Archives: Press

by Cory Hurley

CORNER BROOK – Janice Higgins had small aspirations when starting Scaredy Cat Rescue a year and a half ago, but the outstanding growth they have experienced is “purr”fect to her.

Humble beginnings may be putting it too lightly for the Corner Brook woman, who recalls the first public meeting she scheduled to garner support for the group she hoped could assist some of the stray cat population in the city. Nobody attended that meeting, aside from media representation.

Higgins is not the only person who recognizes the valuable contribution Scaredy Cat Rescue is making in improving the lives of animals in the community. SPCA International recently honoured the organization through its shelter program, awarding them a grant of $1,000 to continue this work.

The financial contribution and recognition could not come at a better time, according to Higgins. The group has expanded from spaying and neutering stray cats and returning them to the outdoors, to assisting colonies which homeowners have hoarded in the city.

First, Scaredy Cat Rescue confronted a homeowner in the Curling area of the city who was found to have 25 cats. Higgins said their success in working with the person was offering assistance to save the animals by spaying and neutering them and/or finding them adoptive homes. It is something the charitable organization has been doing on a smaller scale for some time now, and currently has approximately 40 felines in foster care awaiting homes.

However, nothing could have prepared them for the situation uncovered on McWhirters Lane recently, when more than 200 cats were found in a home. Scaredy Cat Rescue were the first on the scene, said Higgins, and continue to help the Bay of Islands SPCA try to find homes for more than 100 cats still being sheltered in the old fire station in Curling.

There are more examples, which she hopes are not to this extent, of this throughout the city.

“There are several that have been reported, that we cannot even look at right now,” she said. “We know there are many others that haven’t been reported.”

There are also countless examples of the smaller feline stray colony population the group originally meant to target.

That is why Higgins continues to solicit volunteers and donors. The main priority areas are placements for fostering cats and financial donations to help with the spaying and neutering. Of course, people wanting to adopt cats are also needed desperately to make the effort a success.

The financial award through SPCA International will help out, but Higgins said more is needed from the community. She hopes the increased awareness and notoriety continues to increase the public support.

“It is rewarding we are recognized as doing something positive for animal welfare in our area,” she said. “It is rewarding financial in that we can now apply those funds to finish off dealing with the colony in Curling.”

MDDs Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky were specially trained to detect the explosive odors found in landmines. Landmines continue to plague much of Iraq: the result of multiple conflicts spanning more than 30 years.  Because these weapons of war are buried, they are hard to find and continue to kill and injure hundreds of Iraqi civilian men, women and children each year. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and are used in Iraq to safely and effectively locate mines that are then carefully extracted from the ground.

 

During their years of service with the Iraqi Mine and UXO Clearance Organization, Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky sniffed out over 90 acres of mine-contaminated land in and around Basra and Baghdad. The land they searched was used to build the College of Agriculture in Baghdad, and for infrastructure purposes in southern Ramallah. These dogs have truly helped to make Iraq a safer and better place.

Now that they are retired, Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky deserve loving homes! This is where SPCA International and MLI come in.  SPCA International’s Operation Baghdad Pups program provides veterinary care and coordinates the complicated logistics and transportation required to reunite service men and women back in the U.S. with the dogs they befriend while on deployment in and the Middle East. The Marshall Legacy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping mine-affected countries help themselves, provides highly trained Mine Detection Dog capacities to help accelerate the pace of mine clearance operations. With support from the U.S. Department of State and private donors MLI has donated over 170 lifesaving dogs to 11 countries to date. In Iraq, MLI has replaced the retired dogs with four new dogs, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Raytheon, and Woodlands High School.  

When SPCA International found out that MLI was looking to identify new homes for 5 retired MDDs from Iraq, they generously offered to transport the dogs to the United States through the Operation Baghdad Pups program, and to locate retirement homes for them. SPCA International is currently finalizing adoption agreements for all 5 dogs!

By March 27th all 5 dogs will have arrived in Washington DC from Iraq, and will subsequently be sent to their new homes. OBP and MLI will hold an informal meet and greet at the Dulles Executive Pet Center at 1:30pm on March 27th to give others a chance to meet Blek, Malysh, Miso, Nero and Rocky, to celebrate the successful transport of these dogs and subsequent adoption to retirement homes, and to learn more about Operation Baghdad Pups and MLI.

EVENT DETAILS:

Meet & Greet with 5 Retired Mine Detection Dogs
Tuesday, March 27th, 1:30pm 
Dulles Executive Pet Center
44931 Lane Court 
Sterling, VA  20166

Working in post-war Iraq is extremely costly; travel within the country continues to require a team of security personnel traveling in convoys of three armored vehicles. The military buddies SPCA International rescues receive this high security transportation on the route north from Baghdad to Erbil where the Operation Baghdad Pups team awaits to fly them out. One such animal is a U.S. Embassy cat named Zeke who was befriended by a female Lieutenant Corporal from Spotsylvania, VA, who is serving in Iraq as an Army Defense Coordinator. SPCA International will feature Zeke’s full story on spcai.org later this month.

