Category: Executive Blog

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

SPCA International works to build strong partnerships with organizations doing important animal welfare work around the globe. This model brings strength to our sector and increases our impact. I am thrilled to announce a new partnership with Animal Wellness Action on a new campaign Kangaroos Are Not Shoes! This vital advocacy effort calls for ending the use of kangaroo leather in shoe manufacturing. I invite all animal welfare advocates to sign the petition and join us as we raise our voices for the protection of kangaroos.

The following Q&A is a conversation I had with Wayne Pacelle, the founder of Animal Wellness Action, about our work in Australia and the new partnership between our organizations.

Wayne Pacelle: We’ve had so much alarming news in the last six months, and it seems that the cataclysmic fires that burned Australia during its summer are a fading memory.  The infernos had enormous effects across the continent, including on its animals.  One scientist said that more than a billion animals perished.  But the underlying causes of the fires are still there, and we may see more of these macro-ecological disasters, including in Australia again.  What do you say to animal advocates who don’t consider climate change an animal welfare issue?

Meredith Ayan: Climate change is undeniably a huge issue for wildlife. On both land and sea, it creates habitat loss, causes massive declines in animal populations, disturbs ecosystems, and increases the likelihood of disasters like this year’s catastrophic fires in Australia, which killed more than a billion animals. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is also a sobering example of the impacts of climate change. High ocean temperatures stemming from climate change have destroyed much of the reef, displacing its animal inhabitants. To seriously address animal welfare, we must also seriously address climate change.

Wayne Pacelle: When we respond to disasters as they are occurring, we cannot turn off climate change — we just don’t have those kinds of tools.  But it is not impossible to help the victims of climate change, and that’s exactly what SPCA International did.  Tell us a little bit about your response on the ground and your efforts to help orphaned kangaroos.

Meredith Ayan: We are firm believers in supporting and partnering with local animal organizations domestically and worldwide to increase our collective impact for animals. In Australia, through the generosity of our supporters, we deployed much-needed aid to the vulnerable wildlife of Western Australia through grants to several partner organizations, including Wildlife Care WA Inc., Friends of the Western Ground Parrot, and Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation. These organizations are true experts in the areas in which they work and the animals that they serve and so, our goal was to provide them with funding to carry out and expand the important work they were already doing.

Our local partners on the ground reported that many kangaroos perished trying to escape from the fires while others survived but were left starving and dehydrated with burns on their feet and tails. Countless young animals, including kangaroo joeys, were orphaned. Our grant to Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation specifically supported the organization’s care and treatment of orphaned and injured joeys. Every rescued joey must be specially rehabilitated and released back into the wild, which can take about 18 months per animal. With Bluebush’s monitoring coverage area spanning a million acres, Bluebush had dozens of rescued joeys in their care during the fires and found themselves at capacity. We’re thrilled that our grant allowed them to expand and accept more joeys by fencing a new two-acre area and by supporting the cost of two much-needed water tanks.

Through our grant to Wildlife Care Western Australia, we supported the purchase of two mobile water tanks and generators, and food supplies. This group covers hundreds of miles per week refilling wildlife food and water stations, for Australia’s iconic wildlife like kangaroos, on an all-volunteer basis. 

Wayne Pacelle: Now you are joining the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action in its “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign to get the major athletic shoe companies to stop sourcing kangaroo skins for their shoes.  What is that?

Meredith Ayan: The “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign is about raising awareness of a shocking but little-known animal welfare issue: the commercial killing of millions of wild kangaroos each year in their native habitats, largely for the sake of using their skin to craft soccer cleats. Nike and Adidas have been manufacturing “k-leather” soccer shoes for years, and Nike, specifically, has been caught illegally selling and delivering these shoes to California residents.

We at SPCA International and many other caring organizations and volunteers have worked hard to rescue and rehabilitate kangaroos – a fascinating and beloved Australian national icon – after this year’s devastating bushfires. It would be tragic for these animals to be released back into the wild simply to be swept up in a mass cull and made into soccer cleats and yet, at the moment, we know that this is a risk.

