Feature Stories Archives - Page 30 of 40

Toby and Friends’ Harrowing Rescue

January 11, 2017January 20, 2020

by SPCAI Staff

By Lori Kalef, Program Manager It’s another year and what a kick off to 2017 it has been! While everyone was celebrating the countdown to the end of 2016, our team was working around the clock to rescue two beautiful dogs and one gorgeous cat from a U.S. military base in Egypt. They belong to three extraordinary U.S. Soldiers whose lives have been changed by these four legged creatures they befriended while on deployment. “I want to rescue Toby because of the relationship we have built. He is a young dog that has been helpful to me and I want to give him a good life.” – U.S. Army SSgt. Clayton in Sinai, Egypt Every rescue mission we embark on reaps rewards, but they don’t come with out bumps along the way. We wish it was as simple as arranging their flights home and welcoming them on the other side, but every country has its challenges, especially those in conflict. Egypt is no exception and even though we had our amazing rescue representative on the ground, the obstacles this mission presented had me purchasing antacids near midnight. It can take months to arrange these rescues and it takes a plethora of individuals on the ground locally and stateside to coordinate the timing, export and import process, inoculations and so much more. With this particular rescue, the military had to be willing to transport the animals via military air due to the restricted civilian presence on base. Luckily Toby, a mixed breed pup with adorable freckles and a sweet kitty named Jasmine were brought over from Sinai to Sharm el Sheikh (our departure city) in time. But at the very last minute, we received word that Bounty, a cute little pup, was left behind due to spacing issues on the flight. We don’t get many chances at this so you can imagine how all of us were completely heartbroken; thinking the worst. We retired for the night after examining all possible options and we awoke to the greatest news ever. Unbeknownst to us, a few heroic Soldiers that couldn’t fathom Bounty being left behind pulled some strings and brought him to Sharm el Sheikh early the next morning! I am so lucky to witness heroes like these move mountains for dogs and cats. “On a deployment, anything that resembles home is priceless. Being away from everyone and everything you know, in a foreign land can be unsettling if not downright depressing at times. When Bounty was brought to my camp from an outpost, it was like Christmas in October…for the next 16 weeks or so we were inseparable! Bounty would go to the clinic with me for my 12hr shifts and back to my barracks to cuddle up and watch movies for the night. Not much is better than the unconditional love only a dog is capable of giving! Time off was spent running around outside, learning (and failing, lol) to walk on a leash, and chewing his fair share of my boots! He was lucky he was cute! …I’m still not believing this is really happening. I get to be this sweet puppy’s forever home. He rescued me when I needed him, and now I get to rescue him.” –U.S. Army Sgt. Leigh in Sinai, Egypt The obstacles didn’t stop there though. There were some other last minute problems with the airline, but we all finally exhaled a sigh of relief when we got word that they were in flight and en route to John F Kennedy Airport in New York. As fate would have it, an eastern snowstorm came blustering through, but they were able to land safely. However, the connecting flights to their final destinations and forever homes were all grounded for several days. As Toby, Bounty and Jasmine settled into their warm quarters in New York, little white flakes fell from the sky, a completely foreign concept to our new furry foreigners! “Several months ago.. Jasmine [a stray cat] started showing up around our barracks. I seized the opportunity to feed her my girlfriend’s cat food. As time went on, Jasmine became more and more comfortable with me. I ended up buying a large bag of cat food and some toys for her, and she now sleeps on my bed at night. I am proud to say that I take care of Jasmine just as much as she takes care of me by helping me through the tougher times during my tour.” –U.S. Army Sgt. Harley, Sinai, Egypt Today, Toby, Bounty and Jasmine have made it to their new homes and we can finally celebrate – all thanks to you – our generous supporters.

Victoria & Friends Update: Ongoing treatment and a forever home

December 9, 2016August 28, 2019

by SPCAI Staff

We first met Victoria in Brazil in August while working to protect animals ahead of the Olympic Games. The extent of Victoria’s injuries shocked us to our core. She was deliberately burned and left to suffer, along with 13 other dogs.

Today, Victoria’s recovery seems miraculous! She has almost fully recovered and her joyful spirit is infectious. Her 13 friends are also receiving veterinary treatment and all the care they need. In just a couple weeks Victoria will leave her old life in Brazil behind for a beautiful one in the United States with a family that absolutely adores her. Victoria will never again be the victim of abuse. Below you will find two videos and a gallery of images of Victoria and her friends.

800th Operation Military Pets Grant!

