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.
Indomitable spirit: The harrowing journey of an abandoned mother dog with a broken neck, overcoming cruelty to find redemption for her poor cubs
It’s a Miracle! Abandoned Pregnant Dog in Critical Condition Still Able to Give Birth to 7 Puppies
On November 11th, a distressing report came in about a pregnant dog in critical condition. The situation was heart-wrenching – the dog had been abandoned in a box with a broken neck, just days away from giving birth. There were signs of violence on her frail body, and her puppies were at risk.
The rescuer who responded to the call, Kola Kariola, described the moment he first saw her as heartbreaking. The dog collapsed in his hands, her belly bleeding profusely. He rushed her to the vet where she received a blood transfusion and was stabilized, but her condition was still dire.
Kola consulted with his vet who recommended moving the dog to a larger hospital for further treatment. Her neck needed surgery to save her life, but they decided to wait until after she gave birth to her puppies. The next 48 hours were tense as the brave dog fought for her life and gave birth to 7 puppies, although 2 of them were stillborn. She was unable to feed her puppies, so Kola and his team had to step in and provide nourishment for them.
Despite the odds, the puppies survived, and it was truly a miracle. The mother dog, who was named Belinha, finally underwent her much-needed neck surgery, which was successful. She was then moved to a special room for post-operative care and observation for 72 hours. It was crucial for her to recover fully before being reunited with her puppies.
Kola expressed his gratitude towards Protetora Carol, who played a crucial role in saving Belinha’s life. It was her quick action and dedication to rescuing animals that brought Belinha to safety and enabled her to receive the medical care she desperately needed.
Belinha’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of animals, as well as the power of compassionate individuals who go above and beyond to help those in need. It’s a reminder of the importance of reporting cases of animal cruelty and neglect, and taking action to help animals in distress. Belinha and her puppies are now on the road to recovery, thanks to the unwavering efforts of Kola, his vet team, and Protetora Carol. Their story is one of hope, compassion, and the incredible bond between humans and animals.
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