Category: Feature Stories

At SPCA International, we believe real change for animals starts in the community. That’s why we’re so excited to share that we’ve given a $100,000 grant to our amazing partner, Korean K9 Rescue, for their new program, Operation 1M.

Operation 1M has one clear goal: to bring compassionate, practical solutions to rural communities that need them most.

In these areas, dogs are often kept on short chains and used as guard dogs. Many families care about their animals but don’t have access to veterinary care or lack the education to provide proper animal care. Operation 1M steps in with support, not judgment. The team works with families in ways that build trust and create lasting change.

Through this initiative, a dedicated team of volunteers provides:

• Free spay and neuter services to reduce overpopulation
• Ongoing veterinary care to keep dogs healthy
• Weather-resistant dog houses to protect dogs from harsh conditions
• Pulley systems that replace short chains, allowing dogs more room to move safely

These changes may seem simple, but they make a huge difference. Dogs are safer, healthier, and much happier.

Education is at the heart of Operation 1M. The team works closely with families, sharing humane animal care practices in respectful ways that respect local traditions. This helps create real change that will last for years.

We are proud to support Korean K9 Rescue and their work through Operation 1M. Together, we’re not just helping dogs today. We’re helping build a future where every dog is treated with care and respect.

Because of you, 15 sweet Galgos were rescued from neglect, cruelty, and abuse. Many had been discarded at the end of hunting season. They were treated as disposable once they were no longer “needed.”

Today, their lives look completely different. They’re here in the United States, finally safe. Some are settling into foster homes, decompressing and learning what it feels like to be loved. Others are already in their forever homes, discovering the joy of having a family of their own.

Every single one of them is living a happier, safer life because your support made their rescue possible. And nothing brings us more joy than sharing their happiness with you, the person who helped make it all happen.

Next month, something incredibly meaningful is happening in Chornobyl.

Our longtime shelter partner, Clean Futures Fund, will hold a large spay-and-neuter clinic within the Nuclear Exclusion Zone. And thanks to you, SPCA International is funding all of the medical supplies needed to make it happen.

This special clinic also falls during a powerful moment in history: the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.

In 1986, a nuclear reactor exploded, releasing radioactive material across the region. The accident forced thousands of families to evacuate their homes almost overnight. They were told to take only what they could carry and that they would be back soon. Believing they’d return in a few days, many people left behind their beloved cats and dogs with extra food and water.

Heartbreakingly, they were never allowed to come back.

Against all odds, many of those pets survived on their own. Today, hundreds of their descendants still live among the empty buildings and forests of Chornobyl.

For nearly a decade, SPCA International has worked side by side with Clean Futures Fund to care for these resilient animals. Together, we’ve provided food, warm shelter during harsh winters, and lifesaving medical care to dogs who have known a life few of us can imagine.

Now, this upcoming clinic will help protect even more of them. The goal is to spay, neuter, and vaccinate 350 animals. That means preventing hundreds of future litters from being born into challenging conditions. It also means protecting these dogs from painful and other preventable diseases. Every surgery and every vaccine helps stabilize the population and improve the health of the entire community of animals living there.

Spay-and-neuter clinics are among the most effective and compassionate ways to create lasting change. Instead of reacting to suffering later, we’re preventing it now.

We are so grateful for the ongoing generosity of our supporters. Because of you, we’re able to fund the medical supplies that make this clinic possible, from surgical tools and vaccines to antibiotics and basic care items. Your kindness is reaching animals in one of the most unique and challenging places in the world.

Earlier this month, our team traveled to Spain to meet with our dear partners at SOS GALGOS. It was a trip filled with learning, advocacy, rescue work, and unforgettable moments of compassion. Alongside SOS GALGOS, we met with local leaders, rescued dogs in need, marched for change, educated children, and helped 15 Galgos begin new lives in the United States. 

We wouldn’t have been able to accomplish any of this without your support. Here’s a look at everything we accomplished together.

Standing Together on World Galgos Day

Our trip lined up with World Galgos Day, a powerful day of marches and demonstrations across Spain and around the world. In Barcelona, nearly 1,000 people gathered to stand up for Galgos and other hunting dogs who face terrible abuse.

The march began near Arc de Triomf and continued through the city to the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Our SPCA International banners drew attention as marchers chanted and called for change. The message was clear: the world is watching, and Galgos deserve better. 

We will continue to raise awareness of the suffering of Galgos worldwide. More people must understand the reality of these animals if we want real, lasting change. 

Meeting With Local Leaders for Change

Our journey took us to Calatorao, where we met with David Felipe, the town’s mayor. We had a positive and meaningful conversation about the welfare of Galgos and the urgent need for compassion-driven change.

We explained why the current legal status of Galgos is harmful, what we hope to see in the future, and the steps that can be taken to achieve it. We also provided copies of the children’s book for local teachers to use in their classrooms.

By helping children learn empathy and kindness at a young age, we hope to inspire a future where animals are treated with care and respect. Real change begins with education, open dialogue, and working together.

Inspiring Compassion Through Education

While in Barcelona, we joined SOS Galgos for one of their School Workshops at the shelter. These workshops teach children about the lives of Galgos, the hardships many face, and why compassion matters.

