Afghanistan's only animal rescue needs help as coalition troops leave

U.S. supporters of Nowzad, Afghanistan's only animal rescue, worry about the fate of the dogs, cats and other rescued animals in their care as the impending withdrawal of American troops closes in. Since its founding at the height of the war in 2007, dozens of U.S. service members and contractors have saved, adopted, and paid transportation costs for the pet that became their constant companion in the war zone. Locally, Fido's Companion has helped get a dozen dogs and cats to America. Fido's Director and founder Michelle Reichlin said the connection between Fido's and Nowzad was established when a U.S. soldier wrote to her for help. Fido's assisted in raising funds to get a dog he befriended while serving in Afghanistan to the states. In the next few weeks, a dog named Julie will become the 13th animal Fido's has helped make the long trip from Kabul to Avon, Reichlin said. There's good reason to fear for the safety of domestic pets in the war-torn country and one of the better examples is the story of how Nowzad founder Pen Farthing, a former British Royal Marine, adopted his dog. When Farthing witnessed a group of men organizing a dog fight, he knew he had to stop it. That single act changed the trajectory of his life and saved thousands of animals. Spared from the aborted fight, one of the dogs began to follow him around. Farthing named him Nowzad after the village where he found him. The two became inseparable. "When I was shot at and mortared, so was Nowzad," he said. Farthing wasn't about to leave the loyal dog behind so he managed to smuggle him back to England where he eventually died from old age. When Farthing's military service concluded, he returned to Afghanistan, determined to reunite soldiers with animals they befriended during their tours of duty— dogs and cats suffering from life in a brutal environment. The organization he founded was named after his dog and, to this day, remains Afghanistan's first and only animal rescue. Since 2007, it has helped reunite more than 1,600 dogs and cats with U.S. and other coalition service members as well as diplomats and contractors. They also found homes around the world for an additional 1,000 pets abandoned to the streets. During a Zoom session, Farthing talked about his work while walking around the compound, currently home to 142 dogs, 50 cats, two donkeys, a goat and a bull, who was saved as a calf while being attacked by a pack of dogs. Staff veterinarians joined the discussion. These dedicated young people work and live together on the Nowzad compound in the center of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Dr. Mujtabi Razaei said his family fled to Iran decades ago. He was born and graduated high school there, but decided to return to Afghanistan to attend university. He realized how important English was to his career so he attended English classes after attending his other classes all day, he said. Nowzad hired him in 2014, as he graduated veterinary school. He had been up the night before when Russian Embassy staff raced one of their working dogs, a bomb sniffer, to Nowzad because it was poisoned. He saved it. Dr. Farzad Stanikzai said his university training did not teach him to treat small animals like dogs and cats. Nor did his training cover animal welfare, including the fact that animals have emotions and feel pain. Dr. Hamida Shabae agreed, adding she knew nothing about the animals that lived on the street all over the country. At Nowzad, she learned how to work on cats or dogs hit by cars or otherwise injured and how to treat stray dogs that are often tortured by locals who cut off their tails or ears or have acid thrown at them. The doctors, including Dr. Zahra Nasiri and intern Dr. Zahra Ensafi, said the gap in university training about animal welfare concerned them enough that they approached the dean and faculty members at the veterinary school about including it in the curriculum. Those conversations resulted in them being asked to design animal welfare lessons to be added to the curriculum. Despite austere conditions, staff asked for nothing for themselves. Dr. Shabae said they worry that, with soldiers leaving, people in the states will forget about them. "We still need their support," she said. The organization's operating budget is about $1 million a year, Farthing said. In addition to food and emergency medical care, they also provide all vaccinations and spay or neuter services for all animals in their care. Many animals who were seriously injured also have medical devices, like carts, to help them get around. A primary task is raising funds to transport pets being adopted by a soldier or saved by a rescue organization. It is extremely expensive — $5,000 for a dog and $3,000 for a cat. With so few carriers flying into Kabul, Nowzad must fly animals to Abu Dhabi (UAE) then London, then the U.S., and the cost is sky high for each carrier, Farthing said. Nowzad has an active Facebook presence where potential donors are asked to fund transportation costs. Some of the animals Nowzad is hoping