Help for animals caught up in war.

When we think of disaster, we often think of fires, floods, and earthquakes. However, war and ongoing political unrest can create even bigger and longer-lasting animal welfare and humanitarian crises; for many worldwide, this is their daily reality. Many in these regions wake to frightening uncertainty daily, sometimes for years or decades.

Long after the media spotlight fades, brave people continue to work tirelessly for the animals who are so often forgotten victims in some of the most challenging and dangerous circumstances.  They reinforce our belief that compassion knows no borders and that there really is hope for animals everywhere. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Animals Australia’s Emergency Grants Program is helping to provide them with lifesaving support for their work during and in the aftermath of war.  

See below how emergency grants have helped animals, and animal organisations, in Gaza, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Ukraine, and Myanmar.

Sulala Animal Rescue

Our grants program continues to support the incredible work of Gaza’s only registered animal shelter and rescue service – Sulala Animal Rescue.

Like many, Animals Australia has been deeply distressed witnessing the ongoing violent attacks harming all innocent residents of Gaza. The people and animals sadly remain in extreme danger from relentless bombing and the flow-on effects that include food scarcity, lack of access to medical or veterinary care, lack of fuel and power, and fresh water.

Amidst the devastation, the Sulala team continues to do all they can to not only survive but also help save the many animals who are left stranded, starving, and injured. For the past 11 months, we have done all we can to ensure that their lifesaving work has been seen and supported by the rest of the world during the crisis. We continue to raise vital funds through our global appeal, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to the team on the ground to buy critical food, supplies, and fuel to enable them to continue their vital work.

Thanks to the generosity of Animals Australia donors, we secured an entire truckload – more than 20 tonnes of food – for animals in Gaza. Our truck reached the border just as threats of a ground invasion in Rafah progressed to airstrikes, and it was closed. To get so close after months of complex logistical coordination and negotiations was devastating, but we are determined to try again when the border reopens.

Animals Australia continues to explore every possible avenue to help the animals of Gaza and the courageous and compassionate people who are trying to help them. Since the conflict began, despite the constant dangers and challenges, Saeed and his team are still dedicating each day to helping affected animals. Amongst the ongoing tragedy, Sulala remains a living beacon of light and hope.

Animals Lebanon

War is destroying the lives of people and animals in Lebanon. As attacks on the country intensify, over a million people have been displaced and countless animals have been lost, stranded, or killed.

The Animals Lebanon team remain on the ground despite extensive Israeli airstrikes, including in central Beirut, where they are based. While their neighbourhood is impacted, their team and animals in their care remain safe. During the ongoing conflict they are being flooded with desperate calls, emails and messages from people trying to get help for animals. For many of them time is running out. This small but brave team are tirelessly searching for and caring for hundreds of animals who have survived airstrikes, reuniting those lost with their families and helping those who can bring their animals as they evacuate with supplies and paperwork to cross country borders.

Amidst the widescale destruction, the Animals Lebanon team remains on the ground and is dedicated to helping around the clock despite the danger that persists. Support from generous Animals Australia donors around the world gives them strength, hope and the resources they need to save as many lives as possible.

If you would like to support the ongoing efforts of organisations like Animals Lebanon to help animals worldwide during disasters and crises, please consider donating to our Emergency Grants Program today.

Sirius Shelter

Amidst immense suffering and widespread destruction, the brave team at Sirius Shelter in Ukraine continues to help animals during the ongoing devastation of war. Our Emergency Grants Program provides funds to assist this largest shelter in the country in providing critical care and refuge for thousands of rescued animals by funding materials to build essential shelters until they can be safely rehomed or reunited.

Despite the challenges, including problems with electricity supply, communications, and attacks on critical infrastructure, thanks to the generosity of Animals Australia donors, construction has just been completed on several new shelters, giving countless dogs a secure, lifesaving home as winter approaches

If you would like to support brave shelters like Sirius and sustain our ongoing efforts to help animals worldwide during disasters and crises, please consider donating to our Emergency Grants program today.

Kabul Small Animal Rescue

Located in Kabul, this dedicated team operate an emergency rescue service and shelter for animals across the city. Their work was made all the more challenging after the fall of Kabul and the departure of many international citizens working in the city. The political situation in Afghanistan remains unstable, creating an ongoing challenging environment to live and work in. The number of animals needing help has risen sharply, and the KSAR team have a never-ending job helping everyone they can – animals they refuse to turn away.   

They rehome many rescued animals internationally each year and give veterinary care and love to hundreds of dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and wildlife around the clock at their shelter.   

We are proud to support this compassionate and dedicated team of animal advocates in Afghanistan through our Emergency Grants Program.  If you would like to support the incredible work of KSAR and other brave organisations like them, please donate here.

Animals Syria

In 2023, a catastrophic earthquake hit Türkiye and Syria. With many thousands dead and millions displaced, the devastating impacts on animals and people were almost incomprehensible. Our grants program provided immediate and lifesaving support to the dedicated team at Animals Syria in the aftermath of the disaster, funding rescue efforts, urgent veterinary supplies, fuel for the transportation of critical care patients, and materials to repair damage to their shelter.

War Paws

Iraq is a country that has suffered decades of war and unrest, which has left not only the people of Iraq suffering but also the animals. With a shelter in the Kurdish region, this small team is helping over 600 animals who need them in Iraq. Their mission is to “provide a voice and make a difference for the forgotten animals of war”, which is exactly what they do each day despite working and living in a volatile region.  

Their work extends internationally to help animals in other conflict zones, most recently in Ukraine. They are also tackling issues of animal homelessness by running effective desexing and international adoption programs. Our emergency grant has assisted the War Paws team in building pools and shade areas at their Iraq shelter as they battled record-setting Summers of sweltering heat over 50 degrees Celsius. 

Let’s Save the Strays

The military coup in Myanmar continues to create conflict throughout the country, putting animals and people at risk. International volunteers have been scarce since the coup began in 2021, and the threat of danger is still a daily presence. But despite this, a team of compassionate local advocates and vets are working tirelessly to maintain a long-running project to help animals.  

Our Emergency Grants Program continues to fund their important work, which aims to reduce the number of homeless dogs through ongoing spay and neuter programs. Repressive military rule hasn’t stopped these dedicated animal lovers from creating a brighter future for the many animals in Myanmar who need them. 

It takes courage to put others first in times of conflict. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, Animals Australia’s grants program is helping these kindhearted people on the ground save animals during war. You can help them, too, by donating here.