Category: Stray Animals

(AU) Animal shelters struggle with influx of surrendered pets, as owners face cost of living pressure

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-13/nt-darwin-animal-shelters-see-influx-surrendered-pets/105350000

13.06.2025

RSPCA rescue animal, Spotty, is one of hundreds of pets under the Darwin shelter’s care. (ABC News: Jayden O’Neill)

Bernadette Relos and husband, Nathan Calverley, are self-described animal lovers who live in a bustling house in Darwin’s outskirts suburb of Berrimah.

They have two cats and a one-year-old puppy, which they recently adopted from a shelter.

The South Australian couple who moved to the Top End for work said their “fur babies” brought chaos and destruction, but much-needed colour to their lives.

“They bring life to the household … you can be lonely, and one of the cats will jump on you, and then you’re not lonely anymore,” Mr Calverley said.

“You could walk in the front door, and everyone doesn’t say a word, but the dog will come running … and start licking you and saying hello.”

Ms Relos said they decided to adopt because they wanted pets that would grow up with their young family.

But as some are choosing to bring furry friends into their forever homes, animal shelters are seeing the opposite.

Shelters being pushed to breaking point

Charles Giliam, the Northern Territory’s RSPCA operations manager, said there had been an increasing number of surrendered pets due to people experiencing financial difficulties.

He said most pets being dropped on shelter doorsteps were mixed breeds, weighing around 20 to 30 kilograms, with backyard breeding worsening the situation.

“[People] bring pets to us that are often in need of veterinary treatment … and say, ‘We just don’t have the money’,” he said.

The RSPCA estimates most dog owners spend an average of $25,000 on their pet during its lifetime, while cat owners spend $21,000 on average.

The charity says that within the first year of cat ownership, people could face up to $3,500 of expenses on food, desexing, grooming, bedding, toys and treats.

Mr Giliam said the influx of surrendered pets was creating significant challenges for shelters.

“We probably got about 15 to 20 people on our waiting list who are wanting to surrender … but we are chock-a-block full,” he said.

RSPCA national data showed around 81,000 pets were surrendered in the 2023/2024 financial year, with only 27,000 finding new homes.

David Neilson, a volunteer at the Darwin RSPCA shelter, said the increasing demand was leaving some volunteers “overwhelmed”.

“There are so many volunteers that are here through the week to walk the dogs and sit with the cats and we are not getting through everything … it makes it difficult,” he said.

Industry voices want to see change

While many in the rescue sector are worried about the growing crisis, there are also concerns the NT’s animal rights laws are ineffective.

Unlike most other Australian jurisdictions, the NT does not have a formal dog breeder licensing scheme, however breeders are still expected to meet standards of care under the Animal Protection Act.

Melissa Purick, a licensed dachshund breeder, said it was “frustrating” to see people buy pets from unlicensed backyard breeders without considering the animal’s welfare.

“I would like to see that stopped to start with, where you can’t sell puppies at the markets or the side of the road,” she said.

Hannah Bohlin, an animal advocate, believes growing use of social media is glamorising pet ownership without highlighting its challenges.

She said if people adopted pets that were incompatible with their lifestyle, cost of living could become a “scapegoat” to surrender animals that were no longer valued.

She wants the NT to look at what other states and countries are doing to manage pet breeding and ownership.

“I would like to see a discussion around the possibility of introducing some kind of licence system [to own a pet],” she said.

“Some European countries do operate this kind of system to get a dog in the first place.”

The NT’s Agriculture and Fisheries Department, which oversees animal welfare, said a review of the Animal Protection Act was currently underway.

“The NT government takes animal welfare seriously and is committed to strengthening animal welfare laws,” a department spokesperson said.

(Sri Lanka) Animal cruelty still punishable by Rs.100 fine

Animal Welfare Coalition

https://www.dailymirror.lk/breaking-news/Animal-cruelty-still-punishable-by-Rs-100-fine/108-311404

12 June 2025 09:32 pm

Coalition (AWC) has raised concerns over the outdated legal framework governing animal cruelty offences in Sri Lanka, calling for swift legislative reforms to better protect animals.

According to Charuka Wickremesekera, an executive member of the AWC, the country’s current penalties for animal cruelty offences remain based on the Animal Cruelty Act of 1907, enforced through the Cruelty to Animals Ordinance. Under this ordinance, individuals found guilty of most animal cruelty offences can be fined up to 100 rupees, imprisoned for up to three months, or both. In cases involving the killing of an animal in an unnecessarily cruel manner, the maximum imprisonment term extends to six months.

