November Impact
Paw-tner Spotlight: Titos
This month, we’re raising a glass to one of our Community Partners: Tito’s Vodka.
At Tito’s, “vodka for dog people” isn’t just a tagline - it’s how they helped make Saigon Loco, our biggest annual fundraiser, an unforgettable night. From keeping the drinks flowing to turning up the fun, they made the party one to remember.
Even better, every ticket to Saigon Loco gave a rescue dog something real:
✅ A bowl of food
✅ Life-saving vaccines
✅ Sterilisations preventing the number of stray dogs
Even better, Tito’s matched the impact. That means every ticket sold = 2X the help, 2X the hope.
Here’s to Tito’s Vodka, helping us turn celebrations into real change for dogs in need.
Education in Action
It was a busy and exciting week for Mr. Donnie and Elizabeth! The student leaders from Action for Animals at BIS collaborated with Elizabeth to create a series of videos about pet ownership and rescue dogs. They invited local Vietnamese school students to watch the videos, play some fun games, and join a lively question-and-answer session. Mr. Donnie and Elizabeth were right in the middle of the action and had a fantastic time. A big thank you to the leaders of Action for Animals for inviting us.
“Its always great to be part of such positive student led activities. I always look forward to seeing the change that Action for Animals is championing”
The fun didn’t stop there! They also visited the International School Ho Chi Minh City primary campus, where Mr. Donnie was the star at the invitation of the grade 5 community leaders. Elizabeth gave a talk about Mr. Donnie, highlighting his special needs and life in a wheelchair, followed by another engaging Q&A session. By the end of the day, all 500+ students got a chance to pat Mr. Donnie and say thank you, making it a truly memorable visit.
Driving Change
A Gift That Drives Change: Celebrating the Heart of Our Mission
Sometimes the clearest reminders of why we do this work come from the people who quietly champion our mission every day. On Thursday, Mr. Donnie and Elizabeth visited one of our dedicated volunteers, Brenna, at her school - a surprise arranged by her students’ parents in honour of Teachers’ Day. What began as a simple gesture of appreciation grew into something more: a celebration of how one volunteer’s commitment can inspire an entire community.
In recognition of Brenna’s contributions, the parents raised an incredible 5 million VND, a heartfelt gift that reflects the impact she has made both in the classroom and within our organization. Their generosity doesn’t just honour Brenna; it reinforces the values at the core of our work - compassion, community, and shared responsibility.
Moments like this show what “driving change” truly looks like. It’s volunteers who give their time with heart, and communities who rally behind them. Our mission grows stronger because people like Brenna carry it with them wherever they go.
Here’s to our volunteers - the true engine of change.
Insight Spotlight
Why We Co-Hosted a Women’s Menstrual Health Panel
At first glance, menstrual health and animal rescue may seem unrelated - but to us, they’re deeply connected. The wellbeing of the people who care, lead, volunteer, and live in our community directly shapes the world our dogs grow up in. Hosting this panel was a natural extension of our values and our commitment to building a thriving, compassionate community.
We’re a women-led organisation, and wellbeing shapes our ability to rescue and lead.
As a team of women, we feel firsthand how energy, balance, and health influence the way we show up every day. Rescue work is demanding, and when women understand and support their own wellbeing, our whole organisation becomes stronger, more grounded, and more effective. Investing in women’s health is investing in the people who make our mission possible.
We’re more than a shelter; we’re a compassionate community that believes in holistic advocacy.
Our work extends beyond caring for dogs. We’re part of a wider ecosystem built on empathy, connection, and support - for animals and for people. Championing menstrual health is one way we advocate for a community where everyone can thrive. Compassion doesn’t stop at the kennel door; it includes the health and dignity of every person who touches our mission.
Breaking ecosystem stigmas requires educated, empowered, and informed communities.
Real change happens when conversations become normalised. By creating space to learn about women’s health, we help build a community that is more open, understanding, and resilient. Healthy, informed communities are better for everyone - including the animals who grow, live, and form bonds within them. Education is how we move from compassion to meaningful, lasting change.
Co-hosting a menstrual health panel wasn’t a step away from our mission - it was a step deeper into it. When we support the wellbeing of our team, the people around us, and the community we all share, we create a stronger foundation for compassion in every direction. Healthy women, healthy communities, and healthy animals are all connected - and nurturing one helps all of them flourish.
Looking Ahead
With the holiday season just around the corner, we’re excited for all the festive fun ahead - from school Christmas markets to the launch of our new merchandise. Behind the scenes, our team is also busy planning for 2026, refining strategies, and setting goals to make the coming year even more impactful. It’s an exciting time to celebrate what’s ahead while keeping our focus on creating brighter futures for the dogs and communities we serve.