I think of Clover, a seven-month-old, orphaned joey, whom our partners found malnourished, dehydrated and burned. Seeing her recovery gave me hope amid overwhelming heartbreak as the fires took so many animal lives. We cannot allow joeys like Clover to be turned into shoes, and we’re glad to join advocates like the Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action to speak out for kangaroos.

Wayne Pacelle: In getting to know you and the work of SPCA International, it’s clear that you have a collaborative philosophy when it comes to dealing with other groups.  That’s logical to me, but many other groups have a hyper-competitive attitude toward animals.  Why do you embrace other groups and join with them in so many efforts?

Meredith Ayan: Partnering with other organizations is fundamental to our approach. We see our work as complementary and believe that we can further our missions together, by sharing our learnings and resources with fellow animal advocates.SPCA International supports animal welfare efforts all over the world through financial grants that fund animal rescue programs, provide crucial veterinary supplies, and education initiatives. Our support builds the capacity and reach of grassroots organizations working to improve the lives of animals across the globe, to help as many animals as possible. We are dedicated to these partner organizations and to each and every donor that makes our work possible. This approach has dramatically increased the worldwide impact we’ve had for animals, including in Australia and other parts of the globe. There is certainly enough work to go around and by working together we are making each other stronger and better and, ultimately, saving more lives.

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

A new partnership with Le Coeur Sur La Patte in Morocco is saving lives and changing the way the city of Agadir approaches animal population control. The city was overwhelmed by the number of street dogs, and city authorities dedicated themselves to sheltering them.

Municipal resources were stretched thin to care for so many animals and many litters were born in the shelter. SPCA International is proud to be partnering with Le Coeur Sur La Patte and the municipal shelter to improve their facility to segregate male and female dogs, support a massive spay and neuter effort and provide a six month education campaign aimed at schools and community groups.

Le Coeur Sur La Patte will work closely with the municipal shelter to keep the number of animals appropriate for the existing facility and will work with authorities to identify adoptable dogs and those that need specialized care. These steps are just the beginning of implementing a sustainable model of animal population control.

The city of Agadir stands as an example in a region where stray dogs and cats are often killed. The city is taking a proactive approach along with Le Coeur Sur La Patte to ensure stray animals are sterilized and vaccinated. This will greatly reduce the number of unwanted litters and will improve the health and safety of existing animals. With the additional focus on community education, Agadir is sure to also see an improvement in stray animal treatment, more sterilizations of family pets and higher adoption rates.

SPCA International is absolutely thrilled to support Le Coeur Sur La Patte and the city of Agadir as they pave the way for other cities in Morocco to adopt humane animal care and population control practices.

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

Here at SPCA International, we are thrilled that the New York State Senate has approved a bill to prohibit the sale of cats, dogs and rabbits in pet stores. The bill still needs to pass the Assembly and be approved by the Governor, but it is now well on its way. You can follow the bill on the state senate’s website and if you are a New York resident, it always helps to make your voice heard.

If approved, this legislation will ban the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in pet stores with a goal of increasing adoption rates and reducing the demand for animals bred in puppy mills and similar situations. As someone who adopted a momma dog from a shelter after her pups all found homes, I am thrilled with the prospect of this change.

Pet stores will still be able to offer animals for adoption which will help match animals with families and greatly reduce the demand for animals bred in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Because most pet stores earn the majority of their revenue from the sale of supplies, the legislation is expected to have minimal financial impact on pet stores. 

I am so heartened that my home state is taking this step to increase adoptions. My sincerest hope is that animals bred for pet store windows will become a thing of the past. We know that animals adopted through a thoughtful and purposeful process are more likely to stay in loving homes than animals bought without thorough consideration.

With this legislation, New York would join Maryland, California and hundreds of U.S. cities with similar legislation already in place. I am hopeful that more states and cities will follow and help further support a culture of animal adoption in the United States.

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

With our SPCA International headquarters located in New York City, we have felt the profound effects of COVID-19. Our staff members have done their part to slow the spread of the virus by working from home and only leaving for the most essential tasks. We have known neighbors, former classmates and friends who have fallen ill and even passed away. Our hearts and thoughts are with all those here in New York, across the country and around the globe who are healing, grieving, job searching and getting by any way they can.

