Archives: Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — There was a happy reunion Thursday night at Portland International Airport.

The SPCA International reunited 3 Oregon Air National Guard members with dogs they befriended while on deployment in Romania.

The reunion was coordinated and paid for by “Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide.”

For Joshua Boelter, Aaron Lamont and Pam Carter, this reunion meant quite a bit.

“Big anticipation. I’m so excited,” Boelter told KOIN 6 News. “I’ve been really anxious and nervous and happy all at the same time.”

Lamont admitted he couldn’t stop smiling. “Yeah, we’re excited. Definitely excited.”

Boelter was sort of adopted by his lovable little Luna while he was deployed in Romania. “When she ran up and jumped in my lap and started licking my face, I knew there was something there.”

Lamont felt the same way when he first saw Chico’s furry face.And Carter was “adopted” by Charlie.

When the dogs arrived and all were reunited, the world was right again.

“Oh, she’s messed,” Boelter said, smiling. “She’s piddling.”

PORTLAND, Ore. — Vancouver resident Josh Boelter feels like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

“I said that last night,” recalls Josh. “I didn’t sleep very well just waiting for this.”

He and his wife, Sara, are at the cargo office for Delta Airlines. They’re waiting for a flight that originated in Bucharest, Romania. The newest member of their family is on board.

“I just posted on Facebook,” says Sara. “I put this whole blurb about how we were adopting this little dark-eyed blond Romanian baby.”

Her post is technically true. But they’re not expecting a human baby to come off the plane. Instead, they’re waiting to greet a 5-month-old puppy named Luna.

“I’m excited but I don’t know her,” says Sara. “I don’t know what her personality is. He (Josh) already does.”

Josh met Luna while stationed in Romania. He had just been deployed after his marriage to Sara in May of this year.

Luna was a wild, feral puppy. But according to Josh, she had an instant connection with him. When it came time to go home, Josh was looking for a way to bring Luna with him. That’s where SPCA International and their ‘Operation Baghdad Pups’ program comes in.

In 2008, the organization realized that members of the U.S. military often befriended local animals – dogs and cats — wherever they were stationed. They began the program to get those animals moved back home when deployment ended.

According to the organization, more than 550 animals from countries all over the world have been rescued. There are members from every military branch represented. It’s not an easy process, but every request is considered regardless of location.

Luna was one of three dogs to arrive in Portland on Thursday night. She bolted out of the crate and immediately greeted Josh.

“She’s on American soil,” said Josh. “She’s going to live a really good life.”

A welcome home ceremony for local service members included a special guest who flew all the way from Romania to see an Oregon Air National Guardsman from the 142nd Fighter Wing.

While serving in Romania, airmen from the 142nd did volunteer work on the side helping an orphanage and orphan pups.

200 airmen from the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing were recognized for their service today and in the audience was a puppy named Luna.

Luna is named after the town where an Oregon airmen, Staff Sergeant Josh Boelter, found her. She was with a litter of homeless puppies and she had an injured leg.

Staff Sergeant Boelter cared for Luna and wanted to bring her home to Oregon.

A non-profit called Operation Baghdad Pups paid to fly her.

FOX 12 talked with Boelter’s wife about the process to get her to Oregon.

“She had to get her own passport. She has one just like ours, it’s got stamps in there. She had to have all of her shots and micro-chipped and what not. She had to be in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days. She was actually quarantine for two months,” said Sara Boelter.

Sara said they’re grateful for all of the work by the non-profit.

Luna and two other dogs arrived from Romania on Thursday night.

While the 142nd was in Romania, airmen raised more than $3,500 to buy backpacks and toiletries to kids in an orphanage near the airbase.

One dog’s story from Full-time Soldier to House Pet

Reposted content from http://www.nuexpression.com/a-tail-of-two-cities/

We adopted our dog Julia a little over two months ago. Julia was a service dog attached to my husband’s unit while they were stationed in the Sinai Peninsula from 2012-2013. Born in November of 2010 in Israel, Julia was purchased and assigned at North Camp, Egypt when she was barely two years old. Julia did everything the boys did; ate, slept, and went to work. She was mainly used as a visual deterrent but was very good at her job. She always had the boys’ backs and they all swore if they had the chance to save her from her life in the desert that they would do everything in their power to bring her back home to the country she spent over half her life defending.

And my husband, with the great help of Operation Baghdad Pups & the SPCA International, did just that.

After almost two years of separation, and almost 6 months of immense communication and strategy from Lori Kalef and her team from Operation Baghdad Pups and SPCAI, Shane was able to fly over to Egypt and get our girl, along with another dog Boom, who was flying back to the states to be with his new family as well! Since the flight back from JFK to Charlotte wouldn’t allow dogs, I flew up to New York and met Shane and Julia for what was about to be a long 10 hour drive. (Little did I know, a few hours of that ride would be spent with a 65 pound german shepherd riding in my lap). All of my worries and uncertainties about how she would act towards me quickly melted away when she curled up and put her head in my lap as we drove home.

