Stray animals find solace at Iraq animal shelter

The Baghdad Animal Rescue aims to become a veterinary clinic

An injured stray dog rests in a cage at the Baghdad Animal Rescue, west of the capital Baghdad, on January 16, 2022. - Iraq is trying to emerge from almost two decades of conflict and has been mired in a political and economic crisis, and animal welfare is far from a priority either for most people or for the authorities. More than a decade ago, thousands of stray dogs were gunned down with automatic weapons after municipalities including Baghdad decided that their numbers were too high. (Photo by AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP)

A veterinary surgeon volunteering at the Baghdad Animal Rescue examines an injured cat.

Having a pet is unusual in Iraq, and many of the cats and dogs that roam Baghdad's streets are mistreated.

The cat is one of a handful of animals at the newly opened shelter.

The shelter could eventually expand to care for hundreds of animals.

A volunteer vet examines the injured dog.

The land that the new shelter stands on was bought with about $17,000 in donated money.

Volunteers use their own money to pay for veterinary care for animals.

Once the dogs and cats have recovered, they are put up for adoption.

Bella the dog can barely stand after being abused, but she is now receiving care from a Baghdad refuge that hopes to become Iraq's first veterinary clinic for stray animals.

The Baghdad Animal Rescue opened around a week ago, and Bella, a nervous, fox-like dog who raises her muzzle for strokes while still shaking in fear, is in caring hands.

“We are going to care for all kinds of animals and release them when they are well,” says Nazik, 37, who is among the volunteers.

Having a pet is unusual in Iraq, and many of the cats and dogs that roam Baghdad's streets are mistreated.

More than a decade ago, thousands of stray dogs were shot with automatic weapons after municipalities including Baghdad decided that their numbers were too high.

For now, the shelter is home to a handful of animals, including a black cat called Zaatar – “Thyme” in Arabic – blinded in a car accident.

In a corner, Loulou the cat looks around fearfully after losing a paw in an accident.

Volunteers do their best to provide care, comfort and solace to the distressed creatures.

“People report injured animals to us after accidents. We bring them here and treat them,” says Sally Faysal, 27, another volunteer.

If the animals need more specialised care, they are taken to a veterinary surgeon.

“The team members share the cost of the treatment,” Faysal says.

Innocent

The refuge, just west of the Iraqi capital, consists of a main room where the animals receive treatment, along with a storage area and cages.

It could eventually hold several hundred animals, and aims to one day become a veterinary clinic for strays.

But for now, it lacks funding.

The team was able to buy the plot of land for 25 million dinars (about $17,000) thanks to donations.

Nazik says no public funding has been forthcoming “despite all the promotion we have done on social media".

Iraq is trying to emerge from almost two decades of conflict and has been mired in a political and economic crisis, and animal welfare is far from a priority either for most people or for the authorities.

The UN says about a third of the population lives in poverty, despite the country's oil wealth.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, there are three reserves for wild species such as deer, but no facilities to care for urban animals.

Volunteers say that before the refuge opened, their families responded with perplexity and even hostility if they brought an injured animal back to their homes.

Once the dogs and cats have recovered, they are put up for adoption – but will stay on at the refuge if a home can't be found.

“There needs to be an awareness-raising campaign to stop animal abuse,” Nazik says. “They are innocent, after all.”