The dogs and cats from animal shelter Kabul Small Animal Rescue (KSAR), who couldn’t be evacuated in August, have finally left Afghanistan and arrived in Canada on Tuesday.
In August, when the United States announced they would leave Afghanistan, KSAR founder, the American Charlotte Maxwell-Jones, tried to get their dogs and cats out of the country but couldn’t.
“When the evacuation failed back in August, our hearts broke. The last few months have been a roller coaster ride — one filled with sweat, tears, and very little sleep,” Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International (SPCAI), which was one of the organizations that helped KSAR, said on Facebook.
KSAR staff continued caring for their cats and dogs in Afghanistan. With SPCAI, War Paws and other animal welfare organizations, a new plan was made to evacuate the animals.
Since the United States had banned animals from Afghanistan, the organizations decided to bring the animals to Canada. After five months, they were finally able to fly almost 300 animals out of Afghanistan.
“And they’re here! The first glimpse of our 286 brave little souls as they complete their epic journey round the globe and start their new lives,” KSAR wrote on Facebook Tuesday night as the plane landed at Vancouver International Airport.
Part of the animals have owners who have already left Afghanistan and will be reunited with them, and the rest will be put up for adoption in North America.
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