SPCA International exists to leverage the generosity of donors to reach some of the most at risk and in need animals in the world. Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society is a perfect example of the impact our North America supporters can have in developing countries.
In Liberia, where most people live on under $2 per day, the costs of vaccines and veterinary care for pets can be painfully out of reach, which is why funds donated through SPCA International go so far. Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society’s village-to-village veterinary program provides vaccines, wound care, food and other basic veterinary attention to ensure pets are as safe and healthy as possible.
Animal welfare is a fairly new concept in Liberia, so the organization has paired their assistance programs with a community education approach that engages school children through “Animal Kindness Clubs”. These clubs operate in over 40 schools and create opportunities for children to discover their innate passion and love for animals, and how to care for pets.
Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservation Society has proudly been serving communities since 2000, has persevered through COVID-19. SPCA International is thrilled to count this organization as a key partner.
Founder of Swell Gelato, Debbie Hendrickx has been donating a portion of her proceeds to SPCA International for almost 2 years now. Her incredible generosity has helped hundreds of dogs in need.
We were recently able to steal Debbie away from her extremely busy gelato production schedule to sit down for a minute to give us the inside scoop on her passion for animals and what inspired this unique set of sweet treats for dogs.
What inspired you to start Swell Gelato?
When my 18 year career in fashion retail came to an end, I considered getting into the gelato ( for humans) business as I was already a passionate gelato maker for my family. Contemplating that idea around in my head I kept reminding myself that this was also my now or never moment to do something that involved my biggest passion in life: dogs. The idea to merge the two together came to me in the middle of a sleepless night and as soon as I thought of it, I knew that it was perfect in every way. I have always been fond of the word Swell ( magnificent, lovely, that which is neat) so as soon as the concept of artisan gelato for dogs was born there was no question what the name of the business would be.
What do you love most about your work?
It is hard to say which makes me happier: seeing the dogs’ eyes bliss over when they eat a Swell Gelato or seeing the owners beam when they see how happy their dogs are. You can just feel the love these people have for their dogs. It’s this swell merry-go-round of feel good and happy – and I absolutely love it. Nowadays, I don’t have much time to attend events, but I am grateful for social media where people post pictures of their happy dogs eating their Swell Gelato. It’s almost just as good as witnessing it live!
How do you choose your new flavors and recipes?
I start by focusing on a flavor dogs love and then think of a combination of ingredients that work well with that flavor. The combination has to sound delicious to me ( I am the taste tester after all.) Once I have a general idea of my concept I figure out how to make that work with dog friendly ingredients, while keeping certain fat and sugar content proportions in mind that are required for successful artisan gelato making. I try to incorporate turmeric, ginger and cinnamon wherever I can as they have such great overall benefits for dogs and humans alike. I know I got it right when the gelato makes up beautiful in my gelato machine and is equally delicious to me and my panel of dog taste testers.
Which flavors are vegan?
All are vegetarian but most use honey for a sweetener. The one that is 100% vegan is the Sweet Potato Molasses and it’s a favorite!
A true labor of love, learn why Debbie is still (even with major expansion) dedicated to making each Swell Dog Gelato by hand.
Why did you decide to donate to help animals around the world through SPCA International?
I knew as soon as I started that I wanted to give back to dogs in need. In the beginning I donated to several smaller local rescues and operations, but it became really challenging for me to choose whom to fund as they all were such great causes so the donations ended up being fragmented. I knew that I could do more good by choosing one bigger organization that could put the money towards wherever it was needed most.
Where can I get Swell Gelato for my furry pal?
You can find Swell Gelato on the East and West Coasts, while expansion throughout the rest of the country is next.
Swell Dog Gelato is widely available in grocery stores, pet supply stores and gelato shops in the following states: Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Be sure to grab your pup some Swell Gelato at a store near you! Feel good knowing you’re treating your pet, supporting a woman-owned business and helping animals around the world – all at the same time!
Lola and Champ are just two of dozens of Operation Baghdad Pups: Worldwide animals who are safe in our care and awaiting transportation to the U.S. Rescuing dogs and cats for soldiers stationed overseas may seem simple, but it is a complex process that involves many caring people and lots of red tape.
These rescued pets are passed from soldiers to our in-country staff and partners to begin the vaccination and travel clearance process. From there, SPCA International navigates the many complex requirements of bringing dogs and cats from overseas into the U.S.