Wickremesekera said that while the Sri Lanka Police continue to make efforts to tackle animal cruelty cases, the absence of robust, modern laws hinders their ability to impose adequate punishments and raise public awareness through legal action.

“It’s time to improve the legal system and protect animals better,” Wickremesekera said.

He also highlighted the growing role of social media in raising public consciousness about animal welfare issues. The sharing of videos exposing acts of animal abuse has not only discouraged such behaviour but also empowered the public to report incidents more readily.

“People now think several times before harming animals after seeing these videos online,” he said. “In the past, there may have been many cases of animal cruelty, but there were no proper organizations where people could complain. Now, many animal welfare groups receive a large number of complaints from the public.”

The AWC believes that alongside stronger laws, public engagement and awareness will play a critical role in eradicating animal cruelty in the country.

(ES) What’s up with Spain’s animal welfare law?

Published: 11 Jun 2025

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/06/11/whats-up-with-spains-animal-welfare-law/

One of 500 abandoned dogs at AID – SHIN in Mijas, ready for adoption. Credit: EWN

being of pets across the country but has ended up, in the eyes of many, worsening an already bad situation. Since its introduction, animal abandonment has only increased, and animal rights are worse than ever. 

Local management challenges, lack of consultation with professionals, and a perceived ideological bent: with more than 30 million pets in Spain, it was inevitable that a one-size-fits-all approach wasn’t going to work for everyone. One in three households owns at least one companion animal, and not everyone can afford the changes. In Spain, an estimated 6 million pets remain unregistered, posing potential public health risks. In 2023, 285,000 dogs and cats were abandoned, highlighting the need for stricter regulations. But at what financial cost?

The new law sets standards for pet ownership and treatment, including a ban on leaving pets alone for more than 72 hours (24 hours for dogs) and prohibiting their habitual confinement in spaces like terraces, balconies, storage rooms, or vehicles. Sales of dogs, cats, and ferrets are now restricted to authorised, licensed breeders, excluding some intermediaries and private individuals.

Breeds classified as potentially dangerous, such as Rottweilers, remain subject to strict handling rules, including licences, short leashes, and muzzles. Notably, exemptions exist for working animals, like the Spanish Legion’s goat, which can still parade on October 12, or mules and oxen in living nativity scenes, unless their owners register them as pets in the new mandatory pet registry.

Despite its intentions, the law faces hurdles that hurt. Councils are tasked with collecting stray and abandoned animals and providing 24-hour veterinary services, but many lack the funds and resources to comply. As well, local governments must manage feral cat colonies, requiring trained volunteers or staff to capture, vaccinate, deworm, sterilise, and return the cats – a costly mandate that many areas struggle to meet.

If a pet owner now wants help, they have to go to a vet. For many who already owned a pet from before the introduction of the law, vet prices are not an option. According to Fabienne Paques of AID – SHIN, an animal rescue in the Malaga Region with 500 abandoned dogs and 150 cats, ‘A dog needs a chip, and it needs a rabies shot. Before you could go to a hardware shop for that. Now, it costs a lot to go to a vet. Before it was €20, and now it’s €80. To get some dogs castrated or sterilised (as per the new law), it can cost up to €500. The new law considered pets things, items, not animals.’ The shelter has recently had an inordinate amount of pets abandoned at their gates. ‘People don’t know what to do with them. The new law brought a lot of negativity. They say it’s not true, but it’s an absolute disaster.’

Dilemma under new animal rights law of what to do with existing pets?

A few kilometres away in the Miralmonte urbanisation, neighbours are up in arms about one of their neighbours who has several macaws and dogs which appear to be breeding amongst themselves. According to the neighbours, the animals make a terrible noise, and their droppings are attracting rats. The owner at the centre of the situation used to have a pet shop in nearby Coín but has been stopped from selling animals from the store she inherited from her parents. So, now, unable to afford to put them down, she keeps the animals at home. She cannot sell the animals by law, and the local police are reluctant to do anything as they can see both sides of the argument.

Critics of the law, including Professor Christian Gortázar, argue the law lacks scientific grounding and was driven by ideological motives, potentially threatening livestock industries by overly humanising pets. They also claim that there in no provision for pet owners with less resources to cope with the new rules.

