has been awarded $61,239 through Lemonade’s Give Back program. This significant grant will have a profound impact on our mission to provide life-saving care, rescue, transport, shelter construction, and disaster relief aid for animals in over 70 countries.

With this funding, we can offer low-cost and free clinics with vital preventative care to underserved areas around the globe. Additionally, we’ll be able to reunite soldiers and refugees overseas with their beloved pets, ensuring no animal is left behind.

We estimate this grant will positively impact the lives of 12,247 animals worldwide. Animals in need from Brazil to Ukraine, Cambodia to Morocco, and Tanzania will receive the food and care they deserve.

SPCA International is deeply honored to be one of the organizations that Lemonade customers choose to support through their innovative Give Back program. Lemonade, a home and renters insurance company, has ingeniously woven social good into its business model. By charging customers a flat fee and reserving the remaining premiums to pay claims, any leftover money is donated to the customer’s chosen charity at the end of the year as a “give-back” donation.

We are immensely grateful to everyone who donated their unused premium to help animals in need. Your support is making a world of difference, and together, we are creating a brighter future for animals everywhere.

Thank you, Lemonade, and thank you to all the generous customers who chose to make a positive impact through their donations. Your compassion and support are truly life-changing!

Brazil endured two weeks of relentless heavy rain in late April and early May, submerging much of the Rio Grande do Sul region. Water levels surged to the rooftops, sweeping away cars and destroying much of the infrastructure. The disaster has claimed 172 lives and displaced around 800,000 people. The flooding also impacted thousands of animals, particularly strays, who had nowhere to go and no one to protect them. 

Upon receiving reports of animals stranded on rooftops, desperately awaiting rescue, we knew immediate action was needed. Our team swiftly mobilized, contacting local partners and rushing funds to secure essential supplies for rescue operations.

Thanks to the generosity of compassionate donors like you, we raised enough funds to support Only Cats, a private clinic that opened its doors to stray cats during the flooding. The clinic quickly became overwhelmed with the influx of cats, with more arriving daily. Our team provided crucial assistance, including financial support for three air conditioning units and creating temporary housing for the new arrivals. Together, we helped over 350 stray cats, many of whom are now in loving foster homes.

Recognizing that many animals were still stranded in the Sao Leopoldo area, we assembled a rescue team. Locals alerted us to the dire situation: scared, starving cats and dogs were beginning to eat each other. We knew swift action was crucial.

Led by the remarkable local rescuer Jackson Ferreira and Resgatinhos Itacuruca, the team rescued terrified stray cats from rooftops and brought them to safety. They also scaled buildings to enter flooded homes where pets had been left behind. Working tirelessly day and night, the team saved 47 cats, three dogs, and one chicken from the flood zone.

On dry land, the rest of our team aided at makeshift shelters housing over 3,000 animals evacuated from the flood zone. While some animals have reunited with their owners, much work remains. Many animals still await their families, and countless strays need loving homes.

Thanks to Indefesos, a wonderful organization in Rio de Janeiro, Indefesos, some animals are already on their way to finding new families. After being rescued from the flood zone, we helped transport two dogs and three cats to their shelter, where they received the medical attention, love, and care needed to prepare for adoption. It warms our hearts to know they will soon be with loving families.

The devastation caused by this flood is indescribable. Our hearts go out to all the people and animals of Brazil who have lost so much. We hope we can play a small role in rebuilding what was lost.

Thank you to everyone who made these rescues possible, especially: Resgatinhos Itacuruca, Oito Vidas, and Osindefesos. You are true heroes.

Donate today to help ongoing efforts in Brazil.

Animal rescue laws differ widely worldwide, making international rescues particularly challenging. When we learned about a group of horses abandoned in a junkyard in Morocco, we knew it wouldn’t be easy to save them, but we were determined. Some horses had already died, and we knew we had to act swiftly to save the remaining ten.

Thanks to our generous supporters, we raised funds to purchase land and build a stable near our local partner’s property. While construction began, the Morocco Animal Aid team visited the horses daily, providing food, water, and medical care. However, gaining legal ownership of the horses proved more challenging than anticipated. After weeks of negotiations, we finally succeeded in bringing the horses into safe care.

The horses have started healing and are ready to embrace their new home. And Morocco Animal Aid has been working with local authorities to ensure that they are alerted if any other horses are abandoned in the junkyard, allowing them to act before it’s too late. The newly constructed sanctuary houses twelve horses, including the ten rescued from the junkyard.

We will never forget the horrific conditions the horses endured or the innocent lives lost. However, it brings us immense joy to have saved the others, who will now live the rest of their lives peacefully.

At SPCA International, we love spoiling our pets with delicious treats, which is why we are thrilled to have Swell Dog Gelato as one of our corporate sponsors. Swell Gelato is crafted with high-quality, wholesome ingredients and no preservatives. They offer a variety of delightful flavors, including Banana Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Cheddar, and their special birthday flavor—It’s My Barkday. Additionally, Swell provides gourmet dog food toppers, adding a healthy twist to your pup’s meals.

Swell Dog Gelato has been supporting SPCA International since 2019 when the company was founded in Seattle. By donating a portion of their proceeds to our programs, Swell has positively impacted the lives of countless animals in need.

We are excited to announce that Swell’s dog-approved gelato is now available on the East Coast—something the pups at our headquarters are very excited about. If your furry friend hasn’t tried their gelato yet, check to see if it’s available at a store near you. Treat your pup to something special while also supporting dogs in need.

“Portion of Proceeds” Transparency Statement: Swell Dog Gelato, Inc pledges to donate 4 percent of sales proceeds to SPCA International for the foreseeable future.

We’re excited to team up with WeWard once again to raise funds for animals in need. Last time, we raised $5,000 for our Patriot Pets program, reuniting brave U.S. service members with the animals they rescue and befriend during deployment. Thanks to the incredible animal-loving team at WeWard and our dedicated supporters, we reached our goal quickly. This time, we’re aiming to raise $10,000 for our PAWsitive Recovery program, which provides temporary shelter and care for the pets of individuals recovering from addiction and escaping domestic abuse.

How WeWard Works

Helping animals in need through the WeWard app is easy and free. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Every Ward you donate will help positively change the lives of vulnerable individuals and the pets they love. There’s no better or easier way to give back, so don’t wait. Download the WeWard app today, start walking, and saving lives!

About PAWsitive Recovery

PAWsitive Recovery, SPCA International’s newest program, offers a new “leash” on life for people in recovery and animals in shelters, helping them heal from addiction, trauma, and domestic violence. Many people avoid getting help because they have no one to care for their pets while they’re away. No one should have to lose a pet to help themselves.

PAWsitive Recovery provides pet foster care for individuals seeking treatment or recovering from domestic violence, alleviating the fear of losing their pets forever. Knowing their beloved pet is cared for makes all the difference. We also facilitate partnerships with recovery centers and animal shelters to offer workshops that integrate animals, therapy, meditation, and exercise to help with the loneliness, stress, and depression that often accompany recovery.