Champ is the three-legged pup whose soldier was unexpectedly ordered back to the U.S. in December. Thankfully, he is in our care and awaiting transportation. His original travel plans fell through, but we are exploring pet transportation company and flight volunteer options, both of which have become more complicated with COVID-19 restrictions and requirements.
Lola is the sweet little puppy that was found all alone by soldiers on patrol. As a young pup, Lola had to wait for certain vaccinations required for travel to the U.S. She’s nearly ready and her travel arrangements are being made for March.
Thank you to everyone who is supporting the rescue missions of Lola and Champ. Here at SPCA International, we are anxious to get them to the U.S. and we know you are looking forward to receiving that news too. In the meantime, rest assured, these pups and others are safe, loved and cared for as they await reunification with their soldiers.
Thanks to an outpouring of support from the SPCA International community, Elena has made a remarkable recovery. Donations from many generous people were rushed to Elena’s caregivers, allowing them to give her the constant care and attention she needed to survive.
Before her rescue, Elena suffered as no animal ever should. After being kept on a short chain for many months, she was thrown out to fend for herself. Always hungry, she searched the streets for food. Elena approached locals, looking for a kind gesture, and was often met with painful kicks and stones.
Then, someone horrifically set fire to Elena and her pups. Tragically, only Elena survived the attack. She was found starving, burned and barely alive. She mourned the loss of her babies and had little will to live.
Today, Elena is confident, playful and trusting. Her hair is growing back, she is healthy, and amazingly, she still loves people. Elena is ready for a new life with a family that will love and care for her in the ways that she has always deserved.
A commitment to pet walking seems particularly important this January as COVID-19 continues to affect our daily lives. Recognizing Walk Your Pet Month doesn’t take much, as simply taking a trip around the block will make humans and furry friends feel better.
A few things to keep in mind for winter walking
Know your route: A few minutes in cold weather is usually ok for people and pets, but inadvertently taking longer than planned can leave everyone cold and uncomfortable. Plan your route ahead of time so you can get home before fingers and paws start to freeze!
Wear proper attire: Winter gear like gloves, a hat, and an insulated coat are important for people, but pets also might need help staying warm. Consider a sweater or coat for short-haired animals. Even if your pet has plenty of fur, they may benefit from booties to keep their paws safe from ice and packed snow.
Consider daylight: If you are just starting a winter walking routine, keep in mind that daylight ends early this time of year. As the sun sets, temperatures drop, meaning what begins as a pleasant stroll can quickly become a chilly, dark trek. Morning and midday walks are likely the best choice, ensuring you stay safe and get the maximum amount of vitamin D.
With short days, cold temperatures and COVID-19 restrictions, this winter might feel like a good time to stay inside, but the benefits of a daily walk with a furry pal are undeniable. Pet walking is a great way to exercise and a wonderful excuse to spend socially distanced time with a friend.
Happy walking from all of us at SPCA International. We’ll be taking our pets around the block and hope you will too!
Amidst COVID-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions, a loving family had to leave their dogs, Patches and Flower, behind in Malawi when they moved to Uganda. They were absolutely heartbroken, but our friends at TAWESO (Tanzania Animal Welfare Society) were able to come to their rescue.
Tanzania lies between Malawi and Uganda, so the team from TAWESO picked up the dogs in the South of Tanzania. They traveled for three days (and 2,000 kilometers) to safely deliver the dogs to the northern border with Uganda. From there, the dogs were reunited with their delighted family.
The wonderful people at TAWESO didn’t even know the dogs’ family before volunteering to help. We are thrilled that TAWESO was able to use the truck they purchased with support from SPCA International to make this long trek across the country.
TAWESO’s mission is to keep animals safe and healthy in Tanzania, but they truly went above and beyond by sharing their resources to make sure Patches and Flower made it to their new home safely. This is an incredible example of the type of collaboration we have seen throughout the pandemic. Animal welfare groups across the globe have stepped up to help animals in any way they can.
Patches and Flower reunited with their family! Image courtesy of TAWESO
As 2020 comes to a close, we are reflecting on a year that has been anything but ordinary. From raging forest fires to a devastating pandemic, challenges have abounded. Throughout all of the turmoil, our SPCA International community has offered unwavering support.