José Luis López-Schümmer, president of the Artemisan Foundation, notes the law’s inconsistency with European legislation, which excludes wildlife from welfare regulations. The law also exempts animals raised for food, scientific experiments, bullfighting, or hunting, countering claims that it severely impacts the economy.

A year and a half after its enactment, the law’s limited consensus, even among its proposing parties, and incomplete framework have hindered its full application. Its true long-term impact – positive or negative – remains to be seen, as further data and regulatory clarity are needed to assess this polarising legislation. What is certain, in 2025, is that the situation with the welfare of animals is nowhere near being improved.

Now, unable to buy a dog from a pet shop, ACE – SHIN have a broad selection just looking for a home. Check out their website as they can arrange adoptions in may countries around Europe.

https://ace-charity.org/en/over/

New £100k award to fund students’ animal welfare projects

https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/wellbeing-at-work/new-100k-award-to-fund-students-animal-welfare-projects


12 Jun 2025

Charity Worldwide Veterinary Service launches Global Veterinary Challenge Award with BVA to allow scholars to design bold and impactful international projects.

£100,000 award scheme to encourage students to devise big, bold and impactful international animal welfare projects was launched today (12 June).

WVS-organised sterilisation campaign in the Andes, Ecuador.

UK veterinary charity Worldwide Veterinary Service (WVS) and the BVA joined forces to launch the Global Veterinary Challenge Award.

As part of the scheme, launched as part of BVA Live in Birmingham, students will be encouraged and empowered to design a project that champions an international animal welfare issue, and win the cash to help its launch.

Solutions

Students are being encouraged to develop an innovative, sustainable solution to a pressing global animal welfare issue close to their hearts.

The Global Veterinary Challenge Panel will judge the entries, with the winning project allocated funding up to £100,000 and the successful team or individuals working alongside WVS to bring it to life.

To apply, students must submit a proposal for any species that champions a welfare need in an effective, scalable and sustainable way and any location worldwide.

Work together’

Chief executive and founder of WVS, Luke Gamble, said: “The profession is most powerful when we work together as team. Most of us have causes we care about and sometimes it is incredibly hard to find a way to champion them. This challenge solves that.

“The winning idea will not only have funding, but full support to drive forward a project that will make an impactful difference. I couldn’t be more excited to see what comes in – remember, anyone can do easy – applicants need to think bold and big.”

And BVA president Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “At the BVA, our members care passionately about supporting and enhancing animal welfare and for many, myself included, it’s what propelled us to join this fantastic profession.”

‘Outstanding opportunity’

She added: “The WVS Global Challenge Award represents an outstanding opportunity for vet students to dive straight in and deliver real world welfare change for animals across the globe, all before they’ve even graduated.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the project ideas as they come in and the incredible impact this award will have, for both animals but also the students taking part.”

Winners will be announced at the BVA Awards during BVA Live in June 2026. Students can visit the WVS website or email globalchallenge@wvs.org.uk

(ES – Almeria) Cuevas del Almanzora leads Almería’s animal welfare revolution

https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/06/12/cuevas-del-almanzora-leads-almerias-animal-welfare-revolution/

Published: 12 Jun 2025

The council has now approved an ambitious renovation project / Photo by Design Wala on Unsplash

The municipality of Cuevas del Almanzora continues its trailblazing approach to animal welfare, announcing a comprehensive transformation of its temporary dog shelter that promises to set new standards across Almería province.

Following their ground-breaking achievement as the first town in the Levante Almeriense region to establish a dedicated dog beach, the forward-thinking council has now approved an ambitious renovation project that will revolutionise conditions for abandoned canines awaiting new homes.

The extensive upgrade programme centres around creating a more humane and efficient environment through innovative infrastructure improvements. Key enhancements include the installation of automated water dispensers ensuring round-the-clock access to fresh, clean water – a crucial advancement for animal welfare standards.

The project encompasses a complete overhaul of flooring systems designed to simplify cleaning protocols and maintain optimal hygiene levels. Additionally, a state-of-the-art sandwich-panel roofing system will provide superior thermal insulation whilst incorporating an integrated rainwater collection system through strategic guttering placement.

Perhaps most significantly, the facility will feature an appealing outdoor recreational area complete with artificial grass, offering dogs essential space for exercise and social interaction – factors proven to improve adoption prospects.

