Chago the Boxer is one happy pup, especially when bouncing on his family’s trampoline. Watch him have fun jumping around and getting some major air. This video makes us happy and we think you’ll like it too!
Author: SPCAI Staff
Beat the Heat
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 heat stroke or heat exhaustion, such as excessive drooling, red or purple tongue, vomiting, and suspect your pet is at risk, contact your vet right away for medical care that may save your pet’s life.
Chernobyl Puppies – Home at Last!
In April 2018 these pups were rescued from cruel and short lives in the Chernobyl Nuclear Exclusion Zone. It was a monumental event, nothing had been allowed to leave the Exclusion Zone since the disaster in 1986. During their time in our makeshift shelter in Slavutych, these puppies received lots of love, socialization and training to become the best ambassadogs to pave the way for future adoptions of Chernobyl dogs.
Thanks to our partners, Clean Futures Fund, dedicated volunteers, donors and adoptive families these incredibly lucky pups made the long journey from Ukraine to North America on July 1st. They have been in their forever homes for just over a month now, and we want to share their updates with you!
Fighting Back Against Dogfighting
Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support from the SPCA International community, we are happy to announce Sam’s Cause grants to three organizations working on the front lines against dogfighting. These groups not only rescue animals, but also work with local authorities to put a stop to dogfighting operations. Because dogfighting is often related to other criminal activities, this work can be risky. SPCA International is proud to support Ravi Foundation, Dog Rescue Romania, and Detroit Animal Rescue Group.
Each of these organizations depends heavily on volunteers, and every donation makes a huge impact on their ability to rescue dogs from fighting rings and provide the extensive medical care these dogs need to heal.
Ravi Foundation: This group in Pakistan is advocating tirelessly on behalf of animals. They are working with the media and local officials to appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan to put a stop to dogfighting. When dogfighting rings are broken up by police, those involved are often cited for gambling. The perpetrators pay a small fine but are then able to keep the dogs and continue their operations. Ravi Foundation is leading Pakistan in adopting more animal friendly policies and practices.
Ravi Foundation Chairperson, Ms. Rafia Ashfaq speaks to the press about the problem of dogfighting in Pakistan.
Dog Rescue Romania: This group is rescuing animals from hopeless lives on the streets of Bucharest, where systematic dog killing is sanctioned by the government. They are chronically underfunded and must focus their resources on the animals in the worst conditions, such as those with injuries from fighting. Dog Rescue Romania rescued Sam and brought his situation to our attention. They continue to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals from seemingly hopeless situations.
DAWG (Detroit Animal Welfare Group): This organization is a shining example of volunteerism. Many weekend mornings see DAWG volunteers combing the streets and parks of Detroit for abandoned dogs – many are losers of dogfights. These volunteers bring dogs to the vet, organize foster placements, and search out loving homes for the dogs that live. Unfortunately, DAWG often finds animals that have already been killed – or are nearly dead – and are dumped out with the trash. We are proud to support their efforts to save dogs harmed by fighting.
DAWG volunteer at a protest to end dogfighting.
Video: Tiny the Donkey (a staff favorite!)
We’ve fallen in love with Tiny the donkey and think you will too! SPCAI wasn’t involved in this rescue, but you’ll see why Tiny warms our hearts. Please remember that Tiny is truly unusually tiny– most donkeys are several times his size and would not make good house pets.
You Saved Her – Rey Has Been Rescued
By SPCAI Staff
We are thrilled to announce that Rey has been rescued thanks to hundreds of donations from SPCAI supporters! Captain Zeek is so grateful. Just a few days ago, SPCAI flew Rey out of Iraq and when her flight landed in California she was met by Captain Zeek and his wife, Stephanie. Rey has only just begun to take it all in, but she already seems to love her new home. Here is a selection of photographs Zeek sent us from their time together in Iraq and Rey's first experiences at her new home.
Rey getting belly scratches from Captain Zeek on base in Iraq!
Rey getting head scratches. Oooo…she loves ‘em!
Two buddies being silly!
Rey eating a chew stick sent from the states by Captain Zeek’s family and friends.
And now in California…Rey is lovin' some grass on one of her first walks with Zeek.
(As you can see from the previous photos with brown desert all around, she has probably never seen so much grass in one place!)
Look at all Rey's new toys and this plush dog bed! Pampered is her new normal.
It is hard to tell who is happier in this photo.
It was full day in this fun new place and now Rey is exhausted…but still smiling!
Rey was saved thanks to donations from many generous SPCA International supporters.
Thank you for being a critical part of our rescue team!
Keeping Military Families Together
When Sergeant Foster’s wife, Dana, called him eight years ago to ask if she could bring home a dog that another U.S. Air Force family had to leave behind, he said no. He was newly stationed in Guam and the family was still getting settled, but Dana brought Boomer the dog home anyway. To this he says, “Well you know, that’s what being married is like.”
Now, eight years later, Sergeant Foster says Boomer is part of the family. He has been through military assignments in Guam, England, and now North Dakota. Sergeant Foster tells us, “Who knew this free rescue dog would be worth over $5,000 from moving around the world? We love him so much and he brings us such joy that it's worth the extra stress and planning. He's our forever pet.” SPCA International was honored to help keep this family together through their most recent military reassignment in March from the United Kingdom to North Dakota.