We are immensely grateful for the generosity shown by many compassionate and caring individuals, like you, who have continued to give this year. We know how important it is to you that your donations reach the animal rescue and shelter groups that need them the most. Thank you for trusting us with your generosity.
With the support of our SPCA International community…
A special rescue flight brought 30 pandemic-stranded battle buddy pets out of the Middle East and delivered them to their soldiers’ homes in the U.S.
Thanks to $200,000 in donated funds, dozens of kangaroos, koalas and other animals were rescued from the Australian bushfires.
Hundreds of units of medicine and medical supplies were provided for hurt and suffering animals across the globe.
Over 55,000 bowls of food were poured for hungry cats and dogs and $196,000 in COVID relief funding was provided to shelters in need.
This year, animals around the world have needed our help more than ever. Thank you to everyone who made all of this incredible work possible by supporting SPCA International.
Jack the kangaroo came to Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in rough shape. He had been caught up in the Australian bushfires and his feet, tail and ears had suffered painful burns. Jack should have still been with his mother, but she was nowhere to be found.
Thanks to an outpouring of support from the SPCA International community, Jack received the best possible care and rehab. Today, Jack is thriving. He is learning to live on his own in the wild with a group of other young kangaroos.
September 27th
Jack and other adolescent kangaroos are placed in an area of the reserve with an open gate so they can begin to explore on their own. The gate will stay open with a feeding station for as long as they need it.
October 1st
A week after the gate was opened, Jack was seen exploring his surroundings on the motion camera.
November 10, 2020
Jack came for an afternoon visit.
November 10, 2020
Jack and his buddies grab a late-night snack at the Bluebush feeding station.
Like so many other deployed U.S. soldiers, Army Officer Stephen couldn’t look away when he saw a helpless dog in need. Baby was scared and timid, but Officer Stephen earned her trust, and they became constant companions. With military regulations prohibiting Baby from traveling with him, Officer Stephen turned to SPCA International for help getting her safely to his home.
Now, Baby is bounding through the snowdrifts in Officer Stephen’s backyard and has a long, happy future ahead of her. Officer Stephen is thrilled to have Baby home with his family in Montana, thanks to the amazing support of the SPCA International community.
This past spring, Marine Corporal Brady found himself falling hard for the fluffball puppy he named Marshmallow. He had no idea that COVID-19 would keep them both on their military base in the Republic of Georgia for months to come.
Finally, after months of waiting, flights started operating again. Luckily, Marshmallow was able to fly out of the Republic of Georgia on the same commercial flight as Corporal Brady. This was excellent because it meant Corporal Brady and Marshmallow could stay together until their travel date. There was only one catch – the military prohibits adopted pets from being added to service members’ tickets.
One of SPCA International’s dedicated flight volunteers, Lucas, offered to take the trip with Marshmallow. Since he was flying out in under 24 hours, Lucas was able to fly into the Republic of Georgia with a quarantine exemption.
After Lucas arrived at the airport, things started to go sideways. Lucas was asked to step into a room while his paperwork was processed. He had planned to spend one night at a hotel near the airport, but he was forgotten in the empty room at the airport for nearly 14 hours.
Meanwhile, Corporal Brady brought Marshmallow to the airport to meet up with Lucas, but Marshmallow’s crate was denied. The airport staff were requiring that animal crates have plastic screws, which the Corporal didn’t have.
Our U.S. team spent hours on the phone searching for solutions while Corporal Brady asked every airline counter for help. Finally, the Corporal had to go through customs, he was about to miss his flight. Heartbroken, he said goodbye to Marshmallow, thinking a fellow Marine would need to come get her and take her back to base.
Just as he cleared customs, Corporal Brady got a call from the SPCA International team. They had secured approval for Marshmallow’s crate. The Corporal tells us he burst into tears out of pure relief. Even though he had to travel on to finish up his deployment outside his home state, he knew Lucas would safely deliver Marshmallow to his home.
Now, Marshmallow and Corporal Brady are happily together in New York. When asked what he would tell people about SPCAI, the Corporal said, “Anything to keep this organization and selfless people going would make me happiest. I can’t thank them enough even now months later.”
Thanks to everyone in the SPCA International community who made Marshmallow’s rescue possible!
