"I lost my dad and my home; my cat became my only hope."


Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Luca and Ameen

Ameen Aljbour is a pharmacy student in Gaza. He takes care of a cat named Luca. Many times, Luca has run out of food, once running away for two days in search of it. Ameen has shared pictures of her looking at an empty plate. On some occasions, this sweet kitty has gone a short while without food, but inexorably, pennies would again come in, thanks to people on Twitter and from elsewhere donating what they could and retweeting Luca's pictures and needs. We work at keeping Luca alive because as long as she stays alive, hope stays alive.

Twitter users have also come to Ameen's rescue as he works his way through his doctor in pharmacy program. Sometimes, he has had to put off an exam for a day because he has not had the fee, but when that information has been shared, again, somehow last-minute donations come in. Currently, he still needs $937 USD to enroll in the next semester (four courses). 

Here is Ameen's story:

My name is Ameen Al-Jabour, I am 21 years old, and I am a university student studying pharmacy. My dream was to complete my studies and build a better future for my family. But the war changed everything. On March 5, 2024, my father was killed when our neighborhood was bombed, just five months after the war began. Since that day, I have been responsible for caring for my entire family as we try to survive in indescribable conditions, with severe shortages of food, clean water, medicine, and basic necessities. Besides caring for my family, I also care for a small cat named Luca, who came to our tent alone during the war. Despite everything happening around us, I couldn't ignore her. I chose to protect and care for her, and she has become a source of comfort during these painful times. Life in Gaza has become unbearable, and every day feels like a new battle for survival. I never imagined I would have to ask strangers for help, but today I have no other choice.


Ameen and Luca in better days
You can follow Ameen and Luca on Twitter and communicate with him at @AljbourAmeen.

 If you wish to donate (even $5 helps and even $1 helps), you can do so safely through Chuffed:  Help Ameen, Luca, and family survive | Chuffed | Non-profit charity and social enterprise fundraising (organized by J. R.)



Please share the story of Luca and Ameen!

This post begins a weekly series, Cats and Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones. Each installment will follow one person and their animals — in Afghanistan, Gaza, Israel, Syria, Ukraine, or wherever survival has become a daily act of devotion. Every story is told with the owner’s permission. The aim is simple: to bring humanity into places where life has been stripped to its barest essentials, and to show how people and animals hold on together. When appropriate, each post will include ways readers can support the individuals featured.


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