The day ended with a special reading program. Children sat quietly, reading their favorite books aloud while the dogs rested beside them. For many rescued Galgos, who arrive scared and unsure of people, these gentle moments help them relax and begin to trust again. Watching children and dogs comfort one another was incredibly moving and reminded us of the power of kindness.

Rescuing Aragon

We also spent time with a local rescuer named Martha, whose deep knowledge of the area helps SOS Galgos save dogs from dangerous situations. She guided our team through villages and pointed out places where Galgos have been abandoned or injured in the past.

That same day, we met a Galgo who had been found alone at a gas station near the highway. He had no home, no bed, and no name. We named him Aragon, after the region where he was found.

Aragon traveled back with us to the SOS Galgos shelter in Barcelona. He was calm and gentle during the long car ride and arrived just before sunset. There, he enjoyed a warm meal, a soft bed, and his first night of safety and love. Aragon is now receiving medical care and beginning his journey toward a forever home.

Bringing 15 Galgos to Safety

One of the most exciting parts of our trip was helping 15 Galgos travel to the United States. These are the dogs you helped fundraise for earlier this year. Because of generous donors like you, these dogs were given a second chance.

We ensured every dog was prepared for their trips, with medical care, spay or neuter surgeries, vaccines, and travel documents. The pups were driven overnight from Barcelona to Madrid. There, we built 15 travel crates, filled them with fresh linens, gave each dog a new coat, and made sure they could stretch their legs and drink water before their 9.5-hour flight.

Our team accompanied the dogs on their 9.5-hour journey to O’Hare International Airport. There, four amazing rescue partners were waiting to welcome them: American Greyhound, Inc., Serenity Animal Group, Kansas City Regap, and Magnificent Mutts & Meows Rescue.

Together, we watched as each Galgo took their first steps on U.S. soil, then continued to their foster and forever homes across the Midwest.

This trip reminded us that real change happens through many small but meaningful actions, whether it is a conversation with a mayor, a child reading to a rescue dog, a march through city streets, or a quiet car ride with a dog finally heading toward safety.

None of this would be possible without the compassion of our supporters. Because of you, these dogs are getting a second chance at life.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping create a kinder world for animals everywhere.

February is Spay & Neuter Month, and at SPCA International, we are proud to celebrate it with action.

This year, we are committing more than $270,000 to spay-and-neuter efforts around the world. These funds will support trusted partners in Brazil, Nepal, Panama, Serbia, South Korea, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, the United States, and Venezuela, helping them spay and neuter stray animals and provide free or low-cost sterilizations to pets in low-income communities.

Every day, animals are born into situations where there are not enough homes, food, or medical care. Unplanned litters often mean more animals living on the streets, facing hunger, disease, injury, and cruelty.

Spaying and neutering is the most humane and effective way to prevent this suffering before it starts.

When animals are spayed or neutered:

• Fewer puppies and kittens are born without homes
• Communities see fewer animals living on the streets
• Shelters are less overcrowded
• Animals live healthier, longer lives

Spaying and neutering is not about limiting life. It is about protecting it.

Spay & Neuter Month is a time to celebrate progress, but it is also a reminder that this work must continue year-round.

At SPCA International, we remain committed to humane, practical solutions that protect animals and support the people who care for them. By investing in spay and neuter programs around the world, we are helping build a future where fewer animals suffer, and more can live safe, healthy lives.

Together, we can stop the cycle of overpopulation and create kinder communities for animals everywhere.

Last month, we shared an urgent plea to help a Galgo in desperate need. Camino was found dumped in a plastic bag. We don’t know who left her there, or what she endured before that moment, but we knew we had to act. We had to make sure she would never feel pain like that again.

Her story broke our hearts. And when we asked for your help, you answered. Because of your support, Camino was rescued.

She is now safe in Barcelona at a shelter run by our trusted partners. She is receiving medical care, growing stronger each day, and slowly learning that she is no longer alone. Camino is now loved, protected, and one step closer to the forever home she deserves.

None of this would have been possible without you. Camino is alive today because you chose to care. Thank you!

When U.S. service member Angel was deployed to a base in Africa, he never expected to meet a tiny cat who would change his life. Nala was small, scared, and living on her own, but she quickly found comfort in Angel. From the start, the two formed a strong bond. Angel promised Nala that one day he would bring her back to the United States and give her the safe, loving home she deserved.

Before Angel could begin planning her rescue, things became more complicated. Nala was pregnant, and soon after, she gave birth. Life on the base was dangerous for stray animals, and when base security took Nala’s kittens for population control, Angel’s fear grew. He knew Nala would be next. If security found her, he would never see her again.

Sadly, that fear became reality. Nala was captured and dumped far out in the desert, left to starve and die. Angel was heartbroken. By then, he had already been sent back to the United States and could do nothing to help her. He believed he had lost her forever.

But Nala’s story didn’t end there.

Against all odds, when Angel later returned to the base, something incredible happened. Nala found him. After being abandoned in the desert, she had wandered back, searching until she reached the one person she trusted. When Angel saw her again, he knew he could not wait another moment. He reached out to us right away for help.

