© penfarthing - Instagram / Pen Farthing
Trips out of Afghanistan are happening in a rushed and chaotic manner, with Afghan and foreign nationals attempting to evacuate.
The first flights from Afghanistan to Oxford arrived on Sunday and British soldiers continue to race against the clock, trying to get as many UK nationals back home as soon as possible.
Nowzad, the animal charity making a difference for animals and people
Last year, we interviewed Pen Farthing, Founder and CEO of the Nowzad animal charity. An ex-marine, Pen decided to start the Nowzad charity in 2006 after he met a dog who changed his life.
Over the years, Farthing’s charity has helped thousands of cats, dogs, horses and even donkeys! Nowzad takes stray, injured, and ill animals from the street, nurses them back to health, and sometimes, when possible, sends them abroad to their forever families!
But Nowzad is much more than just an animal rescue. It has enabled dozens of Afghan nationals to learn about animal health and care. It has provided training opportunities for students, jobs for locals. And now, all of this is at risk of disappearing.
Afghan animal charity in danger of the Taliban
With the Taliban taking over Kabul, Farthing and his team fear they will be targeted as they are a Western charity. To add to this, the new regime would mean that any women working on their team, including one of their top vets, Dr Hamida, would have to step down from their positions. A huge step back for many who have never known life under this regime.
Pen Farthing is asking his followers to share his story large and wide. He needs governments’ help. While he is a UK national and could “easily” leave the country in the next few days if he wanted to, he refuses to leave behind his dedicated team with whom he has built a strong bond with.
Nowzad needs donations now more than ever so they can fund the safe evacuation of their staff and animals. Every little helps. Our thoughts are with Pen and his team during this difficult time.
