Archives: Press

SPCAI Gives $25,000 to Mission K9

Houston Non-Profit will purchase RV To Support Retired Hero Dogs

New York, NY (November 5, 2019) – SPCA International (SPCAI), gave a donation of $25,000 to Mission K9 in Houston, Texas this week to assist with the purchase of an RV that will help carry out their work with “Hero Dogs,” retired working dogs from military or law enforcement.

Mission K9 has been faced with a major obstacle with transporting retired working dogs in the United States, as most airlines no longer accept dogs of this size as cargo. Because of this, they have been forced to send their team out in rental vans, which is extremely inefficient and very expensive. Other difficulties include finding hotels that will accept dogs along the way, as well as the laborious event of loading dog crates in and out of the van for each potty break.  

To meet these challenges, Mission K9 decided to purchase an RV that can be used to transport the Hero Dogs and serve as a replacement for hotels. The 31ft Winnebago Spirit RV will hold 4 or more dogs in crates, a team of up to three people, and no crates will need to be moved to break the dogs out for the night. This will serve as much more efficient use of time and money for the organization. Mission K9 has calculated the cost savings alone will be in excess of $2000 per month considering the number of transports.

“We are proud to support Mission K9 in helping these incredible animals that aided those who put their lives on the line each day,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International.

About SPCA International:

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

About Mission K9:

Mission K9 provides assistance and support for Working Dogs worldwide. Our organization’s purpose for existence is to serve retiring and retired Military Working Dogs, Contract Working Dogs, and other Dogs who Serve as they may fit into our mission and scope. To Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity.

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SPCA International Awards $100,000 Grant to Beirut Animal Shelter

Funds will help build the most innovative shelter facility in Lebanon

New York, NY (September 3, 2019) – This week, SPCA International (SPCAI) will award its largest grant in the organization’s history to Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA) in support of BETA’s capital campaign to build a pioneering shelter in Lebanon’s biggest city.

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. BETA is currently caring for over 800 homeless dogs and cats.

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.

SPCA International has been partnering with BETA since 2016. This grant in the amount of $100,000 is the largest SPCAI has ever awarded.

“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 grant will be announced at BETA’s annual fundraising gala in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 5th, 2019. SPCA International’s team will be in attendance to present the award during the event.

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. So far in 2019, SPCAI has awarded 48 grants and more than $250,000. Since 2007, SPCAI has assisted animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world.

For more information about the gala or to attend, please visit: https://betadonations.com/collections/frontpage/products/beta-s-13th-annual-gala-dinner-at-sursock-palace (Press passes available upon request.)

About SPCA International:

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal advocates worldwide.

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SPCA International Awards 48 Animal Rescue Groups Worldwide Grants Totaling $250,000+ So Far in 2019

Grants will fund like-minded programs and organizations

New York, NY (August 28, 2019) – SPCA International (SPCAI) is pleased to announce the recipients of grant funding awarded by the organization in the past few months that will provide support to important programs and improve the safety and well-being of animals around the globe.

The funding is distributed through SPCAI’s Shelter Support Fund which supports and partners with smaller animal welfare organizations domestically and worldwide to increase their impact. In 2019, SPCAI has awarded 48 grants and more than $250,000 so far. Since 2007, SPCAI has assisted animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world.

“We have helped many phenomenal groups so far in 2019 and we are looking forward to helping many more animal organizations in the remaining months of the year,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International. “We are proud to help these deserving organizations increase their reach and make the world a better place for animals.”

The grant program focuses on smaller shelters and rescue groups with little to no donor base. SPCAI funding allows these organizations to rescue, treat, vaccinate, sterilize and home more animals.

The latest recipients are:

CARA (Philippines); Unidad de Proteccion Animal (Dominican Republic); Leon County Humane Society (Florida); Patricia Blanco Animal Foundation (Florida); Shabnam Shelter (British Columbia); Dubuque Regional Humane Society (Iowa); Dog Rescue Romania (Romania); PAWS of Kurdistan (Iraq); SOS Galgos (Spain); Sava’s Safe Haven (Romania); SARA (Syria); Furever Rescue Foster Home (Egypt); Rocket Dog (California); Spay Panama (Panama); Oito Vidas (Brazil); IAPWA (UK); Ravi Foundation (Pakistan); Red de Apoyo Canino (Venezuela); Libearty Bear Sanctuary (Romania); One World Actors Productions – Animal Rescues (France); Help Animals – Cat Shelter Jessica (Serbia); Furget-me-not Rescue (Thailand); TerrAnimal (Ecuador); KOARP (Iraq); Save Animals (Democratic Republic of Congo); Ruff Tales Rescue (Washington); Sibanye Animal Welfare and Conservancy Trust (Zimbabwe); Cleary Veg Inc. (Washington); Asociacion Humanitaria Para la Proteccion Animal (Costa Rica); Sneha’s Care (Nepal); SPCA L’Ouest De L’ile (Québec); Healing Animal SCARS (Nova Scotia); Sunshine Kitty Rescue and Adoptions (Newfoundland); Clean Futures Fund (Michigan); Tanzania Animal Welfare Society (Tanzania); Tanzania Animal Protection Organization (Tanzania); Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Lebanon); Bo Ai Animal Protection Centre of Guagyuan (China); K9 Global Rescue (Colorado); Sighthound Sanctuary & Animal Services (Oregon); Corner Brook Scaredy Cat Rescue (Newfoundland); Korean K9 Rescue (New York); Lawrence County Humane Society (Kentucky).

