To date, SOS Galgos has rescued over 3,000 Galgos through their network of foster homes and volunteers. This shelter will allow them to accomplish even more. The new shelter facility also provides space for an educational program that promotes compassion and care for Galgos and other animals. Coupled with national advocacy, this is truly a comprehensive program to improve conditions for Galgos throughout Spain.
Author: SPCAI Staff
Women in Animal Welfare Spotlight: Alexandra Sava
Helping animals has always been part of Alexandra Sava’s life. Growing up in Romania, her family regularly fed about 40 street animals. They knew they wanted to do more.
When Alexandra was 14, her family raised money to build a shelter for the animals they were feeding. Today, Sava’s Safe Haven cares for 250 animals and they have a robust international adoption program.
Perhaps the biggest challenge Alexandra faces are the attitudes of others toward animals. Particularly in rural communities, she tells us most people don’t understand why animals should be cared for. However, her work is changing attitudes and behavior, one person at a time.
After many years of educating communities about animal health and welfare, people turn to Alexandra and her family when they see an animal in need. They have begun to understand that animal welfare supports community wellness.
Alexandra says it hasn’t been easy to run Sava’s Safe Haven for the last 10 years, but she is grateful to work alongside her mom, dad and brother. They love what they do.
In a true testament to Alexandra’s dedication, she is now meeting Ukrainian refugees at the border with a warm smile, pet food, blankets, crates, leashes and other supplies.
This woman is truly an animal welfare hero.
Afghanistan Rescues Arrive Safely
What a whirlwind it has been! After months of ups and downs, 285 animals have finally arrived from Afghanistan through what we’re calling #MissionPossible. Thank you to everyone who never gave up and who helped make this seemingly impossible rescue a reality.
We are simply overwhelmed with gratitude and relief. Beginning last August when NATO forces withdrew from Afghanistan a passionate plea from Kabul Small Animal Rescue founder, Charlotte Maxwell-Jones went viral and triggered a response from multiple organizations, SPCA International included. 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. Our hearts broke and we know yours did too.
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.
The last months have been spent carefully planning with KSAR, numerous partner organizations, government agencies, businesses and many volunteers. We even converted an airplane hangar to receive the animals and ensure their health.
Now, we are thrilled to share that most animals have been moved to local shelters or foster homes while their adoptions are processed. We received an overwhelming number of adoption applications and there are more homes than animals!
In addition to the animals being adopted, over 50 animals will be reunited with their families who had to evacuate without them.
A special thank you to Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue, RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, Thank Dog I Am Out Dog Rescue, War Paws, No Dogs Left Behind, Animal Wellness Action, Signature Flight Support, Modu-Loc Fence Rentals, Platinum Pro-Claim Restoration, Midland Appliance – Appliances By Design, King of Floors Lazar
Work Begins on “Cat Island”
Our incredible partners in Brazil trapped and sterilized 55 cats abandoned on an island off the coast of Rio. Even more exciting than this initial success, they have received approval from authorities to set up a shelter for the cats and they will frequently refresh food and water.
Spay and Neuter Success
Here at SPCA International, we are dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals, and one of the most effective ways to reduce suffering is to ensure animal populations don’t grow exponentially. That’s why we are dedicated to supporting spay and neuter initiatives around the globe.
When our contacts at the UK embassy in Baghdad reached out to ask for help with the stray cat population on their campus, we were thrilled to coordinate with them. The animal-loving staff at the embassy have huge hearts and they make sure the cats on the grounds are safe and fed. However, they know that keeping the population manageable will ensure the cats don’t become a nuisance and can continue to be cared for.
Our Middle East team and the helpful staff caught 32 cats throughout the embassy campus! Two kittens were too young for sterilization, so they only received vaccines and anti-parasitic medication. Another cat, named Princess, is a long-time embassy resident who had been previously spayed. The other 29 cats were sterilized, vaccinated and treated for parasites and they all recovered well.
This simple intervention makes an incredible difference by avoiding the birth of hundreds of kittens. Amazingly, a cat can have two to three litters of kittens each year, and those kittens mature quickly and can begin having kittens of their own. Keeping this cat population in check is key to ensuring the cats can continue to happily and safely coexist with the kind and caring people at the embassy.
The recent success in Baghdad is just one example of why spay and neuter is so important. Throughout the month of February, we’ll continue providing funding and logistical support to partners throughout the globe that are providing critically important spay and neuter services.
Please consider sterilizing the animals in your life if you haven’t already. Learn more here.
Shelter Struggles as COVID-19 Continues
Nepal has been locked down for over 105 days and the situation in the country is dire. Sneha’s Care is doing everything possible to keep feeding over 2,000 street animals and providing medical care and shelter for over 200 animals most in need, but there are more hungry and suffering animals than ever before. Their resources are dwindling as costs continue to rise.
Shelter and rescue groups around the world are in similar situations. That’s why every donation to SPCA International continues to be vitally important. As an organization, we exist to bring the most pressing animal welfare needs to the attention of those who care about animals and distribute donations to the groups saving animals’ lives.
Sneha’s Care isn’t an exact representation of every rescue group, but their multi-faceted struggle due to COVID-19 represents the situation of so many other groups during this difficult time. Sneha’s Care is navigating the following factors:
- Tourism has halted in Nepal, closing restaurants and hotels. This means no leftover food for street animals and no donations of food or money from local restaurants and hotels.
- Tourists used to feed street animals and without people tossing them food, animals are beginning to starve.
- Food prices have doubled over the last three months and price gouging is rampant. Every dollar now buys half of what it did before COVID-19.
