6 min read
What happens to “backyard” dogs on Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays? For the thousands of animals who are chained or penned outside 24/7 in all weather extremes, holidays were just another lonely day until PETA stepped in. PETA’s team of Community Animal Project fieldworkers help animals in need, whether they’re in a local backyard, recovering from Hurricane Helene, or all the way in Mexico.
PETA’s Lifesaving 2024 Wrap-Up: Doghouse Deliveries, Disaster Relief, and More!
We Provided Free Spay/Neuter Surgeries to Thousands of Dogs and Cats
Our mobile spay/neuter clinics staff sterilized 2,903 animals from October through December 2024. Cohan the dog and Minni the cat were among the 197 animals PETA’s fieldworkers transported for free to and from their no-cost spay/neuter appointments.
We also performed emergency spay surgery for sweet pup Khloe, who had pyometra, a potentially life-threatening uterine infection.
Khloe was one of 24 dogs and cats who received an emergency lifesaving pyometra spay surgery from PETA because their guardians couldn’t afford this service at a private practice, where estimates run as high as $5,000.
We also treated this cat Angel who was found orphaned and underweight outside. We kept her comfortable until she was big and healthy enough for our veterinarian to remove her injured eye during her spay surgery, all at no cost to her grateful guardian.
We Improved the Lives of Dogs Like Dino, Who Are Forced to Live Outside 24/7
Dino’s owners kept him on a short, heavy chain outside without protection from the elements in all weather extremes.
Thankfully, PETA fieldworkers were able to provide loveable Dino with a sturdy wooden doghouse and a 15-foot lightweight tie-out to replace his chain. Dino was one of the 32 dogs kept outdoors 24/7 to whom we delivered custom-built, insulated doghouse.
We Helped These Animals in Need
One of the 567 requests for assistance that PETA received last quarter was for Sonja, a dog who was suffering from hair loss and painful, inflamed skin.
Our medical staff assessed and treated her skin, and within a few months, her fur grew back, and she was healthy enough for us to spay.
We also trimmed chihuahua mix BJ’s overgrown nails at the request of his elderly guardian. His family was among the 291 guardians we assisted in keeping and caring for their animal companions this holiday season.
Wandra walked into PETA’s animal shelter in Norfolk without an appointment, looking for help for her senior dog, Bear, who appeared to be suffering from organ failure after a stroke. We had an honest and empathetic discussion about her options, and Wandra chose to let her beloved companion go and end his suffering. Wandra allowed us to photograph her and Bear to share their story. PETA’s animal shelter gave Bear the dignity of a peaceful death surrounded by family.
Beau was among the 148 animals we euthanized at no cost to families who couldn’t afford to pay for this vital service at a private veterinary clinic. His guardian was one of the 1,017 constituent families who filled out postcards asking their state legislators to safeguard our ability to offer free end-of-life relief—a service that only PETA’s animal shelter provides for free in the region.
Hurricane Helene Disaster Relief
We filled a truck with donated supplies and drove seven hours each way to deliver them to a public shelter in western North Carolina to help residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
PETA’s Mission Goes Abroad
We worked with local organizations to hold spay/neuter events for underserved communities in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Since we began these programs, we have sterilized more than 4,100 animals in Cancún and 600 in San Juan.
PETA Fieldworkers Gave These Dogs and Cats a Chance at Adoption
PETA found homes for Abi, Mr. Baker, Grappa, and Toodles, among others, this holiday season.
Among the 105 animal companions we transferred to our shelter partners for a chance at adoption were two hound puppies we found confined to a padlocked wire crate outdoors and four cattle dog puppies previously kept in a hazardous, dirty pen.
We also secured custody of Diamond, who spent months tethered and isolated outside.
We transferred her to the Chesapeake Humane Society, and Diamond was quickly adopted!
How You Can Help Animals Like Dino and Diamond
Support PETA fieldworkers’ vital work in caring for “backyard dogs” with a generous donation. You can also advocate for tethering bans in your community, joining thousands of other caring individuals across the U.S., and work with elected representatives to pass ordinances that ban or restrict chaining. To get started, see current legislation on tethering dogs in your community.
Dogs should never be left outside unattended. However, when they’re outside and deprived of access to water, food, or shelter, the situation becomes an emergency—and local authorities should be contacted immediately. If they’re unresponsive, contact PETA for help. Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may face criminal charges. Dogs’ well-being—even their lives—could depend on you.
