Some of the animals will be reunited with their owners while others will be put up for adoption
Hundreds of animals stranded in Afghanistan arrived in Vancouver on Tuesday night, after more than six months of rescue efforts by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
A total of 158 dogs and 146 cats touched down at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) aboard a specially converted Russian Ilyushin 76-TD aircraft after stops in Turkey and Iceland.
SPCA International said partners in Kabul reached out to them regarding the pets when U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
The groups hoped to evacuate the animals to North America at the time of the withdrawal, but the volatile situation combined with logistical issues resulted in the delay.
“These animals have been on the plane for quite some time,” Lori Kalef, director of programs for SPCA International, said prior their arrival. “We had to reroute at the last minute due to the conflict going on in Russia.”
From YVR, the animals will be transferred to a specially constructed 1,600-square metre facility.
Kalef said about 66 of the animals will be reunited with their owners, while another two dozen will stay with the SPCA until their owners are able to retrieve them.
The others will be put up for adoption across North America.
Anyone interested in adopting one of the animals can visit the SPCA International website. Applications will be handled by SPCA International and the B.C.-based RainCoast Dog Rescue Society.
Treacherous rescue mission
In a statement, the SPCA said numerous pets were left behind in shelters when their owners fled the country following the Taliban takeover.
A local charity, Kabul Small Animal Rescue, had saved more than 70 dogs from Kabul International Airport and rescued dozens of other animals abandoned by owners when they were forced to flee.
A little puppy in despair calls out in agony among the wreckage, pleading for help.
On a routine animal rescue mission, our team stumbled upon a heartbreaking scene: a tiny puppy buried in rubble, wailing in distress. Our hearts ached for this innocent soul, and we knew we had to act quickly to save him. As we pushed away the rocks, we found another puppy, also crying out for help. The ongoing construction and careless actions of society had placed these fragile lives in danger.
Our team felt the immense weight of responsibility as we frantically dug through the rubble, searching for the other puppy. Each passing moment was crucial, as the puppies’ lives hung in the balance. The team worked tirelessly, determined to save these innocent creatures from their dangerous predicament.
When we finally found the second puppy, our hearts broke at the sight of his weak and fragile state. We gently lifted them out of the rubble, praying that they would survive their ordeal. The emotional rescue mission was a testament to the importance of never giving up on the vulnerable beings who share our world.
The rescue of the two puppies is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion in our society. The careless actions of human beings can have devastating consequences for the innocent animals who live among us. It is our collective responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of these creatures and to protect them from harm.
Once the puppies were safely rescued, our team began the process of nursing them back to health. Under our care, the puppies received medical attention, proper nutrition, and the love and comfort they so desperately needed. The road to recovery was long and challenging, but each day brought signs of hope and progress.
As the puppies grew stronger, our team turned their attention to finding them loving, forever homes. The two puppies, now named Hope and Courage, were eventually adopted by kind-hearted families who promised to provide them with the love and care they deserved. The emotional rescue mission was a life-changing experience for all involved, and Hope and Courage’s story serves as an inspiration for us all.
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