MSI Press Blog

In Gaza, even survival has become a daily negotiation — and the cats, once symbols of ordinary neighborhood life, now mirror the region’s fragility. Amid rubble and scarcity, they wander through bombed streets and broken courtyards, searching for food, shelter, and a human touch. Their suffering is quiet but constant, a reflection of the larger grief that surrounds them. Yet in this devastation, small sanctuaries persist — volunteers feeding, rescuing, and nursing life back into fur and bone. These shelters are acts of mercy in a place where mercy itself is endangered. To care for Gaza’s cats is to affirm that life still matters — even in places where survival feels impossible. Each rescued animal is a small act of resistance against despair, a reminder that compassion can outlast destruction. The shelters working there do more than feed and heal; they testify that mercy endures, even when everything else collapses. Below are links to organizations and volunteers who keep that mercy al...

  Following up on previous posts about the Animal Friends Shelter, we wish we could say good things are happening -- and donations do come in, that is good -- but the circumstances become more and more dire for this Gaza shelter, with one of the two shelter volunteers/staff/managers developing hepatitis (typical right now in Gaza but medical facilities are mostly blown up) and food markets and warehouses being blown up, too. Still, some food can be found; it is just becoming very, very expensive and the shelter dependent upon donations, for which they are very grateful. Praying that enough people will help for now and that complete relief will come soon. If you wish to donate directly to the shelter, it is also possible -- and safe. I have done it twice, and each time the funds were received right away. The link to donate is  PayPal.Me . The funds go directly to Sameer. If you are a cat lover, please do take the time to read the posts at the  Animal Friends Shelter  ...

  Graphic from Animal Friends Shelter/Twitter Today, we make another plea not to forget the animal caught in the devastation that is going on in Gaza. These cat shelters are desperate for food and medical supplies. Housing is marginal, and sometimes populations have to be moved because of bombing. The people who care for them, sometimes at risk to their family and sometimes at the cost of being separated from family, are brave souls who deserve prayers and financial help. Our plea is: if you can help (even a few dollars added to many others giving a few dollars add up), please do. If you cannot help, please spread the word on your social media platforms (and anywhere else you can). The stories are not being covered by the media in ways that would bring attention to the dire plight of the animals forgotten in war (any war, really). See our cats in war series of posts. For more Caturday posts, click  HERE . Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sale...

Usually, I do not post on the same topic two Caturdays in a row, but this one is urgent. As you can see, the cats (like the humans) in Gaza have run out of food. Not only is it scarce, but what is available is extremely expensive.  The Animal Friends Shelter right now is experiencing discouragement and yet, this week, had a bit of good news. The family of Samir Skaik (one of the two brothers who operate the shelter) has made it into Egypt. Hurrah! Thanks to donations from kind-hearted cat-loving people from around the world.  Tamer has left the shelter in Gaza City (the north) and is waiting with his family in Rafah (the south) to get across the border, but the situation is dire, with an invasion of Rafah expected at any minute. They are still trying to gather the money they need to be able to evacuate from Gaza in time. Should those of you reading this Caturday post wish to donate, it is pretty easy to do here though Go Fund Me . Just $5 will help, and there are $5 contribut...