Councillor María del Mar Rico, responsible for animal welfare initiatives, emphasised the council’s unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care standards. “These improvements reflect our commitment to treating every animal with dignity whilst facilitating successful rehoming,” she stated.

The transformation reinforces Cuevas del Almanzora’s position as a progressive leader in regional animal welfare policy.

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Morocco unveils policies it hopes bolster the care and management of stray dogs + Petition

https://apnews.com/article/morocco-stray-dogs-neuter-rabies-fifa-d8452e6aa0005e0cd71462ab7daf9bf5

Updated 9:04 AM CEST, May 18, 2025

EL AARJATE, Morocco (AP) — A mutt with a blue tag clipped to her ear whimpers as she’s lifted from a cage and carried to a surgery table for a spay and a rabies vaccine, two critical steps before she’s released back onto the streets of Morocco’s capital.

The “Beldi,” as Moroccan street dogs are called, is among the hundreds taken from Rabat to a dog pound in a nearby forest. As part of an expanded “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return” program, dogs like her are examined, treated and ultimately released with tags that make clear they pose no danger.

“We have a problem: That’s stray dogs. So we have to solve it, but in a way that respects animals,” said Mohamed Roudani, the director of the Public Health and Green Spaces Department in Morocco’s Interior Ministry.

Trying to balance safety and animal well-being

Morocco adopted “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return,” or TVNR, in 2019. One facility has opened in Rabat and more are set to be launched in at least 14 other cities, aligning Morocco with recommendations from the World Organization for Animal Health. The government has spent roughly $23 million over the past five years on animal control centers and programs.

Roudani said Morocco’s updated approach balanced public safety, health and animal well-being. Local officials, he added, were eager to expand TVNR centers throughout the country.

Though population estimates are challenging, based on samples of marked and tagged stray dogs, Moroccan officials believe they number between 1.2 to 1.5 million. Some neighborhoods welcome and care for them collectively. However, others decry their presence as a scourge and note that more than 100,000 Moroccans have needed rabies vaccinations after attacks.

A draft law is in the works that would require owners to vaccinate pets and impose penalties for animal abuse.

Inside the center

On a visit organized for journalists to a TNVR center in El Aarjate, enclosures for dogs appear spacious and orderly, with clean floors and the scent of disinfectant. Food and water bowls are refreshed regularly by staff who move between spaces, offering gentle words and careful handling. Some staff members say they grow so attached to the dogs that they miss them when they’re released to make space to treat incoming strays.

Veterinarians and doctors working for the Association for the Protection of Animals and Nature care for between 400 and 500 stray dogs from Rabat and surrounding cities. Dogs that veterinarians deem unhealthy or aggressive are euthanized using sodium pentobarbital, while the rest are released, unable to spread disease or reproduce.

Youssef Lhor, a doctor and veterinarian, said that aggressive methods to cull dogs didn’t effectively make communities safer from rabies or aggression. He said it made more sense to to try to have people coexist with dogs safely, noting that more than 200 had been released after treatment from the Rabat-area center.

“Slaughtering dogs leads to nothing. This TNVR strategy is not a miracle solution, but it is an element that will add to everything else we’re doing,” he said, referring to “Treat, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return.”

It’s designed to gradually reduce the stray dog population while minimizing the need for euthanasia.

It’s a program that Morocco is eager to showcase after animal rights groups accused it of ramping up efforts to cull street dogs after being named co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup last year.

Animal rights groups protest

Animal rights groups routinely use large sporting events to draw attention to their cause and similarly targeted Russia in the lead-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup there.

Citing unnamed sources and videos it said were shot in Morocco, the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition claimed in January that Morocco was exterminating 3 million dogs, particularly around cities where stadiums are being built. The allegations, reported widely by international media lacking a presence in Morocco, triggered anti-FIFA protests as far away as Ahmedabad, India.

“These dogs are being shot in the street, often in front of children, or dragged away with wire nooses to die slow, agonizing deaths,” Ian Ward, the coalition’s chairman, said in a statement.

Moroccan officials vehemently deny the claims, say they’re implementing the very programs that activists propose, including TNVR. They rebuff the idea that any policy is related to the World Cup. Still, critics see their efforts as publicity stunts and are skeptical such programs are as widespread as officials claim.

Instances of mistreatment and euthanasia by gunshot have been reported in local media but Moroccan officials say, despite international attention, they’re isolated incidents and don’t reflect on-the-ground reality nationwide.