Once we got home, Julia found her brand new bed with lots of treats, toys, and multiple choices of shiny new collars to choose from for my new puppy (a four year old  still counts as a puppy when she is new to me haha). Although we were soon to find out that Julia wasn’t made for kenneling when our first day back to work, I came home to find that Julia was an avid escape artist and no matter how we secured her crate, she would be out by the time we got home from work. She now happily greets me at the door everyday when I come home. 🙂

At first, Julia was very alert, still unsure of her surroundings, and would often sit by the door as if she were on watch.  However, over the past several months, Julia has become a very friendly, happy-go-lucky “mama’s girl” as she likes to cuddle and play just like any other dog. She is a little more collected when she is around Shane, and I sometimes wonder if she is so playful with me versus Shane, due to the fact that she associates him with work and me with play. She is just now slowly realizing when Shane gets up and puts on his uniform for the day that she doesn’t have to go with him anymore and that she gets to stay at home.

While she loves to play ball, ride in the truck, and chase the laser-pointer in our front yard every night before bed, she is still very cognizant of her surroundings. We have no need for an alarm system at the Strange home when Julia is in the house, she will let you know when someone is there. With Shane in and out of the house with trainings on the weekends, Julia helps me feel safe and also not as lonely when he is gone. Last month, when Shane had out of town training, Julia didn’t leave my side while I was home. She laid on the couch with me as we watched movies, went for walks, had snacks, and she slept on the edge of the bed with me every night.

At first, I was very nervous and apprehensive of owning a dog who had come from overseas, but I couldn’t be more happy with our decision to adopt Julia. She has made herself a special place in my heart and our household. It wouldn’t be the same without her sloppy dog kisses, and playful pitter-pattering of her claws on our hardwoods. Julia has come light-years from when we brought her home and is adjusting to the American Dream very well! She really is a tail of two cities. If you or a loved one are looking to adopt an animal, please check out their websites!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPCA INTERNATIONAL Official Statement

Statement of Meredith Ayan, SPCA International Executive Director

New York, NY August 4th 2015 – From the overwhelming and ongoing public outrage over the killing of Cecil the Lion, it is fair to assume a large majority of Americans are against the so-called sport of big game hunting internationally. It goes without saying that this is an outdated and deplorable tourist activity.

We are extremely pleased with the decision of Delta, American Airlines and United to ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies and we hope their further review of other trophy shipment policies will result in an expanded list. I think we can hold up these airlines as a model of corporate America responding to public outrage by doing what they can internally to make change. Although legislation had already been introduced by Sen. Menendez in Congress, laws against this kind of import would have been a long time coming. I’m impressed that Delta, American and United have gotten out in front this issue and showed the public that they won’t stand idly by when they can seize the opportunity to do good on an issue that is seemingly unrelated to their bottom line.

SPCA International strongly supports all efforts to ban the import and export of these trophies and encourages the public to continue to press this issue through social media, traditional media, and legislative and grassroots channels.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPCA INTERNATIONAL INTRODUCES WINE LINE TO BENEFIT ANIMAL WELFARE
 
Animal advocacy group partners with Benefit Wines to offer a selection of organic, estate wines for animal lovers that will energize any dull dinner conversation.

New York, NY   July 27, 2015 – At your next dinner party, spark conversation by uncorking a bottle of Cat-purr-net Sauvignon or Save ’em All Blanc. SPCA International (www.spcai.org), in partnership with Benefit Wines, is introducing an innovative line of Benefit Wines made up of six, estate grown, imported wines with imaginative, playful labels. 

Each bottle features a unique photo of an adorable homeless animal who was helped through SPCA International’s work, which is sure to attract attention and ignite conversation. Each bottle also includes background details on the animal featured or SPCA International’s related program work.

SPCA International’s new line includes these inventive labels:

Charlie’s Chardonnay: Clean and bright on your pallet, this wine is named for the first dog rescued from Baghdad for U.S. soldiers by SPCAI’s program, Operation Baghdad Pups.

Save ‘em All Blanc: A crisp sauvignon blanc featuring Mia, a charming rescue from Guatemala symbolizing all the lives that need to be saved.

Meow Merlot: A soft, well balanced wine dedicated to the millions of unwanted kittens born each year, as well as the spay and neuter programs that will end future suffering.

Operation Malbec: This wine is soft and juicy with a long and pleasant finish, and is dedicated to the Operation Military Pets program which keeps pets out of shelters and military families whole.

Carmine’s Carmenere: A deep red wine, full of fresh and fruity aromas and features Carmine, an extraordinary and lovable special needs dog living in British Columbia.

Cat-Purr-Net Sauvignon: This medium to full body cabernet features a shelter cat giving an SPCAI staff member a sweet purr in the ear.

These delectable wines, imported from Lontue Valley, Chile are highly rated and affordably priced for the wine and animal lover.  A significant portion of the purchase price is donated to SPCA International in their continuing work to advance the safety and well-being of animals worldwide.  

