U.S. Army veteran and international detachment fighter, Ken Wyrsch, befriended a puppy named Oliver while on the frontlines of the fight against ISIS. Ken contacted SPCA International for help getting Oliver out of Iraq when his time there came to an end. Mission impossible is now a mission complete and the local San Francisco news was there yesterday to catch their reunion on film!
Here's what Ken had to say a few hours after Oliver arrived:
"Oliver was so hungry and thirsty…he wouldn't eat or drink until later tonight. He was too excited. The neighbors dogs and him ran back and forth between houses across the street. We went to the park. Super scared at first then next thing you knew he had a following. Ran a pack….He's hugged me (and I mean he squeezes his hugs) a million times. He grabbed me with his mouth when he saw me. It was great. Thank you So So much!"
What a year 2016 has already been for our OBP: Worldwide program! Since January, we have been able to rescue 11 dogs and 10 cats for U.S. Military and American citizens serving in some very challenging areas of the world. And that’s not all; we have 10 more who are currently awaiting rescue as well, all thanks to your support. Here are just a few of these rescues. We know if they could speak, they would say a big thank you to you as well!
Dushka – In a remote area of war torn Iraq, this little pup escaped her otherwise horrible fate and won the heart of a brave veteran fighting ISIS on the front lines.
Evi – The enormous support that poured out for this sweet dog that found her way onto base and into the life of one very special Soldier deployed in Kuwait was simply heartwarming!
Marcus – When this docile cat began visiting the U.S. Base Camp in Kuwait, the Soldier who found him never imagined that her life would be forever changed. The two formed an unimaginable bond during her evening shifts when he would come and cuddle onto her lap.
Mini Me and Blackie – There was no resisting this adorable duo who were only just born and left to fend for themselves on the streets of Erbil in Iraq when one lovely U.S. Soldier found them and cared for them until they were able to be transported to her family in the U.S.
Mowgli – This friendly cat used to hang out the Ali Al Salam Air Base chow hall in Kuwait hoping to find some leftover table scraps. It wasn’t until one night last fall that a kind Soldier reached out to pet him and although he seemed hesitant at first, he warmed up to her several months later by showing up at her dorm each morning and even walking her across base. Sometimes he would even escort her to dinner and wait outside until she was done!
Ollie – When a young pup was in danger of being destroyed by animal control near Taji Base Camp in Iraq, a few Soldiers took it in their own hands to offer him a place to stay until they could figure out how to get him to the U.S. After several weeks, he became the morale booster for the Soldiers and when they were informed that they only had 48 hours to get him out, our team rushed to his rescue. He now lives the happiest life in the U.S. with one of the Soldiers who stole her heart.
Savage – This adorable little ball of fur escaped what could have been a terrible attack by two stray adult dogs when a bunch of heroic reservists came to his rescue and brought him to base in Jordan. All it took was one meeting by a Marine later that day and the bond was formed. It wasn’t long before we could get him to safety and bring home where they reunited just a couple of weeks ago in the U.S.!
Tucker – When a U.S. Contractor and his fiancé noticed a small puppy sitting all by himself for 3 consecutive days at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo, they knew they had to come to his aid. This poor little guy was orphaned and had no idea how to fend for himself, so they called him Tucker and brought him home to where they were living. Now this puppy that has a personality larger than life is enjoying his days in the U.S. with his family that came to his rescue!
Brew – Brew melted all of our hearts in an instant. After being hit by a car and shot in the abdomen, this little beauty of a dog found refuge in a trash bin at a local gas station in Kosovo. For 6 months a Soldier visited and fed her at night because she was too afraid to come out during the day. Her injuries were quite severe, requiring an amputation of her front paw, but her spirit was never broken thanks to the love and care of the kindhearted Sargent that saved her life.
These are just a few of the happy “tails’ we get to share with you because of your generous support. Thank you being part of our OBP: Worldwide team, thank you for coming to their rescue!