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Morocco’s Successful Stray Dog Program is Saving Lives. Turkey Must Do the Same!

https://www.thepetitionsite.com/704/461/921/?z00m=33472142

In Morocco, a groundbreaking approach to managing stray dogs has proven successful and humane. The government implemented the “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Return” (TNVR) program in 2019, investing $23 million in animal control centers and offering a better, more compassionate alternative to culling. Through TNVR, stray dogs are neutered, vaccinated, and returned to their territories, reducing the population while ensuring the health and safety of both the animals and the people in the community. 

This news comes at a time when Turkey is still using its brutal approach to managing its stray dog population. The country has legalized the culling of stray dogs, raising serious concerns about animal cruelty. Research shows culling creates more problems and suffering, whereas programs like Morocco’s TNVR provide a safer, more sustainable solution.

Sign the petition to urge Turkey to follow Morocco and implement a TNVR program to solve its stray dog problem!

Morocco’s program has shown amazing results, with the stray dog population decreasing in a way that promotes animal welfare, public safety, and disease control. Now, local dog populations are monitored and kept healthy, without the need for cruel and deadly methods.

The evidence is clear – culling does not solve the problem of stray animals. It only perpetuates suffering and creates new issues, as the void left by killed animals is quickly filled by others. 

By adopting Morocco’s model, Turkey can provide a humane solution for stray animals while improving the safety and health of its citizens. Let’s urge the Turkish government to follow Morocco’s lead and implement a comprehensive program that prioritizes the well-being of both people and animals.

Sign the petition to demand Turkey end the culling of stray dogs and adopt a humane solution for animal control!

(Gaza) From ‘the cat lady of Gaza’ to West Bank vets: What frontline animal aid looks like in Palestine

https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/03/09/from-the-cat-lady-of-gaza-to-west-bank-vets-what-frontline-animal-aid-looks-like-in-palest

Copyright Animal Heroes

Published on 09/03/2025 – 10:04 GMT+1•Updated 10/03/2025 – 10:08 GMT+1

A Dutch charity faces huge challenges in the occupied territories, as it fundraises to care for dogs, cats and donkeys.

The first emergency clinic for injured animals is due to open in the Palestinian city of Jenin later this month. 

Israeli attacks on the occupied West Bank city have left hundreds of homes destroyed, leaving countless animals without food, shelter or medical care. 

Netherlands-based charity Animal Heroes is facing many literal roadblocks and obstructions to launching a clinic in the conflict zone. But since 7 October 2023, the small team has proven its determination to alleviate animal suffering in Gaza and the West Bank, and support local people looking after animals.

These ‘heroes’ include 36-year-old Maryam Hassan Barq, nicknamed “the cat lady of Gaza” for her steadfast support of 65 cats. And 25-year-old A’aed Mahmoud Abu Nejem, a veterinary doctor running the charity’s pop-up clinic in Gaza, who was injured in an airstrike hours before the ceasefire took effect 19 January. Despite his injuries, he resumed his work last week.

We spoke to Animal Heroes founder Esther Kef, who returned from a visit to the West Bank in February, to hear about the challenges of providing animal aid in the Palestinian territories.

Violence against animals is increasing in the West Bank

The fate of people and animals in the West Bank is inextricably linked. 

“The situation for animals is horrible because since 7 October, many people are without jobs because they live off tourism and construction,” explains Kef.

Financial desperation is stoking tension in communities, she says, which triggers increased violence against animals. “What we’re seeing is like 10, 20 animals being completely kicked into pieces by people just for no reason, just to express violence,” she says.

Animal Heroes supports Bethlehem Shelter, the only registered animal charity in the West Bank, founded by another passionate animal lover, Diana Babish. But over the course of three visits since November 2023, Kef has seen conditions deteriorate.

Esther Kef, founder of Animal Heroes, says thousands of animals are in a dire situation in the West Bank.
Animal Heroes

Designed for 100 animals, the basic shelter is now holding around 200 dogs. Outdoor fences had to be shut after Babish realised that people were coming at night to hurt and poison them. 

“People have seen a lot of violence,” Kef speculates. “And when the tension increases, if violence is all you know, it’s not too hard to think that then also the violence increases.”

The number of animals being hit on roads has also tripled, according to vets funded by Animal Heroes. 