November 16, 2016August 28, 2019

by SPCAI Staff

By Emma Koeniger, SPCAI Staff

November is a month of celebration for all of us here at SPCA International because we distributed our 800^th Operation Military Pets (OMP) grant this month. In 2013, SPCA International recognized that shelters around military bases in the U.S. and all over the world were experiencing high surrender rates. Upon further research we identified that many military families were forced to surrender their beloved furry family members when they were unable to afford the high costs of transporting them to their next duty station when receiving Permanent Change of Station orders. Starting in April of 2013 SPCA International gave its first OMP grant to a family with 2 dogs traveling from California to Germany and by the end of the year this new program had helped 121 families (39 cats, 161 dogs and 1 horse) stay together.

As word of this program spread, need grew and by 2015, SPCAI set a higher goal of distributing at least $15,000.00 in grants each month to military families in need of help with pet transportation costs. We have assisted families moving to South Korea, Australia, Bahrain, South Africa and Norway just to name a few. These 800 families have been comprised of 208 cats, 993 dogs, 1 bunny, 3 horses and 1 bird. SPCA International will continue to help even more amazing military families in the coming year!

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Pet

November 16, 2016October 27, 2020

Bowsers Bed

Recommended by Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

If there’s one thing Lilah loves more than anything, especially as we get into these cold winter months in NY, it’s her Bowsers bed. The day I brought it home she took one look, climbed in and passed out! She loves it because it’s so cozy, and I love it because it’s durable and machine washable. I used to buy less expensive beds and replace them every six months or so, but we’ve had her Bowsers bed for two years and will for many more to come.

Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree

Recommended by Stephanie Scott, Director of Communications

Cats need stimulation! Food puzzles are a great way to challenge their minds and senses while keeping them from overeating. This Food Tree will be under our tree on Christmas morning with a tag labeled “To Blueberry. With love from, Santa.” For more information about food puzzles on the market and difficulty ratings visit this wonderful site dedicated to the topic: Food Puzzles for Cats. This site has a section on Wet Food Puzzles and how to make your own food puzzle at home with readily available supplies.

Whack-a-Mouse Toy

Recommended by Anne Abbot, Development and Donor Services Manager

If there is one thing my cat Charlie loves it’s his Whack-a-Mouse toy. It’s fun for him to try and guess which hole the mouse will pop out of next, and when it does poke through one of the holes he quickly tries to catch it. It’s endless fun for the both of us!

Chuck It Classic

Recommend by Lori Kalef, Program Manager

My dogs love a good game of catch and nothing beats the Chuck It Classic. It gets the job done far better than any strong throwing arm can muster. It wears out your pooches in less time and boy is it fun to watch them run, run, run. Sometimes I wonder if I like this toy better than they do!

Fluff and Tuff

Emma Koeniger, Executive Assistant

I cannot count the amount of toys I used purchase and inevitably throw away after a few weeks because my dog Kuma has ripped them up beyond repair. Thankfully we found Fluff & Tuff. These toys are not only adorable, but they can take a beating. Kuma has had his for the last few years and will probably un-wrap the Holiday Gator this year.

Getting Down With Down Alternatives

November 16, 2016August 28, 2019

by SPCAI Staff

By Lori Kalef, SPCAI Staff

There is nothing warm and cozy about cuddling with a blanket or wearing a jacket made from down.

While not every company uses the 'live plucking' method, a very large percentage does, the better part originating from China (80%). The typical process of plucking feathers is excruciatingly painful for geese and ducks. The birds are live-plucked for the first time at about ten weeks old, and are plucked again four to six times a year until they are sent to slaughter at about four years old. The workers hoist them up by their necks, their legs get tied, and their feathers are pulled out in large chunks in a process that the industry refers to as "ripping"; the birds struggle and panic, sometimes even breaking limbs in an attempt to escape.

Luckily you can help eradicate this trade by not purchasing anything made from down and in this day and age there are so many warm and stylish alternatives! One of the most common down alternatives is the use of blown fibers and fiber balls. These fibers are blown inside the garment in a very similar manner to how down feathers are added. These down alternatives provide an entirely similar degree of softness and warmth similar as that of down. You often can’t tell the difference, and you might even prefer the alternative in a blind test.

One stand-out down alternative brand called “Save the Duck” is a smart and ethical company that looks to the future, not just to capture the new trends, but to strive for a shared objective: living in a totally animal-cruelty-free world. Their products are 100% animal free and do not utilize feathers, leather, hide or fur.

On Outside Online you can find a comprehensive list of down alternative outerwear, check out it out!

Confronting Animal Abusers

October 27, 2016August 28, 2019

by SPCAI Staff

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

Oana and Alexandra, mother and daughter, run an animal shelter in Romania along with their family members and a few volunteers. They are no strangers to the realities of life for a stray dog in their country. They have committed their entire lives and a majority of their resources to saving animals.