to get to the U.S. are found today on page B xx. When Farthing returned to the office, he was greeted by their two office dogs, Ewok and Dakota. Ewok, a Papillon, was purchased from Russians. Farthing said the owners became bored with the little guy who would not have survived on the streets. Dakota, a German Shepherd mix, was turned over to Nowzad with a rear leg so badly damaged, it had to be amputated. He has some strength in his other rear leg so he can stand. However Farthing explained he'd much rather use his front legs to scootch across the linoleum floor. Due to his injuries and handicap, Dakota would not have survived anywhere but Nowzad. He also spoke with pride about the way the staff work together, explaining they are both Sunni and Shia, the two major denominations of Islam which have fought for centuries. In addition, women and men work as partners, something unimaginable not long ago. Farthing's wife, Kaisa, paid a surprise visit to her husband's office. She is country manager for Ascent Athletics, an international nonprofit combining leadership development with a love of the outdoors for young women and girls. Raised in mountainous Norway and an avid climber, she discovered there was a group of female climbers in Afghanistan. She left her position as an events planner and traveled to meet them. "They're sparkling with energy, hopes and dreams," she said. She witnessed their exceptional ability to adapt. "Many things did not work. It's just amazing how they make it happen with the things they've got." "They crave knowledge. They take art classes or learn English on their own." Ascent Athletics offers health and nutrition classes in addition to leadership and outdoor training. She was all smiles as she relayed how she "met the handsome man who runs Nowzad." They married three months ago. Farthing, who lives in Exeter, England, happened to be on one of his periodic trips to Kabul and Nowzad when pandemic travel restrictions were issued. He said, as awful as COVID was, it offered them precious time to get to know each other, which might not have happened otherwise. Ultimately, the conversation returned to the uncertainty faced by the Farthings, Nowzad staff and all Afghans, including the 5 million who live in Kabul alone. The Farthings believe troop presence the past 20 years contained the Taliban and there is a real downside to them leaving. He added this also affects Nowzad adoptions — fewer soldiers to fall in love with the abandoned strays who befriend troops willing to share some food with them. "Most people want a normal life and want normal things," Kaisa said. An avid reader of international news, Farthing believes many, including Americans, do not have a realistic view of what life in Afghanistan is really like. Yes, there are bombings, but far fewer than in the past. Kaisa said she'll get texts from friends in Norway after a bombing inquiring about her well being. The most recent that captured international headlines was that of a school. With nearly two decades experience on the ground in Afghanistan, Farthing believes that bombing was more likely the work of the Islamic State than the Taliban. He noted that several recent bombings occurred in the same Kabul neighborhood, where a number of Shia live. He feels it is a deliberate attempt to escalate internal strife. Farthing went on to explain that security is provided by local police and the Afghan army and that international forces have not been involved in this aspect for years. Troop withdrawal raises uncertainty about the future, he said. In one scenario, the Taliban could attempt to overtake the current government. Farthing said that could spark an even bleaker scenario — a civil war. Meanwhile, they intend to carry on their work, but need help from animal lovers across the globe to support their efforts. Reichlin expressed a sense of urgency about helping Nowzad move more of their adoptable animals to safety. Farthing said that includes 70 dogs and 50 cats. Fido's is willing to take in Nowzad dogs and also will help transport cats. Like so many nonprofits, the pandemic brought in-person fundraising to a halt, while demand for service increased. Farthing said they saw a dip in donations last year and hopes that they will be able to resume in-person events by 2022. In the past, he has traveled to Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Seattle and other American cities to educate donors about Nowzad's mission and ask for support. For now, they rely on online donations which can be made via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nowzadrescue or the website — www.nowzad.com For those unable to donate online, checks can be mailed to: Nowzad Dogs NFP, 2770 Main Street #161, Frisco, Texas, 75033. Please include the name of the animal whose expenses you would like to fund. Nowzad is a registered U.S. nonprofit entity. Fido's will need donors to help cover food, medicine and other needs when Nowzad adoptables arrive here. Those who wish to help can donate to Fido's at www.fidoscompanion.com/Donate.aspx. Make sure to indicate the donation is to assist Nowzad.