“On a positive note, [the vet] says that for the first time […] younger people now are starting to bring in the animals left on the street that have been hit,” Kef says.

Her charity has also partnered with Bethlehem University and the Ministry of Education to start an awareness programme for children to teach them about animal welfare. They spoke at two schools during their recent visit, working up from the importance of bees to the mistreatment of dogs.

How will the emergency clinic in Jenin help animals?

There are an estimated 2,000 stray dogs in Jenin, but no single organisation dedicated to their care.

A revered animal protector in the community, Babish gets calls every day from people in Jenin saying they have found an injured cat or dog. She tends to send a taxi to take the animal to a facility in Nablus, typically an hour’s drive away.

But with increased roadblocks in the West Bank due to Israel’s so-called military expansion, the journey can now take half a day. 

To save more lives where they are being jeopardised, the animal protectors have acquired – for free – space in an old house four kilometres from the centre of Jenin. Two young vets have volunteered to run the clinic, under the supervision of acclaimed British vet Jenny McKay. 

It cost €5,000 for the equipment to set up the practice. With their ambitions to treat around 150 animals a month from across the West Bank, medical care is expected to add €3,500 a month to the charity’s bills.

Animal Heroes is appealing for donations to help cover the supply of antibiotics and other first aid, and secure more advanced equipment including an X-ray machine.

What happens once the animals have been treated? It’s a troubling question in a conflict zone. 

Previously, Babish was skilled at sending her dogs across the world, says Kef. “Diana is the type of person you don’t say no to.” But with fewer and costlier flights from Tel Aviv, and no flight volunteers to accompany the animals out, adoptions ground to a halt. 

The Bethlehem Shelter is prioritising puppies and vulnerable dogs that need to recover after treatments. Babish continues to use her network to get animals fostered in Israel, via Israeli animal aid organisations. 

“The problem is,” Kef adds, “what happens if the IDF turns Jenin into a second Gaza, where no one goes in and nobody gets to go out? If that’s the case, then obviously the roads are completely blocked, and the animals will need to be just left freely back on the street again.”

Animal Heroes is looking into renting a shelter, in preparation for this worst case scenario.

Animal heroes in Gaza continue life-saving work

A’aed, Animal Heroes’ lead vet in Gaza, was hit by an airstrike in a crowded marketplace hours before the ceasefire, suffering injuries to both legs, his eye and his hand.
Animal Heroes

When we speak on 28 February, Kef is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a truckload of aid into Gaza, as part of the Animals in Gaza Alliance with the UK’s Safe Haven for Donkeys and Finland’s Animal Aid without Borders.

But on 2 March, Israel again blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into the heavily-bombed territory, meaning that trucks containing medicine and food are still stuck at the Egyptian border.

“The impact is profound, because there is hardly any medicine in Gaza for animals, and yet so many animals are in desperate need of them,” Kef writes. “Every day this shipment is delayed, the suffering of donkeys and horses is prolonged.”

As well as operating a pop-up clinic, Animal Heroes funds people taking care of animals. Among the most remarkable of these is Maryam Hassan Barq, who refused to abandon 65 rescue cats when the IDF order came to evacuate her home in northern Gaza. 

“I consider them like my children,” Maryam said during an interview with Animal Heroes in November, at a time when she was suffering from starvation and dehydration. “I am fully aware that I might die at any moment for staying in the north, but from the beginning of the war, I took the decision that we either live together or we die together.”

“There is no other place for them and I cannot transfer them anywhere else in these dangerous conditions due to their number, and there’s no safe place to go to anyway,” she explained. “Our life feels like a nightmare, to say the least, but we live on. I know it sounds crazy.”

A dozen cats died before the ceasefire emerged in January. Afterwards, Maryam was able to buy vegetables for herself for the first time in months, and chicken for the cats – which need protein. With the crossing closed again, she is again concerned for their lives.

How can you support Animal Heroes?

“People like Diana, like Maryam, they’re very humble people,” says Kef. “They just care about helping animals and they even risk their own lives to do so. So that’s what inspires me to do this every day.”

Esther was inspired to found Animal Heroes in 2023 after meeting similarly dedicated people in need of animal aid assistance in Ukraine. The lean organisation has since grown from three to 25 volunteers.

Animal Heroes is fundraising to support its medical response team in Gaza here. Its new fundraiser, to help injured animals in the West Bank – including through the new emergency clinic – has recently launched here.