OPERATION ARK

The speed at which the Taliban are taking over Afghanistan is overwhelming, so to try and comprehend the fear and panic that those on the ground must be going through is unbearable. Nowzad Rescue have launched an urgent appeal, Operation Ark, which aims to get 98 dogs, 88 cats and 25 staff members and their immediate family out of Kabul and to safety.

Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marines commando and founder of the Nowzad Dogs charity, posted a live video on his Instagram explaining the situation and pleading for support to help them raise $200,000 to evacuate them all on a chartered cargo plane. Emotionally he explained that some of the animals would have to be put to sleep, some would have to be released, and they would have to leave behind their rescued donkeys in capable hands. But even so, that leaves 200+ Nowzad Rescue lives, animal and human, that can be, should be, and have to be saved.

Pen stated in his video he needs to make this happen in 72 hours. That means there are just over two days left to support his plea. He won’t leave his team behind knowing that there’s no life there for them any more and has appealed to supporters to contact local MPs and Boris Johnson by all means possible to fight for their relocation. For years this organisation have been a frontline animal rescue providing not only vet care and rehoming support, but also education locally.

If you can donate any amount all, this is the link – https://www.nowzad.com/donate/thanks

This post isn’t to create a conversation about politics, it to raise awareness, spread the word, help raise funds and above all, hammer the point home that all life is worth saving. If watching the news from the comfort of your home is making you feel powerless right now, this is something you can do. Donate, share, tell your neighbour. This is a window of opportunity for Nowzad Rescue and it will quickly disappear.

Nowzad Rescue – Frontline animal welfare in Afghanistan! US 501c3 & UK Reg Charity. Saving those with no voice but yours🐾

May’s comment: There is no time to craft our own write up but to share this post from @evewoof to spread the word and help to raise the $200,000 to begin the evacuation of lives for humans and animals from Afghanistan.

Pen launched Nowzad in 2006 after adopting a stray dog while serving in Helmand province. Over the years, they have touched so many lives and have done so much for the soldiers stationed there – helping to bring home and reunite the dogs who have been companions of the soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

We first learnt about Nowzad Rescue and it was an honour to have met Pen Farthing and Nowzad at Crufts in 2013. Now they need our help more than ever.