Archives: Press

SPCA International Disappointed by Decision by Chinese to Legalize Tiger and Rhino Products 

 

New York, NY (November 6, 2018) – SPCA International Executive Director Meredith Ayan released the following statement in response to the Chinese government legalizing the use of Tiger and Rhino products for medical use.

"We are devastated by the Chinese government's decision to reverse the essential ban on trading in tiger and rhino products. It has long been proven that these animal body parts, primarily rhino horn and tiger bone, are not effective for medical use, and the only purpose they serve is to cause unnecessary suffering and death to these species.  When the ban was implemented in 1993, it was to protect endangered species; in that time these populations have steadily declined, and this decision will only increase their rapid disappearance from our planet. With the reopening of this cruel trade, the increased poaching and illegal procurement of tiger bone and rhino horn for profit will inevitably place the estimated 4,000 tigers and 30,000 rhinos left in the wild in even more peril and speed us toward their total extinction." 

About SPCA International

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Operation Military Families Reaches $1 Million in Support to Families 

More than 1,400 grants have been distributed since the program’s inception in 2013 

New York, NY (November 6, 2018) – SPCA International (SPCAI) is pleased to announce that its program Operation Military Pets has distributed more than $1 million in grants to families who are stationed around the world.

When military families are ordered to a new base in the U.S. or around the world, moving bills pile up. The military pays for many moving costs, but they don’t help our military families relocate the family pet. The cost for pet transportation can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars. All over the United States shelters near military bases report high surrender rates when military families can’t afford to relocate their dog or cat. Military families are being torn apart.

SPCA International’s Operation Military Pets was started to keep military families together by providing financial assistance for pet relocation costs. All branches of the military can qualify for grants. Whether being relocated within the United States or anywhere in the world.

 “We are so proud to be able to help so many families who serve their country stay together with the pets they love, these grants have really made a difference,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International.

SPCAI has given 1405 grants and reunited 1808 animals with their families. Pets include dogs, cats, horses, bunnies and one bird and families have been stationed in 20 counties across the world.

 

About SPCA International

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

SPCA International Awards Grants to Smaller Animal Groups Worldwide Totaling $300,000+ in 2018

 $24,000 in grants will fund animal rescue programs and organizations this month alone

 

New York, NY (October 18, 2018) – SPCA International (SPCAI) is pleased to announce the recipients of grant funding awarded by the organization in the past month that will provide support to important programs that improve the safety and well-being of animals around the globe.

The funding is distributed through SPCAI’s Shelter Support Fund which supports and partners with smaller animal groups domestically and worldwide to increase their impact. Since 2007, SPCA International has assisted over 350 animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and more than 60 countries around the world.

“We are excited and proud to be able to support these deserving partners with funds that will help them carry out their mission and ours. Together we are improving the lives of countless animals in need,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International. 

SPCAI has given over $300,000 in grants to shelters worldwide so far in 2018, and that number will surpass $400,000 before the end of the year. The grant program focuses on smaller shelters and rescue groups with little to no donor base. SPCAI funding allows these organizations to rescue, treat, vaccinate, sterilize and home more animals, and in some cases even keeps them from closing their doors.

The latest recipients are: Unidad de Proteccion in the Dominican Republic; Syrian Association for Rescuing Animals (SARA) in Syria; Dharamsala Animal Rescue in Himachal Pradesh; Playa Animal Rescue in Mexico; Aslan's Cats in NY; Scaredy Cat Rescue in Newfoundland and Sneha's Care in Nepal.

For more information on these organizations please visit:

https://www.spcai.org/get-involved/shelter-support-fund/shelter-list/

About SPCA International

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.