Even though the U.S. Air Force moves military families and their possessions (except the family pets), reestablishing in a new place is surprisingly expensive. The Fosters had to buy all new appliances to fit U.S. outlets, as well as a new car built for driving on the right-hand side of the road! By providing for Boomer’s travel expenses, SPCA International was able to make this military family’s move just a little easier with the help of an Operation Military Pets grant. This family received a $500 grant to cover a portion of the cost to move Boomer to North Dakota. Without financial aid from Operation Military Pets many families (like Boomer’s family before the Foster’s) would be forced to leave their pet behind.
Sergeant Foster says there aren’t many organizations that support military members directly like Operation Military Pets does, so he will definitely tell others and support SPCA International in the future. Here at SPCA International, we would like to thank Sergeant Foster and his family for their service.
Boomer enjoying the snow in North Dakota! It snowed 15 inches, just days after the Foster family arrived.
Boomer is loving North Dakota Summers too!
VIDEO: Chernobyl TNVR Clinic a Success!
Thanks to SPCAI donors and volunteers, hundreds of animals in Chernobyl, Ukraine, received life-saving medical care during the trap, neuter, vaccinate and release clinic in the nuclear exclusion zone. Over 1,000 stray animals live in and around the Chernobyl power plant. Until now, they were left to fend for themselves and multiply at an alarming rate. Along with our partners and volunteers, we spayed and neutered over 840 animals in 2017 and 2018. These dogs and cats will have a higher quality of life thanks to the medical attention they received. SPCAI looks forward to continued work in this region in 2018 and beyond.
Why We Added SPCAI to the Lemonade Giveback
By Team Lemonade
As a company with a mission to transform insurance into a social good, we regularly ask our Lemonade community which causes they’re passionate about, and would like to support.
Sounds like a bizarre question coming from an insurance company, we know, but it’s part of how we’re built.
Back to our community. They spoke, and we listened. Our Lemonaders expressed their passion for animal rights, which sparked a search high and wide for an animal rescue organization.
We were looking for an organization that measured its impact: data-driven, knew how to communicate proven results, and most of all, was committed to transparency, one of our core values.
When we found SPCA International, we knew we found the right fit for our Giveback program (more on that soon).
Partnering with SPCAI is part of our journey to fix the broken insurance system. A system that, for centuries, wanted to protect you when things went wrong, but often breeded a feeling of distrust, and put you through hurdles that left you stranded.
So beyond bringing insurance into the 21st century through technology (we use algorithms instead of paperwork, bots instead of brokers!), we transformed the very fundamental business model to remove any conflicts of interests, and include giving back.
Instead of making money from denying claims, which is the norm within the industry, we treat your premiums as if it’s your money, take a flat fee for our services, and return what’s left to a cause you care about. We call this the ‘Giveback.’
Rest assured, this isn’t marketing fluff. Lemonade is a B-Corp, which means we’re committed to a double bottom line. In fact, Giveback is an integral part of our business model, and since we’re driven by a community-focused and do-good culture, Giveback is just one way we’re committed to the public good.
This is why we’re so excited to announce the Lemonade <> SPCA International partnership. We’re thrilled to welcome such a devoted and impactful organization such as SPCAI, who have helped thousands of animals around the world. And we’re humbled this wonderful cause is welcoming us to their community, with open arms.
So, how does the Lemonade Giveback work?
When you get a Lemonade renters or homeowners insurance policy, we ask you to choose your ‘Giveback’ cause. People choosing the same cause form a ‘virtual group;' behind the scenes, we use their premiums to pay their claims, and Giveback any leftover money to their common cause (in this case, the SPCAI).
We think of Giveback as a social contract among our community, where the size and allocation of our donation is determined not by our big profits or big hearts, but by the good fortune and good behavior of our members.
For us, Team Lemonade, this is deeply gratifying. At the end of the day, ‘it’s not our money.' It’s money our community has entrusted to us, first and foremost to help our members recover from unfortunate events in their lives, and secondly to help the less fortunate in our broader community. We feel privileged to do both – and are grateful to our community for the trust and support.
Stay safe, and thank you for supporting SPCAI!
Sign up for Lemonade Renters Insurance and support SPCA international today!
You Helped Stop the Poisoning! Thank you!
Last month we reached out to you with a plea for help. Dogs were being poisoned in and around Chernobyl, suddenly disappearing, then being found dead in the streets. We told you about Foxy, a local dog who was about to be adopted, and the sad truth is she hasn’t been found – she is likely dead.
Even though it was too late for Foxy, it was not too late to protect hundreds more! We are very thankful to tell you that the poisoning has stopped and we are actively working to ensure it never happens again. This would not be possible without your generous donations! Thank you to all who contributed.
This June, up to 400 animals will be spayed and neutered with the help of our partner Clean Futures Fund, Helping Paws Across Borders, and over 100 volunteers who are paying their own way to help these abandoned animals.
Stray animals will be de-wormed, vaccinated, spayed or neutered, and fitted with an ear-tag to measure their radiation levels. If their ear-tags show low levels of radiation, they will become available for adoption in the future. 13 lucky puppies are already cleared for adoption and we are searching for their forever families!
Featured above is, Polly, one of the 13 pups waiting to be adopted. She is a playful girl who will make a great addition to a family. (Below you can see the whole group of 13 darling pups.) All of the puppies available for adoption have been well socialized with children, dogs, cats, and farm animals. If you are interested in adopting one, please fill out the adoption application.