I am immensely proud of the work our team, our supporters and our partners across the globe have continued to achieve, even during these difficult times. As we begin to transition toward a “new normal”, I am reflecting on some of the positive effects of this pandemic.

The global community has been forced to slow down, reconnect with family, and remember how to live without constantly running from one task to the next. We have strengthened communication strategies and business systems to accomplish our work even when we can’t be together.

In addition to the effects on people, our planet is also healing. Pollution and noise are down, and many animals are thriving and taking back their natural habitats. Animals are coming out of hiding in US national parks, and populations are increasing in unprecedented numbers. When we look back on COVID-19, I hope we remember the good that came out of this harrowing situation. I hope we remember to reduce our pollution, slow down our lives, and generously share our planet with animals.

At SPCA International, we are as busy now as we ever were. We have gotten our commute time back, quieted our lives and rededicated ourselves to new ways of problem-solving. We remain committed to our mission, advancing the safety and well-being of animals.

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

On May 20^th, the National Park Service removed hunting and trapping prohibitions on Alaska national preserves.

I am deeply concerned about this change. The new guidelines remove protections implemented in 2015 and will allow hunting and trapping practices that are being opposed by conservationists and many hunters. The rule change allows for:

• Using artificial light (such as spotlights) to hunt and trap black bears in their dens, including cubs and sows with cubs.
• Using bait to hunt and trap brown and black bears.
• Hunting and trapping wolves and coyotes (including pups) during the denning season.
• Hunting swimming caribou and using motorboats to do so.
• Using dogs to hunt black bears.

Personally, I don’t understand hunting for sport, and I am appalled at the idea of hunting bear cubs and wolf pups. Proponents of this rule change say it supports state hunting guidelines and gives tribal members the right to hunt traditionally. These statements may be true, but I believe the coming years will show many sport hunters taking advantage of this ruling.

Unfortunately, the new rules have already been implemented. Here at SPCA International, we’ll be keeping an eye on the situation and letting you know if there is any way to get involved in the future. In the meantime, you can find the ruling in the federal register here. https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NPS-2018-0005

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

Here at SPCA International, we’re celebrating Earth Day this April 22^nd, and we hope you are too. Granted, we aren’t throwing a big bash, but we’re taking a few minutes to recognize the importance of caring for the environment.

Keeping our planet healthy and sustainable is intrinsically linked to animal welfare. Conserving forests and grasslands keeps natural habitats intact. Removing plastics from oceans and rivers provides cleaner water for animals at all levels of the food chain. Reducing emissions keeps the air pure for all of us.

We remember that each day, every single person can take small steps to mitigate climate change and care for Planet Earth. Here are a few simple ideas to give the environment a symbolic hug:

• Use reusable grocery bags and keep plastic bags out of landfills and waterways
• Walk, bike or carpool to drive less and reduce air pollution
• Recycle paper, metal, batteries and everything else that you can
• Buy sustainable foods and products, more companies are sharing this information
• Eat less meat to reduce the byproducts of meat processing
• Use a reusable water bottle and coffee mug to reduce single use cups and bottles
• Turn out the lights when you don’t need them to save energy
• Turn off the water when you don’t need it, like when you’re brushing your teeth
• Print less paper at home and work to save more trees

With all of us taking a few simple steps like these, we can make a huge collective impact on our planet.

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

Animal shelters across the nation house thousands of dogs and cats in need of loving homes. That’s why I am heartened by the newly proposed New York State Senate Bill that would ban pet stores from selling dogs, cats and rabbits. Instead, pet stores would be encouraged to offer spaces to local shelters to showcase available rescue animals.

This is an exciting opportunity for the state of New York and other states that may enact similar legislation. Just imagine, instead of walking by a pet store window and seeing puppies and kittens for sale, we’ll see dogs and cats available for adoption. Coupled with strong federal regulations to combat puppy and kitty mills, legislation like this could change the way Americans acquire pets.

Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, D-Manhattan sponsored the bill and says, “by ensuring that pet stores can offer only rescues for adoption, this legislation will protect consumers, help to shut down the mills and end the puppy to-pet store pipeline,”

New York would join Maryland, California and hundreds of U.S. cities with similar legislation already in place. You can read the bill and follow it here:  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s4234

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

I hope you are staying safe and healthy while we navigate the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Here at SPCA International, we are in constant communication with officials, shelter partners and rescue organizations. They are keeping us abreast of the latest developments in Asia, Europe, Latin America and here in North America.  

People all over the world are stepping up to make sure animals stay safe during this crisis. In many countries, people are restricted from moving between their homes and workplaces, so shelter staff and volunteers are living at shelters to care for animals. However, animals continue to be at risk, mostly because of food shortages.

Over the past few weeks, many shelters have contacted us for help. They are scattered across the globe, but their stories are eerily similar. Stores are closing, food shipments are delayed, people don’t know if they’ll be allowed to go out to buy more food when they need it. Everyone is hustling to make sure they can feed the animals in their care during this crisis.  

Unfortunately, animals not in the care of animal welfare groups are at extremely high risk. We have reports from our partners that dogs in China are being killed indiscriminately and pets are being abandoned on the streets of Italy due to unfounded fears. Pets are being left behind when their owners pass away unexpectedly. Animal welfare groups are doing their best to respond to each of these emergency situations and save as many animals as possible while facing an uncertain future themselves.

As this situation unfolds, we’re continuing to monitor animal welfare across the globe and step in where we can help. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we have been able to earmark $100,000 for animal welfare groups affected by the COVID-19 crisis. 

We know the global COVID-19 crisis is far from over, and there are many unknowns, so we remain committed to helping animal welfare groups meet new and unique challenges as they arise.

Please, stay safe and healthy during this difficult time.

If you would like to help us continue to provide vital support to shelters and animals around the world in this most challenging time : 

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

March 8^th is International Women’s Day, so I want to take a moment to honor all of the amazing women in the field of animal welfare.

Animal welfare is by and large a women’s movement. That’s not to say there aren’t some amazing men involved with animal welfare, because there certainly are. However, the vast majority of our partner organizations in North America and overseas are led by women. Even here at SPCA International our staff is made up of an incredible group of strong and committed women.

So, this International Women’s Day, I would like to recognize and honor just a few of the women making the world a better place for animals.

• Helena Hesayne founded BETA Lebanon in 2004 and has since cared for thousands of animals. Today, BETA is in the process of building a new state of the art shelter facility that will house the over 800 dogs and cats who depend on Helena and her team.

• Suzanne Rivera Danziger wanted to build a shelter when she founded AMA Guatemala, but couldn’t afford it. Now she sees this as a blessing. Instead of sheltering, AMA helps low income local citizens foster the strays they encounter on the streets. Then AMA secures loving forever homes for the animals. With this model, Suzanne is changing public perceptions about animal responsibility in Guatemala.

• Pat Chan founded Spay Panama in 2001, which has sterilized tens of thousands of animals in Panama through free and low cost spay and neuter clinics held throughout the country. Pat’s innovative model of utilizing the time and talents of dozens of veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students has prevented the births of hundreds of thousands of unwanted animals.  

• Anna Clements founded SOS Galgos in Spain in 2000 along with her veterinarian husband. Together, they have saved hundreds of Spanish Greyhounds known as Galgos, brought the plight of Galgos to the public and political conscience, and even helped Galgos become one of the trendiest rescue dogs in Spain.

• Du Yufeng is the fearless leader of the Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre in China. A life-long animal lover, Du started rescuing dogs in 2003. She is well known for her work to stop the dog meat trade in China and has been known to demand permits from truck drivers and butcher operating illegally (then call the police to have them arrested).

• Garofita Hofmann leads Dog Rescue Romania where she has rescued hundreds of dogs and subsequently rehomed them throughout the European Union. Not just a shelter, Dog Rescue Romania works to sterilize dogs throughout the country and improve conditions for animals on the streets.

In my travels with SPCA International it has been an honor and a pleasure to meet the women advancing the animal welfare movement who are equal parts compassionate, motivated and intelligent. So to all the women who have stepped up to make life better for even just one animal. We see you, we honor you and we thank you.