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Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue, Gaza
A puppy and kitten walking on the dry, sandy ground, approach a gentle hand in Gaza.

Help for animals caught up in war.

Emergency grants update: How your support is reaching kindhearted people saving animals in war and conflict zones around the world.

Animals Australia

Animals Australia team

Last updated October 4, 2024

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.

Rescuer holds a puppy in front of an animal ambulance, Gaza
Sulala Animal Rescue, Gaza

Gaza

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.

SUPPORT SULALA'S EFFORTS NOW
During war, the animals flee trying to find safety. These poor souls get hurt from explosions and shrapnel. But in daily life, the animals in Gaza are facing a different type of war – mistreatment from those who don’t want them on the streets. They are always afraid.
Saeed Al Err- Founder, Sulala Animal Rescue
A hungry looking brown and black dog lays on concrete as a Gazan man crouches down emptying a can of dog food into a plate in front of the dog
Image Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue
A small dog received medical attention from a Sulala vet.
Image Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue, Gaza
Large truck loaded with pallets of food with the Animals Australia logo printed on the side, Gaza
Several white donkeys in a row eating in Gaza.
Image Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue, Gaza
A man sits with lots of cats, comforting one
Image Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue
A Sulala team member kneels down and pours cat food into a bowl, feeding a cat on the streets of Gaza.
Image Credit: Sulala Animal Rescue, Gaza
DONATE TO SULALA IN GAZA

Lebanon

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 are being flooded with hundreds of 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 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.

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.

Hungry cats surround a woman who is crouched, feeding them in the street
Image Credit: Animals Lebanon
Rubble from a bombed building burns and smokes
Image Credit: Animals Lebanon
A scared and dirty cat crouches amidst rubble from a destroyed building
Image Credit: Animals Lebanon
Scared, hungry puppies eat food off the street
Image Credit: Animals Lebanon

Ukraine

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.

We all in Ukraine are living though challenging, often scary times. Even more difficult it is for the animals who can not survive without our help and without kindness and support which Animals Australia has shown us. Thank you!
Larysa Khmara - Director, Sirius Shelter
Two rescued puppies peer through their enclosure at Sirius shelter in Ukraine, one with their nose pressed between the bars.
Image Credit: Sirius Shelter, Ukraine
Rescued dogs in enclosures at Sirius shelter with the Animals Australia logo on the shelter door, Ukraine
Image Credit: Sirius Shelter, Ukraine
A puppy safe in the arms of a rescuer at Sirius Shelter Ukraine.
Image Credit: Sirius Shelter, Ukraine
Alexandra Mezinova from Sirius shelter crouched down in the snow patting a rescued dog in Ukraine
Puppy rescued from Ukraine flood by Pegasus shelter, drinking from a water bottle
Image Credit: Pegasus Shelter Dnipro
Pegasus team members carry rescued animals from floodwaters in a travel cage in Ukraine.
Image Credit: Pegasus Shelter Dnipro

Afghanistan

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.

A vet from KSAR pats two tan-coloured dogs with each hand and looks at them affectionately.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
A vet from Kabul Small Animal Rescue hold a rescued tan and white coloured cat, while another vet listens with a stethoscope
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
A vet from Kabul Small Animal Rescue tends to an unwell dog on the streets of Afghanistan.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
A vet from Kabul Small Animal Rescue holds a rescued tan-coloured dog and looks at them affectionately.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
Two men, one wearing veterinary scrubs, carry a large crate with a rescued dog.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
A KSAR vet holds a rescued cat gently in his lap and is smiling down at him
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
A vet from KSAR kneels down feeding a very unwell dog on the streets of Afghanistan.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan
Rescuers carry a crate with a rescued animal down a steep ditch covered in snow in Afghanistan.
Image Credit: Kabul Small Animal Rescue, Afghanistan

Syria

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.

The situation here is unimaginable. Our team are helping anyone – animals, people, anyone who is alive.
Rawas Kilani, Founder of Animals Syria  
Terrified white cat in the arms of a rescuer in Syria.
Image Credit: Animals Syria, Syria
A cat sits on rubble in Syria.
Image Credit: Animals Syria, Syria
An Animals Syria Cat Connect team member feeds cats on the streets.
Image Credit: Animals Syria, Syria
A woman from the Animals Syria team with a red animal crate searches amongst rubble in Syria.
Image Credit: Animals Syria, Syria
A man from the Animals Syria rescue team with a crate searching for those in need in the rubble in Syria.
Image Credit: Animals Syria, Syria

Iraq

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. 

There is still great fear that surrounds the country after so many years of unrest, but we will not walk away from the animals that need our help.
Louise Hastie, War Paws
A dog in a makeshift shelter built out of concrete blocks and a tarp, looks outside the doorway.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq
A man bends down and tends to a dog on their side, another dog nuzzles under his arm and there are many other dogs around him.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq
A War Paws team member holds two small puppies in his hands.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq
WarPaw vets tend to a dog laying on the clinic floor with medical equipment.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq
A white donkey gently sniffs the hand of a woman in a field.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq
A WarPaws team member surrounded by donkeys who are different colours in a green field.
Image Credit: War Paws, Iraq

Myanmar

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. 

A white and caramel-coloured dog peers through their travel cage in Myanmar, their paws sticking through the gaps in the bars.
Image Credit: Let's Save the Strays, Myanmar
The Let's Save the Strays team members give medical treatment to a dog on a table.
Image Credit: Let's Save the Strays, Myanmar
Underneath a Let's Save the Strays banner, people hold two rescued dogs with two vets.
Image Credit: Let's Save the Strays, Myanmar
A group photo of five members of the Let's Save the Strays team smiling.
Image Credit: Let's Save the Strays, Myanmar

Help – and hope – for animals everywhere

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.

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