#1. Helping Paws Across Boards is an amazing organization that travels to poverty sticken areas all over the world, providing free veterinary care to the communities animals. SPCA International was proud to support their most recent clinic in Roatan, Honduras this February.
#2. True Friends shelter in the Astryakhan region of Russia sees some of the worst cases of animal abuse, like Tyapa. Thanks to the tremendous outpour of support for Tyapa SPCA International was able to give a substantial grant to True Friends to help build a clinic and improve their shelter. P.S. Tyapa is still looking for her forever home!
#3.Tanzania Animal Welfare Society never ceases to amaze us. Dr. Kahema and his team bring essential care to remote areas of Tanzania. From vaccines to financial aid, SPCA International counties to support their tireless efforts to bring care to the all the animals of Tanzania.
#4. RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, based in Canada, is a foster based organization that rescues dogs from areas in Canada, and high-kill shelters in CA. SPCA International has been able to support rescues from Mexico and most recently Romania.
#5. Elephant Aid International provides better lives for captive elephants and training for mahouts (elephant trainers). SPCA International was able to help provide a chain-free enclosure for a bull elephant in Nepal.
#6. Brightside Animal Center in Oregon is dedicated to providing all of its animals with the tools they need to find forever homes no matter how long it takes. SPCA International was happy to support their need for a new feline isolation ward.
#7. RR Refuge provides sanctuary for abused and neglected horses in Canada. SPCA International is proud to support RR Refuge again, as they continue to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home abandoned horses.
#8.Rescue and Sanctuary for Threatened Animals has been providing a safe haven and advocacy for the abused and neglected farm animals in Canada. With the wonderful outpouring of support for two of their residents, Theo and Rudy, SPCA International was able to help support their wonderful work.
#9. SPCA Ouest de L’ile is a shelter in Cananda that is continuing to grow. SPCA International was excited to be able to visit and once again support their rescues and growth.
#10.Detroit Animal Welfare Group sees horrible cases of neglect and dog fighting. This past fall SPCA International was able to support the care and rehabilitation of Glory, most recently SPCAI provided a van to DAWG so that they are able to rescue more animals in need.
#11. Spay Panama is a wonderful initiative bringing week and weekend long spay/neuter clinics to the citizens of Panama. SPCA International has been a supporter of Spay Panama for the last 5 years, SPCAI was able to send a volunteer veterinarian, Hannah, to assist in the clinic and learn their patented quick spay technique.
by: Emma Koeniger
Veterinary medicine is an important part of pet ownership; it provides your furry friend with the essential vaccinations and preventative care so that they can live a happy and healthy life. In the United States we are used to having pertinent medications, preventatives and procedures at our disposal. It would be out of the norm to walk into a clinic and find that they do not have rabies vaccines or the supplies needed to perform a routine spay/neuter. However this scenario is all too common in less developed parts of the world.
My dog Kuma’s annual exam included vaccines (Rabies, DA2PP, Bordetella and Leptospirosis), a fecal parasite screen and Heartworm/tick borne disease test; the total cost at a New York City clinic was $594.35. However in countries like Romania, Tanzania, Guatemala this routine care is not affordable, not only based on the cost that I had to pay but also it can be impossible to find or buy what we consider basic veterinary supplies in remote locations internationally.
Through our Veterinary Supply Aid program we have been able to bring lifesaving medications and supplies to these clinics in desperate need for a fraction of the cost and alleviating their need to pay an import fee. In turn they are able to bring essential care to the people and animals of these remote areas and freeing up their own funds to improve their shelters, clinics and sometimes hire staff. Dr. Kahema, the Executive Director of Tanzania Animal Welfare Society recently sent us a letter about the Veterinary Supply Aid he received in Tanzania;
“Thank you very much for helping our veterinary clinics. Just returned yesterday from Dodoma and our team is still working there. We will be going to help the dogs at St. Augustine very soon and we will send you the report of the work. We are real very grateful for this big help and we are sure to reach many displaced animals and the animals in Mwanza. Our team always talks about you and SPCAI as you are pillar of Tanzania Animal Welfare Society and we are so much encouraged and motivated to work with you and we will reach many suffering animals in various parts of Tanzania this year of 2016.”
