Category: Feature Stories

We are overjoyed to provide an update on the incredible rescue of 27 puppies from China’s horrific dog meat trade. Earlier this summer, our dedicated shelter partner in China, Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre Of Guangyuan, conducted a brave undercover operation, leading them to a breeder raising puppies to sell at the notorious Yulin Dog Meat Festival. Eventually, they were able to convince the breeder to release the puppies into their care. It is because of their courageous efforts that these puppies have been saved from a brutal death.

Upon rescue, nearly half of the puppies were found to be severely ill with Canine Distemper and Parvovirus. They were rushed to the hospital, where 13 of them spent over a month receiving intensive care. Today, we are thrilled to share that all of these puppies are out of the hospital, healthy, and thriving under the loving care of our local partner.

The transformation in these puppies is nothing short of miraculous. They are now happy, playful, and enjoying the simple joys of being puppies. This rescue and subsequent care came at a significant cost, but thanks to the incredible generosity of donors like you, we were able to support their rescue and give them a second chance at life.

We sincerely thank our donors, whose compassion and support made this rescue possible. Your contributions have saved lives and given these puppies a future filled with love and happiness.

We are also profoundly grateful to our brave partners who continue to fight against the dog meat trade. Their unwavering dedication and courage in the face of such a daunting challenge inspire us all.

Earlier this year, we partnered with the Animal and Environment Association (AEA) in Bethlehem to bring ten dogs from Palestine to the safety of the United States. It was a challenging mission, but these brave dogs are now all in loving homes, living the safe and happy lives they deserve.

Unfortunately, conditions in the West Bank continue to deteriorate, affecting both people and animals. Supplies are running low, and AEA has limited funds to purchase essential food and medicine. The animals are terrified by the constant noise of bombs and fighting. As more people flee the region, more animals are left behind, desperate for help.

AEA is determined to rescue as many animals as possible but can’t do it alone. The shelter has dozens of dogs in need of loving homes. Will you open your heart and home to one of these animals? When you adopt one dog, you actually save two by making room for another rescue from the dangerous streets.

Check Out Some of The Available Dogs:

Are you interested in adopting? Please email [email protected] or visit AEA Bethlehem Shelter for more information. 

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news! Thanks to the incredible kindness and generosity of Lemonade and its customers, SPCA International has been awarded $61,239 through Lemonade’s Give Back program. This significant grant will have a profound impact on our mission to provide life-saving care, rescue, transport, shelter construction, and disaster relief aid for animals in over 70 countries.

With this funding, we can offer low-cost and free clinics with vital preventative care to underserved areas around the globe. Additionally, we’ll be able to reunite soldiers and refugees overseas with their beloved pets, ensuring no animal is left behind.

We estimate this grant will positively impact the lives of 12,247 animals worldwide. Animals in need from Brazil to Ukraine, Cambodia to Morocco, and Tanzania will receive the food and care they deserve.

SPCA International is deeply honored to be one of the organizations that Lemonade customers choose to support through their innovative Give Back program. Lemonade, a home and renters insurance company, has ingeniously woven social good into its business model. By charging customers a flat fee and reserving the remaining premiums to pay claims, any leftover money is donated to the customer’s chosen charity at the end of the year as a “give-back” donation.

We are immensely grateful to everyone who donated their unused premium to help animals in need. Your support is making a world of difference, and together, we are creating a brighter future for animals everywhere.

Thank you, Lemonade, and thank you to all the generous customers who chose to make a positive impact through their donations. Your compassion and support are truly life-changing!

Brazil endured two weeks of relentless heavy rain in late April and early May, submerging much of the Rio Grande do Sul region. Water levels surged to the rooftops, sweeping away cars and destroying much of the infrastructure. The disaster has claimed 172 lives and displaced around 800,000 people. The flooding also impacted thousands of animals, particularly strays, who had nowhere to go and no one to protect them. 

Upon receiving reports of animals stranded on rooftops, desperately awaiting rescue, we knew immediate action was needed. Our team swiftly mobilized, contacting local partners and rushing funds to secure essential supplies for rescue operations.

Thanks to the generosity of compassionate donors like you, we raised enough funds to support Only Cats, a private clinic that opened its doors to stray cats during the flooding. The clinic quickly became overwhelmed with the influx of cats, with more arriving daily. Our team provided crucial assistance, including financial support for three air conditioning units and creating temporary housing for the new arrivals. Together, we helped over 350 stray cats, many of whom are now in loving foster homes.