We moved quickly to bring Nala into our care and give her the love and medical attention she needed. Thanks to the compassion and generosity of our supporters, Nala was safe at last. With donor support, we were able to cover her care and arrange her journey home.

Soon after, Nala boarded a flight to Florida, where she was welcomed home by Angel’s wife. Today, Nala is happy, safe, and very much at home. She loves spending her days curled up next to her family and can’t wait until Angel’s deployment is over so she can jump into the arms of the hero who saved her.

In just a few days, our team is traveling to Spain to stand alongside local partners and animal welfare organizations in defense of Galgos, Spanish greyhounds who suffer unimaginable cruelty in the name of hunting.

Every year, Galgos are used by local hunters to chase hares during hunting season, which runs from October through February. During this time, many of these dogs are kept in terrible conditions. They are often starved and denied water, so they will hunt harder. They are not treated like living, feeling animals, but like tools.

When hunting season ends, the suffering does not stop. Many Galgos are brutally killed, beaten, hanged, or buried alive. Others are abandoned on the side of the road, injured, frightened, and left to survive on their own. These dogs did nothing wrong. They are gentle, loyal, and trusting, yet tens of thousands are discarded every year once they are no longer considered useful.

On February 1, SPCA International will join local partners and animal welfare organizations in Barcelona to march for the rights of Galgos. Together, we will raise awareness about the pain these dogs endure and urge the Spanish government to enact and enforce stronger animal welfare laws. This march is about raising awareness, promoting accountability, and driving change.

Our work in Spain will not stop there. We will be meeting with local officials to push for stronger protections for animals. We will also host educational workshops geared towards elementary school-aged children to help teach compassion and responsible treatment of animals to future generations. 

We will also travel to regions where Galgos are used for hunting and where they are frequently abandoned after the season ends. We aim to rescue some of these dogs and get them the care and safety they deserve.

This will be an emotionally challenging journey. Witnessing suffering firsthand is never easy. But it is necessary. Galgos cannot speak up for themselves, so we must be their voice.

We will be sharing updates from Spain on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok as this important work unfolds. Please stay tuned, stand with us, and help us fight for a future where Galgos are protected, valued, and treated with the compassion they deserve.

Together, we are asking for change.

Earlier this year, we shared the heartbreaking stories of three dogs in desperate need of help — Rani, Ari, and Gerry. Thanks to your kindness, these sweet pups are now safe, healing, and surrounded by love!

When our partners first rescued them, their conditions were dire. Gerry had been beaten, and his eye was severely injured. We weren’t sure if his eye could be saved. Ari had been burned and even run over by a car. Rani, just a young pup, was starving, hurt, and sick with ticks and infections. His front leg was broken, and he was so weak.

But because of you, everything changed. They got the medical care, food, and love they needed to heal.

We’re so happy to share that Ari, Gerry, and Rani have made full recoveries! They are all healthy, playful, and ready to find their forever homes. Best of all, Gerry’s eye was saved! He can see just fine now and loves everyone he meets.

These three dogs are proof that kindness can change everything. You gave them a second chance, and now they get to be happy, loved, and carefree.

Thank you for caring so much and for helping animals like Rani, Ari, and Gerry find hope again.

This holiday season, we’re celebrating some of the recent touching reunions made possible by our Patriot Pets program—moments where compassion, courage, and devotion brought U.S. service members and the animals they rescued back together on American soil.

Pluto

When Richard first spotted Pluto wandering near his base in Poland, the little cat was skinny, limping, and struggling to survive. Richard stepped in immediately, providing Pluto with the medical care he needed and offering the comfort and companionship that only a true friend can give. Far from home, Pluto became Richard’s emotional anchor, a steady source of joy during long, challenging days.

When it was time for Richard to return to El Paso, Texas, he couldn’t imagine leaving Pluto behind. Thanks to our Patriot Pets program and the generous supporters who fuel it, he didn’t have to. We brought Pluto into our care, arranged his transport to the U.S., and reunited him with Richard in a beautiful moment captured on video. Today, the two are back where they belong: together.

Imchi

Palmer found Imchi when she was a tiny, 8-week-old kitten trying to survive in the Middle East. He knew right away that she needed help. He became her protector, caregiver, and family during his deployment.

When Palmer’s time overseas came to an end, he reached out to us to ensure Imchi could also go home. On the day before Thanksgiving, the pair reunited at the Seattle airport, where Palmer joyfully announced, “It’s the baby’s first Thanksgiving and Christmas.” Now Imchi is settling into life with Palmer and his family, warm, safe, and surrounded by love, just in time for the holidays.

Grace

Grace was a pregnant stray when U.S. soldiers first noticed her wandering near their work area in the Middle East. She later returned with four tiny kittens, an entire little family looking for kindness. The soldiers took the family in, all promising to provide them with homes in the United States. And with our help, they did it! We were able to bring this cat family into our care and eventually help transport them to their forever homes in the United States, where they will live with their respective soldiers.

These reunions remind us why our Patriot Pets program matters so deeply. For many soldiers, the animals they rescue become family. And thanks to caring people like you, these families get the chance to stay together, no matter the distance.