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.
After a fatal accident, a devoted dog makes an expressive demonstration of affection and sorrow by trying to resuscitate his fallen partner
In a heart-wrenching video, a dog desperately attempts to revive its lifeless friend, who was tragically struck by a passing car.
The devastating footage captures the canine’s futile efforts as it paws at the motionless body of its companion, which lies at the roadside, while traffic rushes past, oblivious to the sorrowful scene unfolding.
Despite its relentless attempts, there is nothing the dog can do for its friend, whose life has already slipped away, leaving the surviving pup in a state of profound grief.
The video, seemingly recorded by a truck driver who may or may not have been involved in the accident, portrays the surviving dog as it mournfully tugs at its friend’s lifeless shoulder. The small, black mongrel, lacking a collar, lets out mournful barks, as if lamenting the cruel hand of fate that has befallen its companion.
This poignant moment challenges the notion that dogs are loyal only to those who provide them with sustenance. It adds to the vast collection of anecdotal evidence that suggests dogs possess a depth of emotion and connection that goes beyond mere tricks and treats.
The fate of this particular dog, who stood faithfully by its departed friend, remains unknown. The video serves as a poignant reminder of the profound bonds that can exist between these remarkable creatures, demonstrating that their capacity for love and companionship transcends the boundaries of human understanding.
In the comments section of the video, a viewer shared their own experience of how their pet dog responded when they pretended to be unresponsive. It’s a testament to the empathy and concern that dogs often display towards their human companions, further underscoring the deep emotional connections they can form.
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