We endeavor to help more organizations like TAWESO so that the veterinary care that is essential and so readily available to us in the United States can be available for everyone and every animal no matter where in the world they are.
We are living in a time when it’s become next to impossible to wake up each day and not be frightened by what’s going in the world. It seems that with each new day, there is a bigger wake up call. Terrorism, abuse of power, violence, racism and abuse dominate the headlines on every social media or news site there is. The impact it has on our lives is considerable, even if we are lucky to live in a peaceful area of the world. Of course it is no surprise that our OBP: Worldwide program has been significantly challenged by current events as well since we many of our rescues originate in the Middle East.
It’s therefore especially rewarding during these precarious times when our team is able to save the lives of the beloved dogs and cats that have made brave U.S. servicemembers time overseas bearable. Evi is one of those perfect examples. When “Hawk” first found this beautiful dog at the entrance gate of his base, he said he fell in love with her the moment he saw her. “I was leaving base one day and saw her at the entry control point. She was just sitting quietly. I spoke to her and told her she was a beautiful girl. I wanted to scoop her up right then and there. ” Now Evi is getting ready to make her journey home to the United States to live with Hawk’s family until he returns home from Kuwait, all because of your generous support and encouragement.
In addition to Evi, your generous donations have helped us approve for rescue 10 other animals beloved by American’s stationed overseas – Mowgli in Kuwait; Nala and Squeaker in Egypt; Poly, Freckles, Nightboy, Mr.Meowgi, Oliver and Momma Dog in Iraq; and Savage the little pup in Jordan. And even as I write this, another U.S. Soldier just applied for a sweet little cat she has fallen for on base in Kuwait!
Each rescue for one of our heroic Soldiers and brave Americans serving overseas for our country is unique and there are many details, new hurdles, red tape and complications that arise for each one. The dogs and cats that we save for our military members come from remote areas or bases that are not typically easy to access. The recent plane hijacking in Egypt and high terror alerts in the Middle East has resulted in closed airports and a backlog of passengers. That is forcing us to get more creative and find alternate routes and methods. Many of you may have wondered why it sometimes takes weeks or months to complete a rescue, or how the costs are broken down so I thought I would take this opportunity to share.
It is quite often that we have to send a security team that have special access to check points and roads to rescue one of these beloved pets. Or we might utilize partners in nearby countries. Just these first steps normally cost hundreds of dollars. We often have to quarantine the animals in boarding for 30 days to give them appropriate care, vaccinations, find airline approved kennels as well as attain the export paperwork which amounts to hundreds of dollars as well.
The cost of an airline ticket and space in cargo can cost over one thousand dollars when we are able to use a flight volunteer. When a flight volunteer can’t be found, cargo travel (with the animal flying unaccompanied) can be even more expensive.
Once these dogs or cats reach the U.S., their paperwork becomes obsolete and they are once again issued new certificates, examined by a stateside veterinarian, boarded for 24 hours and then transported via pet cargo to their final destination. Again, all costing hundreds of dollars.
There are also many other costs that are not detailed here, like room and board for our flight volunteer, food, supplies, transport to and from airport and custom fees.
An all-volunteer organization it might be able to do a handful of these rescues at a lower cost, but they would not be able to operate in war zones, find routes to remote bases with each new request, or meet the demand we continually see without paid, fulltime staff and the extra expenses of security teams and paid veterinarians.
We are also proud to be able to offer all these related rescue services free of charge to our military personnel. We believe they have sacrificed enough and their anxiety about getting their pet to safety is enough for them to worry about – we don’t need to add surprisingly high cost of transport, veterinary exams and travel paperwork to their already worried minds.
So there you have it. Without the efforts of our many team members holding hands around the world, and without your outstanding support, these beloved four legged friends would never be able to be reunited with their heroic U.S. servicemembers who are risking their lives for our security and freedom. And that would be another tragedy in this already challenging world. YOU are saving lives!