 

Other patriot pets that need to be rescued include Max and Mutt, two dogs who befriended troops stationed in Kuwait on the Iraqi border. In the United States, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) needs help transporting his Cocker Spaniel, Morgan, to Massachusetts where the veteran will receive medical treatment. The veteran has refused treatment up until now because he lacks the financial resources to bring his cocker companion with him.

“These animals mean the world to our soldiers and veterans. If an animal is helping our troops in the war zone, or helping war veterans adjust to life back in the US, SPCA International is here to help keep them together,” said Stephanie Scott of SPCA International.

SPCA International specializes in assisting animals in areas of conflict and disaster. During times of natural disaster, political turmoil, war and man-made disaster, SPCA International is ready to take action. For more on SPCA International and their work with our troops, visit www.spcai.org.

SPCA International's work with local partner, Soi Dog Foundation, is making a real difference according to rescue workers on the ground.  Thus far, the SPCA International relief efforts are providing: thousands of dollars in medical supplies, repairs to critical fencing at shelters damaged by the floods, spay and neuter efforts to prevent more unnecessary suffering, and continued support for Soi Dog Foundation's vital rescue work.  Additionally, SPCA International is pulling together local partners to work on improving living conditions at what is known as the “Dog Condo”.

 

"We at SPCA International know this is just the beginning of long and hard work helping these countless innocent animals still impacted by the aftermath of the historic flooding in Thailand," said Stephanie Scott of SPCA International. "We are grateful to our Emergency Animal Rescue team that traveled to Thailand and we are asking our supporters to continue helping as we work to reduce suffering in Thailand.”

SPCA International dispatched emergency staff to Thailand in February to asses and respond to the crisis animals are now facing post-flood.  Countless animals were killed by the floods, while thousands of others were rescued by animal organizations and good Samaritans.  Now their plight continues as shelters work to rebuild. However, some cannot to due to lack of funding or will.

SPCA International specializes in assisting animals in areas of conflict and disaster. During times of natural disaster, political turmoil, war and man-made disaster, SPCA International is ready to take action for the protection of animals.  Along with partner organizations around the world, they focus on helping in crisis situations where animals are at risk or in danger.  Video and news about SPCA International’s work is available on the group’s Web site, www.spcai.org.

The floods killed hundreds of people and were the worst to hit central Thailand since 1942.  Countless animals were killed by the floods, while thousands of others were rescued by animal organizations and good Samaritans.  Now their plight continues as shelters work to rebuild. However, some cannot to due to lack of funding or will.  

“After natural disasters there are several layers of rescue work that take months or longer,” said Stephanie Scott of SPCA International.  “Pulling animals out of the flood water is the first critical step, but there are medical needs, vaccinations, supplies, clean-up and rebuilding efforts that are essential to ensure the animal population is safe and healthy.  Many homeless animals were significantly displaced by the flooding, now miles away from what was originally their territory.  Others were owned animals that could not be reunited with their caregivers and are now facing a very uncertain future.  We hope the news from the video will help raise global awareness and allow us to send more aid to this region.”  

SPCA International specializes in assisting animals in areas of conflict and disaster. During times of natural disaster, political turmoil, war and man-made disaster, SPCA International is ready to take action for the protection of animals.  Along with partner organizations around the world, they focus on helping in crisis situations where animals are at risk or in danger.  Video and news about SPCA International’s work is available on the group’s Web site, www.spcai.org.

"2011 was our most successful year of operations to date and we look forward to supporting and collaborating with even more animal shelters and rescue groups in 2012," said Stephanie Scott of the SPCA International. "Our mission is truly a global effort and we are determined to see that this year we reach even more areas in need of attention domestically and around the world. In Panama alone, we were able to spay and neuter more than 1,100 dogs and cats in just one weekend last September."

SPCA International completed and surpassed its 100th 'Operation Baghdad Pups' mission to the Middle East in 2011 and the famous program is back at work this week with teams traveling to Iraq to save more desperate animals who U.S. troops were forced to leave behind during the withdrawal. Through ongoing efforts these true military heroes will be reunited with the soldiers that love them very soon.

"In 2012 we hope to distribute more than $9 million in medical supply aid worldwide. Our team is also poised to respond to more international crises than ever before, which will allow us to increase the numbers of animals we reach significantly. We encourage supporters to watch for fun changes coming to our website, spcai.org, early in the year. The redesigned site will engage, educate and activate people like never before," said Scott.

For more information on SPCA International's life-saving work or to make a donation in support of this cause, please visit www.spcai.org .

 

One such story involves a dog named Sadie that was born on a U.S. Military base in Iraq. Sadie was adopted and loved by a unit which included, SPC Daniel "Lucas" Elliott. When SPC Elliott was killed by an IED in July 2011, Sadie mourned alongside his unit. A few months later, Sadie gave birth to 6 puppies. Each of Sadie’s puppies was claimed for adoption by soldiers in SPC Elliott’s unit, except for one female puppy that was reserved for his mother, Patti Elliott. This puppy will help mend a little bit of Patti’s broken heart. Patti explains, “I like to think (Sadie) brought a smile to Lucas's face a few times.” Now she feels she will get to share a little piece of that joy her son experienced during his deployment.