Recognizing that many animals were still stranded in the Sao Leopoldo area, we assembled a rescue team. Locals alerted us to the dire situation: scared, starving cats and dogs were beginning to eat each other. We knew swift action was crucial.

Led by the remarkable local rescuer Jackson Ferreira and Resgatinhos Itacuruca, the team rescued terrified stray cats from rooftops and brought them to safety. They also scaled buildings to enter flooded homes where pets had been left behind. Working tirelessly day and night, the team saved 47 cats, three dogs, and one chicken from the flood zone.

On dry land, the rest of our team aided at makeshift shelters housing over 3,000 animals evacuated from the flood zone. While some animals have reunited with their owners, much work remains. Many animals still await their families, and countless strays need loving homes.

Thanks to Indefesos, a wonderful organization in Rio de Janeiro, Indefesos, some animals are already on their way to finding new families. After being rescued from the flood zone, we helped transport two dogs and three cats to their shelter, where they received the medical attention, love, and care needed to prepare for adoption. It warms our hearts to know they will soon be with loving families.

The devastation caused by this flood is indescribable. Our hearts go out to all the people and animals of Brazil who have lost so much. We hope we can play a small role in rebuilding what was lost.

Thank you to everyone who made these rescues possible, especially: Resgatinhos Itacuruca, Oito Vidas, and Osindefesos. You are true heroes.

Donate today to help ongoing efforts in Brazil.

Animal rescue laws differ widely worldwide, making international rescues particularly challenging. When we learned about a group of horses abandoned in a junkyard in Morocco, we knew it wouldn’t be easy to save them, but we were determined. Some horses had already died, and we knew we had to act swiftly to save the remaining ten.

Thanks to our generous supporters, we raised funds to purchase land and build a stable near our local partner’s property. While construction began, the Morocco Animal Aid team visited the horses daily, providing food, water, and medical care. However, gaining legal ownership of the horses proved more challenging than anticipated. After weeks of negotiations, we finally succeeded in bringing the horses into safe care.

The horses have started healing and are ready to embrace their new home. And Morocco Animal Aid has been working with local authorities to ensure that they are alerted if any other horses are abandoned in the junkyard, allowing them to act before it’s too late. The newly constructed sanctuary houses twelve horses, including the ten rescued from the junkyard.

We will never forget the horrific conditions the horses endured or the innocent lives lost. However, it brings us immense joy to have saved the others, who will now live the rest of their lives peacefully.

At SPCA International, we love spoiling our pets with delicious treats, which is why we are thrilled to have Swell Dog Gelato as one of our corporate sponsors. Swell Gelato is crafted with high-quality, wholesome ingredients and no preservatives. They offer a variety of delightful flavors, including Banana Peanut Butter, Pumpkin Cheddar, and their special birthday flavor—It’s My Barkday. Additionally, Swell provides gourmet dog food toppers, adding a healthy twist to your pup’s meals.

Swell Dog Gelato has been supporting SPCA International since 2019 when the company was founded in Seattle. By donating a portion of their proceeds to our programs, Swell has positively impacted the lives of countless animals in need.

We are excited to announce that Swell’s dog-approved gelato is now available on the East Coast—something the pups at our headquarters are very excited about. If your furry friend hasn’t tried their gelato yet, check to see if it’s available at a store near you. Treat your pup to something special while also supporting dogs in need.

“Portion of Proceeds” Transparency Statement: Swell Dog Gelato, Inc pledges to donate 4 percent of sales proceeds to SPCA International for the foreseeable future.

We’re excited to team up with WeWard once again to raise funds for animals in need. Last time, we raised $5,000 for our Patriot Pets program, reuniting brave U.S. service members with the animals they rescue and befriend during deployment. Thanks to the incredible animal-loving team at WeWard and our dedicated supporters, we reached our goal quickly. This time, we’re aiming to raise $10,000 for our PAWsitive Recovery program, which provides temporary shelter and care for the pets of individuals recovering from addiction and escaping domestic abuse.

How WeWard Works

Helping animals in need through the WeWard app is easy and free. Here’s how you can make a difference:

Every Ward you donate will help positively change the lives of vulnerable individuals and the pets they love. There’s no better or easier way to give back, so don’t wait. Download the WeWard app today, start walking, and saving lives!

About PAWsitive Recovery

PAWsitive Recovery, SPCA International’s newest program, offers a new “leash” on life for people in recovery and animals in shelters, helping them heal from addiction, trauma, and domestic violence. Many people avoid getting help because they have no one to care for their pets while they’re away. No one should have to lose a pet to help themselves.

