Afghan animals saved by British troops during evacuation
Afghan animals have been rescued by British troops during the British evacuation of the country.
According to the British newspaper The Daily Mail, around 170 dogs and cats were saved, and as Pen Farthing stated, nearly all have loving homes already lined up.
Farthing is a former marine and the founder of the rescue organization Nowzad Dogs, as well as the author of three books, the excellent One Dog at a Time: Saving the Strays of Helmand – an Inspiring True Story, its sequel No Place Like Home: A New Beginning with the Dogs of Afghanistan, and Wylie: The Brave Street Dog who Never Gave Up, about one of his rescues who went on to win Dog of the Year at the Crufts 2014 Scrufts rescue dog show.
From the airport in the capital city of Kabul, the pets went to Uzbekistan before landing in London over the weekend.
Afghan animals were rescued over the weekend by British troops during the military evacuation.
‘We only had an hour to put the animals in in Kabul,” Farthing told The Daily Mail. “Some American troops on the airfield said ‘are you the dog guy?’, and they dropped everything to help. The guys all came around, people who were off duty came over, and said what can we do to help. And within one hour we had the animals all on board.”
Farthing praised the unusual spirit of cooperation between the army and the marines (part of the navy).
“It was amazing to be back in that fold of military people who actually cared, and are passionate about the Afghans and their plight,” Farthing continued.
About five cats died out of 70 during the journey due to the stress of the trek and the effects of tear gas, among other factors, though it seems that all hundred or so dogs made it safely.
A team of veterinarians met the Afghan animals at the Heathrow Airport in London upon landing for initial checkups.
Of the Nowzad Dogs Afghan human staff, 25 people and 46 dependents will likely re-settle in the UK.
Next. Dog-Eared Reads: One Dog at a Time reviewed. dark
The Oval Pawffice pets have made this month’s charity efforts benefitting Afghan animals as well.