Oana was walking through the village one day and heard a dog screaming in pain. When she went to see what was happening, she found a small brown and white dog being beaten by a man with a belt and a bat. When she ran toward him, ordering him to stop, he told her the dog had attacked his ducks and it was his dog anyway so he could do what he wanted. This poor girl had been starving. Her survival instincts had kicked in; she was just looking for a meal to stay alive.

It was easy to see that this little dog was suffering greatly and bleeding profusely from her injuries, so Oana called the police to report his actions and the suffering animal. When the police arrived the situation was clear, the dog was confiscated from her owner and surrendered to Oana’s care. Thanks to her clear thinking, she was able to save this dog, now known as Olivia.

However, the story does not end there. The man received a fine for animal abuse, but in retribution he filed a criminal complaint against Oana for entering his yard. Now, this good Samaritan who saved a life will have to pay a lawyer to defend her actions. As the case makes its way through the system, we are left to reflect on what could have been done differently to avoid this situation. The answer? Nothing.

Oana made the right decision, albeit a tough one at the time, to call the police and report this man for cruelty. Because of her quick thinking, she was able to legally take Olivia into safety and see justice in the form of a fine (not a steep enough punishment in our eyes). We hope that the authorities will see that Oana did what was necessary to save a life in these extenuating circumstances and rule in her favor. While this is a frustrating lesson, it is a great reminder that we have a long way to go in increasing animal abuse penalties around the world.

We are so proud to support Sava’s Safe Haven and their incredible work for all animals, including Olivia who has made a full recovery and will soon be available for adoption. Visit Sava Safe Haven’s to read more about their work and adoptable animals: http://www.savasafehaven.com

Breed Specific Legislation: What is it?

October 6, 2016August 28, 2019

by SPCAI Staff

By Meredith Ayan, Executive Director

Many people have followed the news out of Montreal recently, where the city council ruled to pass “Breed Specific Legislation” or “BSL”. This ruling states the following:

Any dog resembling a pit bull is now illegal to adopt or purchase.
All pit-bull type dogs must be muzzled when in their yard or out on walks.
Families must pay a fee for a permit ($150) to keep the dogs they already own.

The breeds affected by this group are: Staffordshire bull terriers, American pit bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, any mix with these breeds and any dog that presents characteristics of one of these breeds.

So what’s the problem?
The guidelines of the law are so vague they extend to any type of dogs with “pit-bull” like characteristics. Visual breed recognition is entirely subjective and notoriously unreliable. Family dogs with no history of aggression or behavioral problems are subject to all of the restrictions above. For those that cannot afford the permit, they are forced to surrender their beloved family member to a shelter, knowing they have no chance of being adopted or re-homed under this new law. Can you imagine condemning your best friend to death?

The CDC has declared BSL to be an ineffective measure for protecting the public. Instead, they found focusing on responsible pet ownership and educating children and the public about bite prevention to be a more effective tool. We encourage every parent to educate their children on how to safely and respectfully interact with all animals.

Currently, a judge has ordered a delay of the ban, and a longer-term suspension of the by-law is being sought from the Quebec Superior Court. We hope Montreal will see that they are on the wrong side of history, and repeal this by-law quickly and in its entirety.

A Miraculous Recovery for Victoria

October 6, 2016January 20, 2020

by SPCAI Staff

By SPCA International Staff In August the SPCAI team was on location in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, promoting adoptions and working to protect animals displaced by the Olympic Games sites. This is where we met Victoria, an incredibly sweet dog who had endured unspeakable cruelty. After being starved and burned, Victoria and 13 other dogs were callously abandoned and left for dead. A “community caretaker” found these 14 abused dogs and brought them to a local vet clinic, where our team met the emaciated and burned dog named Victoria. Although their situation seemed dire, our team noticed an unwavering will to live in Victoria and her friends. We reached out to our supporters for help because all the extensive veterinary care Victoria and her friends needed before they would be ready to go onto forever homes. Without a second thought hundreds of our supporters contributed to help for these 14 dogs heal. Thanks to that support, just over 1 month later Victoria is running around and wagging her tail. If she isn’t getting a pat on the head or a belly rub she starts crying for more attention. She has put on weight and is a completely different dog than the trembling dog we met over a month ago. All of us here at SPCA International cannot say thank you enough to everyone who showed their support. None of this would have been possible with out you! Victoria and the other 13 dogs are well on the road to recovery. Victoria’s story won’t end here; she still has a few more medical treatments before she crosses the finish line and is able to start looking for her forever home. If you are interested in adopting Victoria or one of her 13 friends please contact our partners at Oito Vitas ([email protected]) for more information.