In November we received an overwhelming amount of support for Brew, the little dog with the broken paw who had formed a bond with a U.S. Army Sgt. on deployment in Kosovo. After our partners drove 9 hours to bring Brew to their clinic in Romania we were able to see the extent of Brew’s injuries. On x-ray it was confirmed that Brew was shot and the bullet still lodged in her chest. Additionally, due to being purposefully hit by a car while living on the streets, Brew’s front right paw had to be amputated. Thankfully this girl is a survivor and being less one limb doesn’t seem to bother this little firecracker at all! She has recovered so well from the surgery and is in tip-top shape.
We had originally planned to fly Brew to the United States in December, but flight cancelations and her surgery set back her timeline. Our OBP: Worldwide team worked endlessly to facilitate this rescue and we are so happy to say that while you read this Brew is up in the air on her way to JFK airport in New York. After she lands Brew will have a short rest and another veterinary exam, and then be on her way to Sgt. David’s family in the Boston area where she will await his return from deployment. We are thankful to report that she won’t have to wait long; Sgt. David is due home before April. Stay tuned for news and photos from Brew and Sgt. David’s reunion!
In the fall of last year, our team travelled to East Africa to work alongside our remarkable partners at TAWESO, who are making enormous strides for the welfare of all animals in Tanzania. During one of their organized free vaccine clinics, we were astonished to witness the many dogs with painful injuries caused by makeshift leashes and collars constructed from metal wires and scraps of steel thread. Open wounds and infections were a common theme among the animals due to these improvised collars embedding into their necks. Because these clinics focus on poverty stricken areas, resources and money are scarce, so we knew we had to do something about it. That is when we turned to you and you came through!
Thanks to your support we were able to deliver a sizable grant to TAWESO in order to purchase much needed leashes and collars that are now being handed out during clinics in the rural areas of Tanzania. These initial efforts are helping hundreds of dogs avoid this kind of pain and suffering. We couldn’t help but share what Dr.Kahema had to say about this campaign made possible thanks to your support:
“Our team always talks about SPCAI as the pillar of Tanzania Animal Welfare Society and we are so much encouraged and motivated to work with you and we will reach many suffering animals in various parts of Tanzania this year of 2016.
We are so grateful for your generous support and it’s clear to see through these images that the dogs are too!
By Emma Koeniger, SPCA International staff
Lucie Cerny founded the Rescue and Sanctuary for Threatened Animals (RASTA) in 2001. Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, R.A.S.T.A. provides a no-kill and cage-free permanent home to farm animals, as well as dogs and cats. Offering an interactive experience to the visiting public, Lucie and the RASTA volunteers aim to educate and promote compassion for all creatures great and small.
R.A.S.T.A. is addressing an underserved animal community by providing advocacy and shelter to abused and neglected farm animals. The sanctuary is currently home to over 50 Pot Belly pigs; a steer by the name of Theo who was an abused veal calf, 2 goats, 2 donkeys, a miniature horse, geese and ducks. Each of these beautiful animals was the victim of abuse, neglect and/or saved from slaughter.
Recently our Program Manager, Lori Kalef, visited Lucie and the animals she cares for at R.A.S.T.A.. She learned about the heartbreaking stories of these animals, the abuse that they’ve gone through. One that stood out in particular to her was Rudy, a potbelly pig who was over-bred for the “Micro Mini” and “Tea Cup Potbelly Pig” fad. No potbelly pig is meant to stay small, and uneducated fad fans quickly abandoned their pigs as they grew too large for their space. Because of the abuse Rudy endured, he walks with a terrible limp and a rounded spine, but he is still the most affectionate and gentle animal you could ever meet.
Having recently moved to a new location, the R.A.S.T.A. team has a lot of work ahead of them. Having built all the enclosures and gates by their own manpower, they now plan to refurbish a barn on their new property with the help of an SPCA International grant.
SPCA International is proud to support such a dedicated group of individuals giving homeless farm animals the love and attention they need to safely and happily live out their lives as they are meant to be.