Patti has already named the puppy Dixie in honor of her son’s “Southern-ness,” as she calls it. “Hunting, fishing, bonfires and seeing how muddy he could get his truck were his way of life,” Patti explains.

But help is needed to get Sadie and her pups to America.

“We know that through our Operation Baghdad Pups Program, we have been able to brighten the lives of hundreds of our veterans who had formed strong bonds with their patriot pups on U.S. bases in Iraq,” says Stephanie Scott of the SPCA International. “This story of Sadie’s pups epitomizes our overall efforts and there is much work to be done to complete this mission. We hope this appeal to bring Dixie home to SPC Elliott’s mother will brighten many peoples’ holiday season. It is rare when we can unite a pup with the parent of a fallen hero and we are committed to making this happen in 2012 with a little help from our supporters.”

“I want to give back to Sadie's child the love and acceptance and joy that Sadie gave to my kids,” says Patti. “Pay it forward.”

For more information about Operation Baghdad Pups or to donate, please visit www.spcai.org.

Donors Can Create Their Own ‘Fundraising Page’ to Benefit Operation Baghdad Pups for the Holidays

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SPCA International (www.spcai.org) celebrates the holiday season by launching a new online social fundraising platform that gives supporters the opportunity to create their own fundraising page to help raise the much needed funds to fulfill SPCA International’s ‘Operation Baghdad Pups’ mission. Operation Baghdad Pups is one of the SPCA International’s largest, most prominent programs and has been recognized internationally for its success in reuniting U.S. Troops with their beloved pets befriended during service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program provides veterinary care and coordinates the complex logistics and transportation challenges to make these miraculous reunions possible.

“It is amazing to witness the deep bond between our soldiers and their war-time buddies. For many U.S. troops, these animals were part of their military family and were involved in everyday military operations.”

The new social fundraising platform is designed to be fun and easy for supporters to use. SPCA International hopes that supporters will enjoy this opportunity to engage in social activism online.

“It’s an incredible feeling to see one of our military heroes reunite with a dog or cat they befriended while they were serving overseas but had to leave behind when their duty was done,” said Stephanie Scott of the SPCA International. “It is amazing to witness the deep bond between our soldiers and their war-time buddies. For many U.S. troops, these animals were part of their military family and were involved in everyday military operations.”

To date, Operation Baghdad Pups has rescued 284 dogs, 76 cats and one donkey. To learn more go to www.spcai.org. To visit the new social fundraising platform directly visit: http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise/team?ftid=4187.

Contacts

SPCA International
Stephanie Scott, 206-999-4341
[email protected]org

Media Contact:
Jack Heath 
[email protected]
603-714-2607
www.spcai.org 

For Immediate Release:

SPCA International Announces Success in Largest Sterilization Campaign ever held by Spay Panama – 4 Day Effort Sterilizes 1,137 Pets and Stray Animals in Greater Panama City

New York City, October 4th, 2011 -  SPCA International (www.spcai.org) and Spay Panama (www.spaypanama.org) announce their 4-day effort to spay and neuter 1000 animals- in conjunction with World Animal Day- was a huge success.  Thanks to countless hours donated by over 50 volunteers and veterinarians and funded by the SPCA International’s grant award of $22,000, the massive effort to spay and neuter more than 1000 pets succeeded.  Spay Panama developed a mobile sterilization team and MASH-type operation that moved its operation to four different parts of Panama City in order to reach multiple pet owners who have no means of travel.

The 4-day campaign was aimed at stopping the unnecessary deaths of homeless animals in Panama.  Spay Panama was founded in 2001, and thanks to the support of SPCA International, the group attempted and succeeded to reach up to 1,000 animals in a condensed time period.  Once set up in a local community center, Spay Panama’s team was able to prep, operate and bring each animal to a post-op mat where the pets were cleaned, de-wormed and given vitamin or rabies shots- all in under 30 minutes each.  

SPCA International’s team working in Panama during this spay/neuter campaign expressed amazement and admiration from witnessing the efficiency and determination of  Spay Panama’s team.  They worked long hours into the night and then moved the operation team to the next day’s location.  Local people brought their pets in cardboard boxes, wheelbarrows, milk crates or the backs of trucks and all were serviced, no matter how late the hour was.

The plight of female dogs in Panama is a life of trying to survive bearing litter after litter.  Often malnourished, these female animals lose most of their puppies and kittens due to the dangers of the streets such as little or no food, and passing cars and trucks.  According to animal experts with Spay Panama, male dogs that are not neutered often run wild in the streets trying to mate and too often get hit by cars. Un-altered male and female cats also become regular victims of violence due to their loud and bothersome “cat calls” during heat that can last for days at a time.  

All of these issues stem from a lack of sterilization and the cycle is only perpetuated because the overpopulation of animals causes citizens to harbor ill-will against the helpless dogs and cats.  This leads to more animal abuse, more senseless death, and little interest in the one true and lasting solution –  to spay and neuter.

To learn more on this Spay Panama campaign, go to www.spcai.org.