Caturday: Cats in War I - Animal Friends Shelter in Gaza

 photo from Animal Friends Shelter

This is the first of a series of Caturday posts about cats trapped in war zones. Cats are not political (nor are dogs or any other animal for that matter--nor, generally, the people caring for them, nor this post). In peace and where people watch out for them, cats enjoy being loved and learn to return love. Yet, cats (and other animals) do get find themselves struggling in war zones. They, just like people who have done nothing to bring harm to anyone else but just happen to live there, suffer the consequences of evil descending unexpectedly from sources external to them. Like people, cats and other animals suffer when they are homeless and without food or winter. And they are often completely forgotten when war (or natural disaster, for that matter -- they drown in floods and burn in fires) breaks out. Like people, they have to dodge bullets, bombs, and other dangers. Unlike people, they are often not calculated into humanitarian outreach efforts

In this first post, we share the plight (and courage) of the founders and caregivers at Animal Friends Shelter in Gaza. Last Caturday, we related how the shelter was pleading for funds to purchase reserves of food and water because they were running out of money and out of time. Some folks responded to their plea--so wonderful--and they were able to move the cats to a safer place and obtain some additional food and watetr supplies for now, but safe is a relative term right now in Gaza. Both cats and caregivers are in danger, and very soon likely they will lose contact with the outside world and those who could help them because of loss of power and access the Internet. Big prayers that the onslaught will pass them by and will pass quickly before humans and cats alike become siege victims. Knowing survivors of the siege of Leningrad in WWII, I cannot believe the level of inhumanity and depth of suffering in such cases. 

Since Gaza is becoming buttoned up and battened down very quickly, it is hard to suggest how to help directly. There was/is a PayPal account, but it is not clear what the caregivers can do with money received, whether food or water will be available for purchase or unreachable for the duration of the war. Best to contact the shelter directly, if possible -- the Twitter account is still live for now -- and ask the brave caregivers what, beyond prayers (always helpful; God bless the dedicated caregivers) and moral support (also always helpful; courage to the brave caregivers who have chosen not to abandon the cats) can be done to help them. Here is their Twitter account: Animal Friends Shelter (@AnimalFriendsSh) / X (twitter.com). Follow, friend, and, if/when you can, donate. Donations appear to be their main source of support.

There is another (not nearby) animal shelter in Gaza: Sulala Animal Rescue – Saving stray animals. They actively rescue stray animals, but it is not clear how they are funded or how to help then. Contacting them through their website might bring an answer, but the dilemma is the same for all in Gaza -- the outside world is hard to reach, and the outside world has no clear way to reach in. Still, one must try.

Network for Animals helps animals in war zones and other difficulties all over the world. Although in one promotional piece, they mention Gaza, it is not clear how much they are helping -- or can help --  the abandoned animals of Gaza. In case someone might like to connect with this organization, here are the coordinates: Network For Animals - Crusading Against Animal Cruelty.

War is awful. The suffering of animals (and innocent people) from the wages of war is inexcusable. Yet, how does one help while sitting in a peaceful location far from the madding crowd?  I help the only way I know how -- by trying to support from afar one effort that I can reach and providing that effort prayers, encouragement, and where possible, donations, as well as by spreading the word until it reaches someone who can perhaps do much more.

For more Caturday posts, click HERE.

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