Want to know even more?! Visit their website: http://www.rastarescue.org/
By Lori Kalef, Program Manager
Happy 2016! This year has already proved busy for our Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide team. While many of us were busy with holiday activities, our OBP: Worldwide team was coordinating last minute rescues at the end of December in Iraq. Shortly thereafter, our New Year got off with a bang when we received an unexpected surge in applications for rescues out of Baghdad, Egypt and Kuwait. We couldn’t be happier to help our brave American servicemembers and veterans overseas!Brew & Sgt. David Recap & Update: Poor Brew, her first year of life was a tremendously difficult one until she met her savior, Sgt. David, on the streets of Kosovo. By the time they met, Brew had already been shot at and hit by a car, and had taken to living in a dumpster at a gas station close to the base where Sgt. David was stationed. Unable to take her on base due to strict military rules, he found creative ways to make sure she would get fed on a daily basis by commissioning a gas station attendant to leave food out for her.
When Sgt David contacted us 6 months after meeting Brew, they had formed a bond so strong it could melt your heart. With your remarkable outpouring of support in November, Brew was taken to safety where she was cleaned up, given shots, and even a bed of her very own. Now, Brew has finished her necessary quarantine period and was picked up by our local partners. She now waits to be accompanied to the U.S. with another little pup named Tucker who gets to go home to his Soldier’s family in America as well! Sadly, Brew’s old injury to her paw is too severe and will need to be amputated. We expect Brew to arrive in the U.S. in late January or early February. We’ll continue to keep you updated on Brew’s journey and we encourage you to Like Us on Facebook for the timeliest information.
Dushka & Christopher Recap & Update: One could say that adorable little Dushka was born into the arms of her savior, Christopher, who served in the U.S. Marine Corp for six years as a machine gunner before getting out, at which point he took it upon himself to volunteer with Kurdish forces in Iraq fighting ISIS. On his first day of service, searching through abandoned houses in Iraq, he came across a tiny little fur ball, just a few days old. He knew he couldn’t leave her behind because she didn’t stand a chance with all the stray packs of dogs competing for every morsel of food and territory. Over the next several weeks, he painfully noticed other puppies he suspected to be her littermates found dead; killed by older stray dogs unwilling to allow the puppies to grow up to be competition for food. Dushka lived and slept with Chris at the Kurdish outpost in a hut made of mud. For many weeks he shared his food rations with her. While Dushka and Chris had formed a very deep bond by now, the situation started getting more dangerous for Dushka and Chis had to urgently hand her off to one of our local volunteers to ensure her safety. Since then, she has been vaccinated and quarantined – and today, 1/22/16, Dushka is in flight on her way to the U.S. “Woohoo!” – we can wait to deliver her to the arms of Christopher’s parents in Massachusetts. We’ll continue to keep you updated on Dushka’s journey and we encourage you to Like Us on Facebook for the timeliest information.
But that’s not all! We currently have 21 other dogs and cats waiting for rescue in Iraq, Kosovo, Kuwait and Egypt. Please help us continue our rescue efforts by sharing these stories with your friends and family on Facebook and through email.
For the last 50 years children all over the world have sung, “How Much is That Doggie in the Window”. This song, while catchy, is about a puppy in a pet-store and encourages a culture of puppy-mills and backyard breeders, which all too often includes terrible animal abuse and neglect. SPCA Singapore partnered with SPCA International to promote a new version of this Patti Page classic. “Do You See That Doggie in the Shelter” speaks about the homeless dogs and cats all over the world, the animals that have so much love to give and in need of a home. The video made by SPCA Singapore features caricatures of real dogs available for adoption from their shelter. It is our hope that is version of the song becomes the new anthem of animal welfare organizations all over the world, and that all people move away from pet-stores and puppy mills and opt to adopt furry shelter animals. SPCA International has been able to help SPCA Singapore place a children's book similar to this video in pre-school and elementary classrooms throughout the U.S. and Canada. If you know a pre-school or elementary school that would like to add this book to their library, please contact us at [email protected].
