MSI Press Blog

                                Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Misho & Mustafa (Misho knows nothing about the war in Gaza, but he feels safe with Mustafa.) Mustafa is a young Gazan, a former pharmacy student, who lost his father and his home and has opened his tent to a cat, Misho, in need of a human, while trying to help his family. Here is his story: I'm Mustafa Amin Al-Jabour from the Gaza Strip. I'm 22 years old. I never imagined I would have to ask for help like this, but this is my last chance to protect my family and keep them alive. My father died in the war, and I was forced to grow up quickly and take responsibility for my family, including my mother and my younger brother, Amin. Our lives have been completely shattered since October 7th. That was supposed to be the semester I graduated from pharmacy and started working to support my family… but the war ch...

Cats & Their People: Stories from Conflict Zones — Biso & Yousef (Biso is in urgent need of specialized vet care; she is declining while waiting.) Yousef is a 23-year-old Gazan at the University College of Science and Technology in Khan Younis.  Here is his story: I am currently displaced, living in a tent in Mawasi, Khan Yuni. I have 3 younger brothers, and my dear cat Biso.  We have cared for Biso throughout this war, sharing what food we had. Miraculously, she has survived shrapnel, bombings and all sorts of chaos. She is still young, only 4 years and a half. She gives us much comfort and we love her dearly.   We are really struggling right now.  So many friends, family members and community members whom I loved have been killed. The grief is heavy. Note: Now, Biso has become very sick and in need of specialized vet care. Only about 25% of the cost has been donated to date, and Biso grows weaker by the day. You can follow Yousef and Biso on Twitter a...

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...

  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  ...