These limited edition Benefit Wines are now available online at www.BenefitWines.com/SPCA

From The Dispatch (http://www.the-dispatch.com/)

By Sharon Myers
Published: Monday, June 15, 2015 at 12:30 a.m.

When Sgt. Shane Strange of Lexington was serving with the U.S. National Guard he met a young female who would become an important part of his life. Fortunately for him (and his wife) she was a German shepherd named Julia who had been assigned to his unit.

Strange is a graduate of North Davidson High School who signed up for the National Guard several months before he graduated. A year later he was assigned to Egypt’s Northern Sinai Peninsula, a gateway into the Gaza Strip. He was a member of a quick reaction force whose job was to provide personal security detail, convoy security, route recon and any other potential security issues. Julia was assigned to the unit as a visual deterrent and to alert the soldiers of the unknown.

“We took her everywhere we went,” Strange said. “Her presence would keep people from walking up on us. At night she would see things we couldn’t see and would bark. If my team wasn’t on shift, she would go with the other team, but a majority of the time she slept on my bed.”

Strange was Julia’s first handler, and he developed a deep bond with her during the nine months he served in Egypt. When his tour was nearing completion, he said he was heartbroken when he was told that he could not adopt Julia and bring her home. Strange continued to think about bringing Julia to the United States until a friend who was redeployed to Kuwait met a staff sergeant who informed him the Army was letting servicemen adopt some of these dogs.

“He sent me a message and asked if I was still interested in adopting Julia, and I said ‘of course,'” Strange said. “The veterinarian who was over Julia’s care did a background check to see if we were a good home. Then I got in touch with the SPCA organization Operation Baghdad Pups.”

Operation Baghdad Pups is a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals program founded in 2008 to rescue and reunite these pets with service members in the U.S. Organizers have rescued over 550 animals from multiple countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and have expanded to become “OBP: Worldwide” and rescue animals anywhere in the world for members of all military branches.

“We received Sgt. Strange’s request, and hearing he made Julia a promise when he left (the) country that if there was ever a way for him to get her back that he would do it moved us deeply,” said SPCA International Executive Director Meredith Ayan in a written statement. “He said he would not allow her to live out the rest of her days in the desert, and we were thrilled to help this family reunite. We understand the bond people make with animals, and being able to help our military servicemen and women rescue and reunite with the ones that helped them through difficult times is one of the most important things we do.”

Strange said Operation Baghdad Pups representatives arranged for him to travel back to Egypt to bring Julia home June 3. He said it was a wonderful reunion thanks to a wonderful organization.

“I can’t stress enough how incredible Baghdad Pups was,” Strange said. “They arranged everything and even paid for my plane ticket. Words can’t express how grateful I am. … When I went to pick her up, I met them at the gym on base. As they were walking up I called her name, and her ears perked up. When they let her go she kind of looked at me sideways like she was sizing me up, but then she trotted up and gave me a lick on the face.”

Strange said Julia is adjusting to living in the States. He said she still has some reactionary issues, such as seeing someone with a grass trimmer in his hands as a threat, but he said she has enjoyed discovering grass. Strange said he plans on volunteering with Operation Baghdad Pups in the future because it is important to remember four-legged veterans.

“As a nation we tend to forget that we still have animals that are in the military who are working every day,” Strange said. “She is still a soldier, but her mission now is just to be my best friend. It is my turn to look out for her.”‘

From CBS2, Greensboro, NC (http://www.wfmynews2.com/)

LEXINGTON, N.C. — There’s nothing like the bond between man and his best friend.

While Sergeant Shane Strange of Lexington was serving with the U.S. Army National Guard, he said he met Julia, a German Shepherd. He said he was her first handler in 2012 and developed a bond with her that he never had with any other animal.

Strange says Julia ate, slept, played, trained, and comforted the soldiers each day while they were serving as part of the Multinational Force and Observers in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. He says Julia never once left his side.

Strange attempted to adopt Julia, but told WFMY News 2 his attempts were blocked by his chain of command each time. Recently, he said he was informed that there might be a possibility he could adopt her as the need for her in Egypt had somewhat changed.

He got his wish and was reunited with Julia last weekend.

The reunion was made possible through SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups. The program was founded in 2008 to rescue and reunite patriot pets with service members in the U.S. The organization says it has rescued over 550 animals from multiple countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

To learn more about Operation Baghdad Pups, click here.

From Fox 8, Greensboro, NC (http://myfox8.com)

LEXINGTON, N.C. — After almost two years and being thousands of miles apart, Sgt. Shane Strange has been reunited with a military dog he says was with him on some of his darkest days.

Strange adopted Julia, a German shepherd, from a U.S. Army base in Egypt earlier this year.

Strange says he spent every day of his nine-month tour in Egypt with the dog while serving in the National Guard.

Through the program Operation Baghdad Pups, SPCA International helps rescue and reunite patriot pets with service members.

Since 2008, the program has rescued more than 550 animals from countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

The animals are reunited with members of all military branches.