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Nowzad Dogs is a UK-based charity that rescues stray dogs from Kabul, Afghanistan.
The organization was founded by Pen Farthing in 2007 after he witnessed the harsh conditions and cruelty faced by the dogs in the city.
In Kabul, stray dogs often live on the streets, scrounging for food and avoiding danger.
Nowzad Dogs aims to provide a safe haven for these animals, giving them a second chance at life.
Origins
During his deployment to Afghanistan in 2006, Farthing and his troops broke up a fight between two dogs in the town of Nawzad.
Farthing and one of the dogs, named Nowzad after the town, spent the following six months together.
After the end of his deployment, Farthing brought the dog home to the UK, where it inspired him to create Nowzad Dogs.
The experience had a profound impact on Farthing, leading him to establish the nonprofit company Nowzad Dogs.
Kabul's First Animal Shelter
Kabul's First Animal Shelter was a game-changer for the city's stray dog population.
Located in the heart of Kabul, Nowzad Dogs' shelter provided a safe haven for hundreds of dogs in need.
The shelter was founded by Pen Farthing, a British marine who had grown attached to the dogs during his time in Afghanistan.
It was a place where dogs could receive medical care, food, and love, and be given a second chance at a happy life.
The shelter quickly became a beacon of hope for Kabul's stray dogs, and a model for other animal shelters in the region.
Every year, the shelter cared for over 500 dogs, providing them with a chance to be adopted by loving families.
Mission and Goals
Nowzad Dogs is a non-profit organization dedicated to relieving the suffering of animals in Afghanistan. Their mission is to provide rescue, rehabilitation, and education facilities for animals in need.
The organization operates a small animal clinic, dog and cat shelter, and the first ever donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan. Nowzad also provides veterinary care and treatment to companion animals and strays.
The team is made up of 24 experienced Afghan staff, along with countless volunteers worldwide. They have five fully qualified Afghan vets and an intern program to train future generations of veterinary students.
Here are some of the key goals of Nowzad Dogs:
• Reunite unofficially adopted dogs and cats with servicemen in their home countries
• Operate a working clinic providing first class care and treatment to companion animals and strays
• Educate the people of Afghanistan on animal welfare, particularly children, to teach them not to abuse animals and how to care for their working animals
Their ultimate goal is to leave a lasting legacy in Afghanistan, improving the lives of both animals and people.
What We Aim to Solve
Working in Afghanistan is a complex challenge that requires us to overcome many daily problems, including logistical, security-related, economic, and cultural issues.
We're the only official animal shelter and sanctuary of its kind, which means our income often can't keep up with the demand for our vital work for the animals of Afghanistan.
With a team of 24 experienced and passionate Afghan staff, we're well-equipped to tackle any problem that comes our way.
Organization's Goal
Nowzad's goal is to relieve the suffering of animals in Afghanistan, including companion animals, working equines, stray and abandoned dogs and cats, and all other animals in need of care and attention.
The organization aims to provide and maintain rescue, rehabilitation, and education facilities for the care and treatment of animals with no voice but theirs. This includes a small animal clinic, dog and cat shelter, and the first-ever donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan.
Nowzad's main aim is to help the animals who are not so lucky, particularly those who are suffering from animal-related diseases, such as rabies. The organization wants to humanely reduce the stray dog population and completely cut the number of deaths from animal-related diseases.
The organization is dedicated to providing animal welfare in Afghanistan, with a passion and enthusiasm driven by the amazing support from volunteers and donors worldwide. Nowzad is continuing to educate the people of Afghanistan on animal welfare, particularly the children, to teach them not to abuse animals and how to care for their working animals.
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Nowzad's team is committed to overcoming the many problems they face on a daily basis, including logistical, security-related, economic, and cultural challenges. With a team of 24 experienced and passionate Afghan staff and countless volunteers worldwide, they can overcome any problem presented to them.
The organization is leaving a legacy that improves the lives of not only the animals of Afghanistan but also for the people. Nowzad wants to be responsible for completely cutting the number of deaths from animal-related diseases, especially rabies, and humanely reducing the stray dog population.
What Does
Nowzad's mission is centered around reuniting unofficially adopted dogs and cats with servicemen in their home countries. This is just one of the many ways they make a positive impact.
They also operate a working clinic that provides first-class care and treatment to the companion animals of Afghans as well as strays. It's a vital service that helps keep these animals healthy and happy.
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Over 100 veterinary students pass through the Nowzad clinic every year, thanks to their partnership with Kabul Veterinary University. This provides students with hands-on training they might not otherwise receive.
Nowzad has also partnered with Goodheart Animal Sanctuaries in the UK to create the first-ever donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan. This sanctuary is home to seven donkeys, a horse, and a cow.
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Services and Capabilities
Nowzad Dogs is a remarkable organization with a strong foundation in animal welfare services.
The organization has a small animal shelter in Kabul, which is the only one of its kind in Afghanistan.
This shelter is complemented by a fully professional small animal clinic in Kabul, which includes a dog shelter housing 140 dogs and a cat shelter with 50 cats.
The clinic also features the first donkey sanctuary in Afghanistan.
Five fully qualified Afghan vets work at Nowzad, along with an intern program to train future generations of veterinary students.
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These vets are among the most qualified in Afghanistan, and they're dedicated to providing compassionate animal welfare services.
In addition to the veterinary team, Nowzad has 19 Afghan staff members who support their work.
Daily meetings help the team address cultural issues that arise, such as working in close proximity with women and men from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
By tackling these challenges head-on, Nowzad is leading the way as ambassadors for a new generation of young Afghans who want a better future for their country.
Accomplishments and Progress
Nowzad Dogs has accomplished so much in their mission to improve animal welfare in Afghanistan. They've established the first small animal shelter in the country, located in Kabul, and the only fully professional small animal clinic in Afghanistan.
The organization has trained five fully qualified Afghan vets, including the first ever female Afghan veterinarians. This is a huge achievement, especially considering the limited veterinary resources in the country.
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Nowzad Dogs has also implemented a successful Afghan adoption scheme, where local people can adopt rescued, neutered, and vaccinated animals. This has led to an increase in the number of local people rescuing and bringing stray or injured animals to their clinic.
Their clinic has become a go-to destination for locals who need to get their animals treated, neutered, and vaccinated. Nowzad Dogs has also established a working animal program for donkeys and horses within Kabul, providing much-needed treatment and care for these overworked animals.
The organization has also launched a vital education scheme, which was successfully launched with the Wetnose Animal Aid 'Kick a Ball not a Puppy' campaign in Kabul. This campaign aims to educate people about animal welfare and responsible pet ownership.
Nowzad Dogs has been recognized for their outstanding work, being named 'Just Giving's 'Charity of the Year' in 2013 and the British Veterinary Nursing Association's (BVNA) Charity of the Year for 2013/2014. They've also been chosen as the Animal Transportation Association charity of the year in 2013.
Pen Farthing, the founder of Nowzad Dogs, has written three best-selling books highlighting the plight of animals in Afghanistan and the work of the charity. His dedication to the cause has earned him the title of 2014 CNN Hero of the Year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nowzad still operating in Afghanistan?
Yes, Nowzad's clinic in Kabul has reopened, providing vital support to horses, donkeys, and injured animals, including cats and dogs. We are actively operating in Afghanistan to deliver animal welfare services.
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