PAWsitive Recovery provides pet foster care for individuals seeking treatment or recovering from domestic violence, alleviating the fear of losing their pets forever. Knowing their beloved pet is cared for makes all the difference. We also facilitate partnerships with recovery centers and animal shelters to offer workshops that integrate animals, therapy, meditation, and exercise to help with the loneliness, stress, and depression that often accompany recovery.

Last month, we received a plea for help – compassionate US service members needed our help to bring three puppies to safety. While on a mission, these American heroes found the abandoned puppies struggling to survive. They took them into their care and provided them with shelter, food, and love, but as the end of their deployments approached, they worried they’d be forced to leave their beloved companions behind. That’s when they reached out to us for help, and thanks to your incredible generosity and unwavering support, we were able to bring Charlie, Petra, and Jordan into our care.

We are showering them with love while we prepare them for their journey home. Once the puppies are old enough to travel and have all their vaccines and paperwork, they’ll head to the US and into the arms of the brave men who rescued them. None of this would have been possible without your help. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for giving Charlie, Petra, and Jordan the chance at the safe and happy life they deserve.

For more updates and footage of their reunion, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter or sign up for text alerts by texting “PUPPIES” to 55101.

In a world where stigma often overshadows the path to recovery, our PAWsitive Recovery program stands as a beacon of support and understanding. We believe in fostering a community where individuals can find the encouragement to embark on their journey toward recovery, rebuild their lives, and care for their cherished pets.

Last month, we joined forces with the University of Denver Collegiate Recovery Program for a special event to shed light on substance abuse on college campuses. Teaming up with Soul Dog Rescue, we created a puppy pen where students could learn about our program and discover available recovery services on campus while enjoying the company of playful puppies. The turnout surpassed our expectations, with an overwhelming number of students joining us for a day filled with laughter, connection, and meaningful conversations.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this event, including our dedicated PAWsitive Recovery Volunteers and our partners at Soul Dog Rescue. Together, let’s continue supporting initiatives that break down barriers and make a genuine difference in the lives of people and animals in need. Learn more about our program and how you can get involved by visiting our PAWsitive Recovery page.

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, sometimes, it’s the simplest connections that carry us through the darkest times. For Amira, a refugee from Sudan, the longing to be reunited with her cherished companion, Tonja, was her beacon of hope.

Tonja, a sweet and playful German Shepherd, was only four months old when he became a part of Amira’s family. He was named after a hero, the late dog of Amira’s parents, who spent years protecting her mom and the rest of their town.

For Amira, Tonja was more than a pet; he was a source of joy. He was a ball of energy who stole the hearts of everyone he encountered. Even his veterinarian dubbed him the “happiest dog in Khartoum.”  Amira never imagined that she would ever be separated from her beloved dog, but when conflict erupted in Sudan, their world shattered.

Bombs shook the streets; gunfire echoed through the neighborhoods, and residents were forced out of their homes at gunpoint. With people being killed all around her, Amira had no other choice but to flee in an effort to save her life. With a heavy heart, she left Tonja behind, knowing she couldn’t pass through checkpoints with him. Amira hoped she’d be able to return to her home and Tonja in a few weeks once things settled down, but they never did. 

Kind neighbors cared for Tonja temporarily, but as the conflict escalated, Amira knew they would also have to flee soon. Desperate to save the dog she loved so much, Amira reached out to our Apollo’s Aid program for help.

Bringing Tonja to safety was challenging. While we’ve rescued dogs out of conflict zones in the past, evacuating Tonja from Sudan proved to be one of the biggest challenges our Apollo’s Aid team has faced. But we never gave up. We knew just how important Tonja was to Amira and her family. They had lost everything – having to uproot their entire lives at a moment’s notice. We could not let them lose Tonja, too.

After months of hard work and determination, Tonja and Amira finally reunited in Cairo in early March, where Amira and her family are working to rebuild their lives. To no one’s surprise, Tonja has already made friends in town. He continues to be the “kind, messy, extremely loving, and gentle” dog Amira loves so dearly.

 “The trauma of losing everything suddenly and having to restart your life is the strangest thing. It’s like processing the experiences that would happen to a person in many years in a few months. Some sort of closure is required to happen in order to start building again. Tonja was a missing piece of my family, and it was necessary to reunite with him to begin the process of rebuilding. I must sound so over the top, but it’s true.

I would like to thank SPCA International for their support, patience and positivity. This was a difficult mission. Thank you for not giving up. This was truly amazing.”

 – Amira

You make it possible for refugees like Amira to reunite with their beloved companions through our Apollo’s Aid program.