- Sneha’s Care has an organic vegetable farm that supplements the animals’ diets and generates revenue for shelter operations. Due to heavy monsoon rains, all the vegetables were lost, leaving them without that source of revenue.
- International volunteers are unable to travel to Nepal. They used to make up a huge portion of the manpower needed, so local staff have been hired to fill the gap.
Right now, Sneha, the founder of Sneha’s Care is reaching into her own pocket to keep the organization running. She simply can’t turn away hungry and suffering animals, but every day the need grows. Thanks to many generous donors, SPCA International was able to provide a grant to help Sneha’s Care continue operating.
You can help support even more rescue and shelter groups by donating to the Shelter Support Fund.
Tween Generously Donates to SPCA International
Lev isn’t a typical 12 year old. He’s making good use of his downtime during COVID-19 by 3-D printing custom dog tags, and he is donating 10% of his proceeds to SPCA International!
While stuck at home, Lev started thinking about how he could give back in some way to others. He wasn’t sure how, but he finally had a great idea after his dog Mojo lost his dog tag and Lev couldn’t go out to buy him a new one. He was worried about Mojo getting lost, so Lev used his 3-D printer to make a new dog tag. Then he had the idea to make pet identification tags for others and he founded “Thingz Custom” to launch his business.
Lev took his time researching animal welfare organizations and settled on SPCA International after learning about our work. Now, every purchase of one of Lev’s pet tags will provide a donation. Lev’s pet tags are made of plastic, so they are very light weight. He offers nine color options and they are very affordable at only $10. The best part is they are fully customizable. Check out Lev’s website at thingzcustom.com to order your pet tag today.
SPCA International is so thrilled to be partnering with such a compassionate young entrepreneur and philanthropist. Lev shares that his inspiration for founding Thingz Custom is because he cares about animals and wants to give back to an organization that makes a big impact on animal welfare.
Beat the Heat – Keep Pets Safe this Summer
Most of us enjoy summer hikes, swims, and other outings with our pets… follow these tips to keep them safe from the heat.
- Never leave your pet in a car! — A parked car quickly heats up and can reach temperatures 20 to 30 degrees higher than outside. Exposure to this high heat and low airflow can quickly result in the death of a pet. Please leave your pet at home or run that errand later.
- Always provide water – In the summer, your pet will naturally drink more water than usual. Make sure they always have plenty of clean water available, especially when you are out of the house. There are some great collapsible bowls for when you and your pet are on the go. Hiking anyone?
- Pets need shade – not a doghouse! If pets must be left outside during the day, hanging a tarp is a quick solution for a yard without tree cover. Unfortunately, a dog house can trap heat and become even hotter than outside.
- Avoid Asphalt – Hot asphalt can burn our pet’s feet – Consider walking your pet in the morning or evening to avoid the midday sunbaked asphalt.
- Trim haircut – Some dogs can benefit from a summer haircut, but they should never be shaved! Check with your vet to learn if you should trim your pet’s coat or not. Some long hair acts as a natural cooling system and daily brushing is the best advice.
If you detect any signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion, such as excessive drooling/panting, red or blue gums/tongue, vomiting, lethargy, loss of consciousness, collapse and/or uncoordinated movements or if you suspect your pet is at risk, contact your veterinarian immediately for medical care that may save your pet’s life.
Holiday Spirit #GivingTuesday
Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Its purpose is to celebrate and encourage giving. It is a new holiday tradition and a movement defined by a crusade of philanthropists all giving to charity on the same day.
This year, you don’t have to start the holiday season by spending hours in line and being elbowed by your neighbors for the best deal. Instead, start your holiday season off with an act of generosity.
Join us to celebrate #GivingTuesday on December 3, 2019 by planning to include SPCA International in the gifts you make on that day. (We recommend you mark your calendar with a reminder to donate on SPCAI.org.) We hope you will plan to make donations to many of your favorite charities. By starting your holiday season with acts of generosity, you might just find this is the best holiday season yet.
SPCA International Awards $100,000 Grant to Lebanon Animal Shelter
Funds will help build the most innovative shelter facility in the country.
SPCA International has awarded the largest grant in our history to a Lebanon shelter called Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA). BETA will use the funds to construct a new state of the art shelter in Beirut, Lebanon.
Since 2004, BETA has been working to create a cruelty-free city through education and activism. BETA rescues dogs, cats and wildlife from life-threatening danger. Once in their care, they work tirelessly to place animals in loving homes locally and around the world. The organization also conducts trap, neuter and release programs to reduce the overpopulation of stray dogs and cats in Beirut.
SPCA International has been partnering with BETA since 2016 in support of the over 800 homeless dogs and cats that BETA cares for.
In September 2018, BETA received an eviction notice from their current shelter site; putting all the animals in their care at risk once again. In early 2019, BETA received permitting approval for a new shelter location but the land is entirely undeveloped. BETA has until December 2019 to build a new facility and move their animal population.
The new shelter has been designed in accordance with international standards. Modeled after a world-renowned American shelter, the new facility is designed to increase adoption rates, run sustainably and be an example for others in the region to follow.
“We are proud to give BETA $100,000 for their innovative new shelter. Their task ahead is difficult and their timeline is tight. We hope this grant will help propel them toward the finish line and inspire others to give generously,” explains Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International.
The funding is distributed through SPCAI’s Shelter Support Fund which supports and partners with underfunded animal welfare organizations in the U.S. and worldwide to increase their impact. Since 2007, SPCAI has assisted animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world.