For more information on these organizations please visit: https://www.spcai.org/get-involved/shelter-support-fund/shelter-list/

About SPCA International:

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

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SPCA International Awards Grant to Lawrence County Humane Society

Will fund a spay and neuter program for low income pet owners

New York, NY (August 7, 2019) – SPCA International (SPCAI) announced today a grant to the Lawrence County Humane Society (LCHS) in Kentucky for their Low Income Spay/Neuter Assistance Program and Trap, Neuter, Return program.  

The funding is distributed through SPCAI’s Shelter Support Fund which supports and partners with smaller animal welfare organizations domestically and worldwide to increase their impact. In 2019, SPCAI has awarded 48 grants and more than $250,000 so far. Since 2007, SPCAI has assisted animal shelters and rescue groups in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world.

“We are so proud to assist with the great work that is being done by Lawrence County Humane Society,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director, SPCA International. “We’re confident this grant will increase spay and neuter rates and improve the overall health of the animal population LCHS serves.”

Founded in 1990, Lawrence County Humane Society works in a geographically large county in Eastern Kentucky. In addition, they own and operate the only animal shelter (Open Arms Animal Shelter) in the county and provide a vital service to an otherwise economically challenged area. The purpose of the Humane Society is to prevent cruelty, relieve suffering, and extend humane education on behalf of the numerous abandoned, abused, and/or neglected animals in the area.

The Low Income Cat Spay/Neuter Assistance Program was initiated in 2016 through receipt of a small start-up grant. But a concerted effort was put forth by volunteers to raise more money through private resources which allowed an additional 46 personal pets to be provided spay/neuter surgery. With a combined effort of private fundraising and grants, the Low Income Cat Spay/Neuter Assistance Program has assisted countless families on fixed incomes to get their felines spayed/neutered. This initiative not only ensures that countless animals are fixed but will help to keep these personal pets in their homes (often with the elderly or infirmed) instead of being brought to shelters. In addition, this initiative has significantly reduced the number of unwanted litters born each year. As of June 2019, over 1,000 personal pets and free roaming community cats have received the much needed spay/neuter surgery through LCHS services.

About SPCA International:

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads lifesaving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

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SPCA INTERNATIONAL AND CLEAN FUTURES FUND RETURN TO DOGS OF CHERNOBYL FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

MEDIA RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MAY 8TH 2019

SPCA INTERNATIONAL AND CLEAN FUTURES FUND RETURN TO DOGS OF CHERNOBYL FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR

BATH, MI – This week the Clean Futures Fund (CFF), a U.S. non-profit organization, and SPCA International (SPCAI) are pleased to announce that they will be returning to Chernobyl in June for an intensive three-week project to spay, neuter and vaccinate the stray dogs that call the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone home.

Since 2017, with the help of local residents and workers, volunteers from around the world, SPCAI and other organizations, descendants of abandoned pets from the 1986 evacuation that now call the nuclear power plant and 30-kilometer exclusion zone home, have received food, vaccinations, sterilizations and essential medical care from CFF. SPCAI has been the primary source of financial support for the Dogs of Chernobyl project since the beginning. This year SPCAI continues its strong support with a matching gift pledge to the 2019 Dogs of Chernobyl campaign of up to $40,000.

“SPCA International is glad to support the incredible Dogs of Chernobyl project for the third year in a row. This population of dogs has been ignored and left to suffer for over 30 years, but thanks to this work that has finally changed. This project provides critical life-saving veterinary treatment that reduces their suffering and prolongs their lives. We hope our matching grant spurs CFF donors into action because it is only with their help that we can deliver double the impact,” said Meredith Ayan, Executive Director of SPCA International.

The Dogs of Chernobyl are exposed to rabies by infected animals in the exclusion zone and by attacks from the rabid wolf population, which presents a human health safety issue. Despite this danger, the Chernobyl workers have taken it upon themselves to share their own limited food with these animals. CFF has worked with SPCAI and other partners like Nestle Purina to provide food, medication and vaccinations to the dogs to mitigate the threat to residents and alleviate the financial burden of caring for the animals from the workers.

“We went to Chernobyl to help the workers and their families that are experiencing health problems related to the nuclear accident,” explained Lucas Hixson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Clean Futures Fund. “We found that the large population of stray dogs carrying rabies not only presented a human health threat, but also that the dogs were being euthanized in an attempt to mitigate that threat. We committed to providing a humane solution to the rabies threat and overpopulation while reducing the threat to human health, and our program has successfully treated over 1,000 stray dogs over the last three years. We are grateful for the support SPCAI has shown Dogs of Chernobyl each year that we return to vaccinate and sterilize the dog population.”

The third annual spay, neuter and vaccination operation will take place in June, overseen by a team of Ukrainian veterinarians with volunteer veterinarians from the United States and Europe. Supporters of the Dogs of Chernobyl can have their donation matched dollar for dollar by contributing

at www.cleanfutures.org. In addition to the matching gift opportunity, the first 200 donors will be eligible for the limited-edition Dogs of Chernobyl challenge coin or CFF apparel.

About Clean Futures Fund

CFF identifies and finances humanitarian aid projects and the exchange of information and experiences from affected communities in order to support long-term remedial activities around the world. The Fund is dedicated to strengthening international relations and advancing the United States as a cornerstone of humanitarian aid and a contributing member of the global community.

About SPCA International

SPCA International (https://www.spcai.org/about-spcai/) is a global animal welfare organization with a mission that is simple, but vast: to advance the safety and well-being of animals. Through outreach, rescue and education programs SPCA International spearheads life-saving initiatives and assists grassroots animal activists worldwide.

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