Category: Feature Stories

Each year, SPCA International partners with under-resourced animal welfare groups in developing countries to put on spay and neuter clinics. One of our longstanding partners in this work is Spay Panama. This is an incredible group of volunteer veterinarians, technicians and local citizens that come together to offer sterilizations and veterinary care on a large scale. This December 14^th and 15^th, they held an event in Llano Bonito, Chitre, Panama where they treated over 700 animals, as shown in the photos below.
 

Daisy is one of those special dogs that charms everyone she meets. She isn’t boisterous or attention seeking. She is, quite simply, sweet.

When SPCA International’s partner organization in the Middle East found Daisy, she was in terrible shape. She was lying in a ditch with a bloody stump where one of her feet should have been. It looked like someone had hacked off her paw with a sharp knife.

Daisy had mange and was so filthy that three veterinarians refused to even treat her. Finally, we found a kind and talented veterinarian who saw Daisy’s will to survive.

It was touch and go for a while. We didn’t know if Daisy would make it, but the SPCA International community stepped up in a big way to make sure her veterinary care was funded.

One member of our community, named Eileen, stepped up in an even bigger way. She offered to adopt Daisy. Eileen says, “Daisy took my heart from the moment I saw her picture. It was the look in her eyes.” 

After months of careful veterinary care, Daisy was finally ready to make the trip to the U.S.  Now, over a year after Daisy almost died in a ditch, she is finally home with Eileen.

Daisy is getting around well on three legs and takes a few walks every day with Eileen, her husband, and their Chihuahua, Tink. Eileen wasn’t sure how Tink would feel about a new dog in the house, but he immediately accepted Daisy. Tink and Daisy have no problem sharing their food and they act like they have been together all their lives. Daisy’s journey has been long, painful and difficult, but she is finally home with a family who will love and care for her for the rest of her days. Thank you to everyone who made Daisy’s journey home possible.

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Holiday lists can get long, but here at SPCA International, we’ve rounded up some great gift ideas for the animal lovers in your life.  Whether you’re looking for something practical or fun, we’ve got you covered. These gifts are SPCA International staff picked and approved.

During the cold winter months, snow, salt and ice can be hard on your furry friend’s feet. Thankfully Musher’s Secret forms a breathable barrier for your animal’s paws, keeping your pet’s feet protected from the elements!

BarkBox is a monthly surprise of dog toys, treats, and goodies! From super chewers to small pups there is a Barkbox for your canine companion. Use our code at checkout, BBX1SPCA, not only will your pup get spoiled by getting some goodies in the mail but BarkBox will donate $15 of your purchase to us!

You and your pet can look snazzy all year round with handmade bow ties! Ugly Yellow House creates standout bowties that easily attach to your pet’s collar so they can look fashionable year-round. They also have equally cool bowties and pocket squares so the humans in your life won’t feel left out.

Let your cat’s inner DJ come out with this creative gift. The DJ Cat Scratching Pad lets your cat scratch a record rather than your furniture. With a spinnable deck and poseable tonearm made from 100% recycled paper, this gift means hours of fun for your feline friend!

When giving holiday treats to family and friends, don’t forget your canine and feline pals. Polkadog Bakery makes all-natural and high-quality gourmet treats for cats and dogs. From festive holiday flavors to year-round favorites there is something for every cat and dog on your list!

Don’t forget the humans in your life! Author Chris Clews has released a sequel to his popular book, What ’80s Pop Culture Teaches Us About Today’s Workplace. In Book #2, you’ll find 10 more unforgettable ’80s movies and even more righteous business lessons to apply at work. Plus a totally radical foreword from ’80s silver screen sweetheart Diane Franklin. Plus Chris Clews will be donating a portion of the proceeds from book sales and speaking engagements to SPCA International!

SPCA International is proud to provide veterinary supplies to partner organizations around the world. Dog Rescue Romania is one of these partners. They recently received a shipment from our Veterinary Supply Aid program and shared their thoughts and some pictures with us. 

Here’s what they had to say, “Our friends from America are always thinking about us. SPCA International sent us donations that are essential for our shelter. They sent us medical products that help us to save lives. Thank you, beautiful people! We send you lots of hugs!”

Every single SPCA International supporter should receive one of those hugs because this program would be impossible without our network of donors, supporters and sharers.

The shipment included thousands of dollars’ worth of medications and supplies. These supplies will help treat many sick and hurting animals.

Dog Rescue Romania is a small but mighty shelter that rescues some of Bucharest Romania’s most needy dogs and cats. They provide life-saving medical care to suffering animals. They also work to find loving forever homes for the animals they save.

Most Romanians take home less than $700 per month, so it is hard for them to afford veterinary medicine and supplies. That’s why donated veterinary supplies help animals receive the care they need before going home to adoptive families.

Our Veterinary Supply Aid program collects new veterinary supplies in North America and ships them overseas to developing countries like Romania. The cost of delivering these donated supplies is only a fraction of the actual value of each shipment. That means every donation to this program is multiplied! Shipping and customs clearance can get tricky, but shipping these supplies is worth it to save lives.

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Thanks to the many people who stood up to support Noobu, she is healing.

Sweet Noobu was found on the streets of Borneo with a fresh and gruesome wound. Someone had hacked her nose off. We think she might have been protecting her puppies because two of them were with her.

This terrible act angered locals. Several people offered rewards for information, but no one came forward.

