This year, SPCA International is turning 20, and we have so much to celebrate. For the past two decades, we have worked to protect animals, support communities, and reunite people with the pets they love. None of it would have been possible without you.
In May 2006, we began as a small group of animal lovers with a big dream. We wanted to build a global network that would support local animal groups and keep animals safe. From the very beginning, we have focused on helping shelters grow, sharing resources, and creating programs that make a real difference for animals around the world.
In 2007, we launched our first program. It was called Shelter of the Week, and today it is known as the Shelter Support Program. We started by giving $1,000 grants to small shelters so they could improve their spaces, expand spay and neuter efforts, and reduce euthanasia. In that first year, we gave $16,000 to 16 shelters. To date, we have given more than $10 million in grants, helping hundreds of shelters around the world. It has been incredible to watch this program grow and to build such strong partnerships along the way.
That same year, we got a message that changed everything. A sergeant on deployment in Baghdad asked for help bringing home a stray dog he had befriended. That dog, Charlie, became the inspiration for our Patriot Pets program.
We launched the program in 2008, with Charlie as our very first Patriot Pet. Our goal was simple. Help bring the pets of deployed service members to safety and reunite them with their families.
Through this program, we provide veterinary care, arrange travel, and cover the costs to bring these animals home. What started as one rescue has grown into a global effort. Last year, we reunited 121 animals with their families from 13 countries. To date, we’ve reunited more than 1,600 animals with their beloved service members.
We have always believed that helping animals is most effective when we work together. This belief inspired us to start our Veterinary Aid program. Through this program, we send medical supplies to shelters and rescue groups, often in remote or under-resourced places. By providing these supplies, we help local teams continue their lifesaving work. In 2009, we sent about $1.9 million in supplies to two countries. Last year, we sent over $10 million in supplies to twelve countries, bringing our grand total to over $100 million in supplies since the inception of the program. These supplies have supported vaccinations, helped during disasters, and given shelters what they need to care for animals every day.
In 2024, we started one of our newest programs, PAWsitive Recovery. This program helps people facing addiction, trauma, or abuse so they do not have to choose between getting help and keeping their pets. We offer temporary foster care and pet visits, allowing people to focus on healing while knowing their animals are safe. In a short time, we have already helped 151 people and their pets. The impact keeps growing, and we look forward to helping even more lives.
Looking back over the past 20 years, one thing stands out: we could not have done any of this without you. Your support has allowed us to help animals worldwide, support shelters in need, and bring comfort and hope to so many people.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
We are proud of all we have achieved together, and we look forward to seeing what the next 20 years will bring.