A group of animal rescues and nonprofits recently evacuated 285 stranded dogs and cats from Afghanistan as part of an international rescue mission following thewithdrawal of U.S. military troopsfrom the country on Aug. 31.
“After doing everything in our power to make this evacuation a reality, we are thrilled to report that the animals have arrived safely in Vancouver, Canada, and are enjoying some well-deserved rest after their long journey,” Lori Kalef, the director of programs at SPCA International, said in a statement.
She added that theanimalsare “are happy, healthy, and ready to find their forever homes or be reunited with their families.”
Additionally, the rescue mission needed to be rerouted to Canada after theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention’s suspension of the importation of dogsinto the United States from more than 100 countries considered to be at high risk of rabies, which barred the animals from being brought directly to the U.S.
A public affairs civilian in the U.S. Air Force who had to leave his cat Tay Tay behind in August, pet parents forced to leave their cat Barfi behind, and an Afghan refugee family not able to bring their two cats when they left Afghanistan have all been reunited with their beloved pets thanks to the rescue mission.
“We believe deeply in creating second chances for animals and couldn’t be happier for the hundreds of dogs and cats who will now have theirs,” said Zach Skow, the founder of Marley’s Mutts.
Since the animals arrived in Canada, they have been staying at a temporary shelter before they are adopted or reunited with their previous owners.
To help fund SPCA International’s rescue efforts, visit theorganization’s donation page.
source: people.com
