Nowzad Dogs

Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine, has been nominated for a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Daily Mirror and RSPCA Animal Hero Awards.

Sergeant Farthing became aware of the animal crisis while stationed in Afghanistan six years ago after breaking up a dogfight – which is a common “sport” in the local villages.  He was befriended by an injured dog, who followed him back to his compound. He named him after the nearby village, Nowzad – and became a friend for Pen and his fellow marines.

Nowzad was soon joined by other strays seeking food and shelter and Pen realised they would need somewhere to go after the troops had left.  That’s when Pen founded the charity Nowzad Dogs, and funds were raised to start redeploying the soldiers’ dogs and cats.

Pen set up Afghanistan’s first official animal rescue centre. He was responsible for bringing more than 500 strays out of the war zone. Now the charity has built the first official home for strays in the country, near Kabul, with housing for more than 100 dogs and a cattery.

They have set up a clinic as well as training local vets, educating local people and neutering animals.

Pen said: “Dog fighting is sadly a national sport in Afghanistan and when we broke up a fight I found myself befriended by Nowzad.

“Lots of people deal with stress in different ways and for me in Helmand Province being with him helped me get through.

“After six months I knew I couldn’t leave him behind.”

Nowzad was flown back to the UK to be followed by Tali, who touched the marine by bringing her puppies, one by one, into the compound for shelter. 

The pair still live with Pen and his family, in Tiverton, Devon. Following his retirement from service, Pen and fellow former soldier Louise Hastie, 37, went back to Kabul to work with a team of local workers and volunteers to raise money and awareness of the plight of the Afghan strays.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/animal-hero-awards-2013-former-2302239#ixzz2k0GwVQgH

Thank you Pen Farthing – your heart was touched and you did something about it.

May’s comment: Nowzad Dogs is a registered charity (1119185) and Sara Abbott, animal portrait painter is supporting Nowzad. When anyone ordering a portrait of a dog before the end of March 2014, she will donate £100 of her fee to support the work they do.