Thankfully, our partner organization in Borneo was able to give Noobu the specialized medical care she needed to live. Noobu also had surgery to keep her nostrils open so she can smell.

All of this specialized care was expensive. That is why every SPCA International supporter is so important. Every single person who donated for Noobu’s care contributed to keeping her alive.

Today, Noobu’s pups have been adopted into loving homes where they will be safe. Noobu is now eating and drinking well. Amazingly, she is happy, kind and loving.

Unfortunately, Noobu’s life will never be the same. Her appearance might scare people, and her health will need to be constantly monitored.

Here at SPCA International, we are looking forward to the day when Noobu finds a loving forever family of her own. When she does, we’ll let you know.

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Its purpose is to celebrate and encourage giving. It is a new holiday tradition and a movement defined by a crusade of philanthropists all giving to charity on the same day.

This year, you don’t have to start the holiday season by spending hours in line and being elbowed by your neighbors for the best deal. Instead, start your holiday season off with an act of generosity.

Join us to celebrate #GivingTuesday on December 3, 2019 by planning to include SPCA International in the gifts you make on that day. (We recommend you mark your calendar with a reminder to donate on SPCAI.org.) We hope you will plan to make donations to many of your favorite charities. By starting your holiday season with acts of generosity, you might just find this is the best holiday season yet.

Funds will help build the most innovative shelter facility in the country.

SPCA International has awarded the largest grant in our history to a Lebanon shelter called Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA). BETA will use the funds to construct a new state of the art shelter in Beirut, Lebanon.

Since 2004, BETA has been working to create a cruelty-free city through education and activism. BETA rescues dogs, cats and wildlife from life-threatening danger. Once in their care, they work tirelessly to place animals in loving homes locally and around the world. The organization also conducts trap, neuter and release programs to reduce the overpopulation of stray dogs and cats in Beirut.

SPCA International has been partnering with BETA since 2016 in support of the over 800 homeless dogs and cats that BETA cares for.

In September 2018, BETA received an eviction notice from their current shelter site; putting all the animals in their care at risk once again. In early 2019, BETA received permitting approval for a new shelter location but the land is entirely undeveloped. BETA has until December 2019 to build a new facility and move their animal population.

The new shelter has been designed in accordance with international standards. Modeled after a world-renowned American shelter, the new facility is designed to increase adoption rates, run sustainably and be an example for others in the region to follow.

“We are proud to give BETA $100,000 for their innovative new shelter. Their task ahead is difficult and their timeline is tight. We hope this grant will help propel them toward the finish line and inspire others to give generously,” explains Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International.

The funding is distributed through SPCAI’s Shelter Support Fund which supports and partners with underfunded animal welfare organizations in the U.S. and worldwide to increase their impact. Since 2007, SPCAI has assisted animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world.

All of us know pets that communicate as well as humans. Watch this furry feline’s attitude come to life with his owner’s rendition of I-Spy. See if you can find the “something blue” he is looking for. What could it be?

SPCA International provides Operation Military Pets grants to help military families transport pets to new duty stations.

Victoria is a U.S. Army soldier, a single mother of two, and an animal lover. Her orders recently took her from North Carolina to South Korea!

The Army paid for most of Victoria’s moving expenses, but none of the thousands of dollars it cost to move her pets. She reached out to SPCA International for help transporting her five-year-old German Shepherd mix, A.J. and SPCA International was able to provide her with a grant to help cover the unexpectedly high transportation costs.

Victoria and her children simply couldn’t imagine leaving A.J. behind. They have been through a lot together. A.J. came down with Parvo when she was a puppy and Victoria nursed her through it. The entire family takes walks together, and A.J. is part of a pet family that includes another dog, a cat, and two bearded dragons!

Now, settled in South Korea but still adjusting to their new life, the entire family looks forward to coming home to see A.J. and their other pets at the end of the day. Victoria shares that her pets are part of their family, and they help teach her children responsibility, love and care. They couldn’t imagine living in a new place without their pets.

Victoria is so grateful for the support provided by SPCA International and is happy that her entire family was able to stay together and make it to South Korea.

SPCA International is excited to announce a new partner in Guatemala. AMA (Asociación de Amigos de los Animales) helps local individuals foster animals and educates people throughout the city.

AMA’s founder shared that her original hope was to establish an animal shelter, but she didn’t have the funding. Today, she realizes this was a blessing in disguise. AMA is able to leverage the goodwill of city citizens to care for stray animals. Their reach is much wider than it would have been with a traditional shelter.

Now, residents know they can call AMA if they find a stray animal in need of care. AMA supports individual rescuers by helping with the costs of veterinary care and food, and finding a foster home if needed.

This support is critical because nearly 60% of Guatemalans live in poverty. Without AMA’s help many would be unable to care for an animal. AMA works to find permanent homes for the animals while they are in foster care.

AMA also works throughout Guatemala City to educate the public about animal care and welfare. For the last 25 years, AMA has been working to educate Guatemala City’s youngest residents by presenting at local elementary schools. They are even developing a custom coloring book that includes animal care tips and use an opossum named Johnny to help deliver their message.

Johnny-the-opossum was found injured about three years ago as a tiny baby. AMA saved his life by giving him round the clock care including bottle feeding. Unfortunately, Johnny can’t be released back into the wild, but he makes a wonderful spokes-opossum for animal care and welfare.