MSI Press Blog

  Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Eight Cats & Mohamed (Leo died of starvation a year ago, now there eight cats, all living but in need of help.) Mohamed is an engineer is a pharmacy student in Gaza . He takes care of eight cats in his tent, and he tries to help his sister's family, whose tent is totally destroyed. Here is Mohamed's story: Mohammed is trapped in Gaza along with his family. This includes his parents, siblings, and grandmother. Despite the ceasefire, conditions in Gaza remain extremely severe. Mohammed's family urgently needs support to cover essentials like food, water, shelter, and medical care—for themselves and cats, Mimi, Momo, and Meo. Displaced in the Al-Mawasi tent encampment, they've split up as a precaution (to have surviving family members if one area is bombed).   Recent winter storms brought heavy rain and wind that collapsed their tent, soaking bedding and belongings. (Flooding in Gaza exacerbates health and safety...

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...

  Murjan doing what he did best: Communicating with his staff Be Kind to Animals Week is here—a time to reflect on the many ways we can show compassion to the animals who share our world. At MSI Press, we believe every week should be kind to animals, but this one gives us all a little extra motivation to step up. Here are a few ways you can join us in spreading kindness: 1. Support Animal Advocates Around the Globe Follow your heart when it comes to supporting rescues, shelters, and advocates—but consider lending a hand to animals in places facing exceptional hardship. Rescuers in Gaza , Syria , and Ukraine are doing heroic work in devastating conditions. We’ve highlighted some of these dedicated people in past posts. If you’re able, please join us in donating directly to help their lifesaving efforts. 2. Stay Alert for Local and Urgent Animal Needs Animals in high-kill shelters often face deadlines that only funding or foster placement can change. These calls for help are poste...

  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  ...