Nowzad Dogs Animal Rescue

Animal History Matters!

The Nowzad Dogs Animal Shelter - nowzad.org

Nowzad Dogs proudly boasts the first and only official dog shelter for strays in Afghanistan. Our well designed and purpose built shelter provides a safe, sheltered environment for 100 stray dogs and current soldier animal rescues we are assisting on the outskirts of Kabul. Adjoining our small animal clinic we also have a purpose built cattery housing nearly 30 former street cats rescued by locals or soldiers.

There is no greater connection between man and dog than in the midst of war. Afghanistan is an unforgiving land to live in – not only for humans, but animals too. There are many cats and dogs on the streets of Afghanistan, often abused, always battling to survive. It is no surprise that they often cross the path of the military - many soldiers feel compassion for these helpless souls and find themselves adopting and bonding with these animals.

Nowzad Dogs proudly boasts the first and only official dog shelter for strays in Afghanistan. Our well designed and purpose built shelter provides a safe, sheltered environment for 100 stray dogs and current soldier animal rescues we are assisting on the outskirts of Kabul. Adjoining our small animal clinic we also have a purpose built cattery housing nearly 30 former street cats rescued by locals or soldiers.

The Nowzad ‘Conrad Lewis’ Clinic for small animals (located in Kabul) is funded solely by your generous donations. We are proud to employ four Afghan nationals who have been trained as vets and can now expertly perform major surgeries as required in the treatment of injured or ill Afghan animals. Two of our Afghan vets are actually female which is a first for Afghanistan and just demonstrates the improving education opportunities for young women in Kabul.

Kilo Company of 42 Commando Royal Marines arrived in the war torn town of Now Zad in Helmand Province of Afghanistan in November 2006. Their mission; provide stability for the local people during a period of ever decreasing security.

The Royal Marines soon realized that it wasn’t only the local people that needed their help. Many of the stray dogs that roamed the town of Now Zad now had a guardian for the first time in their lives; in the form of Royal Marine Sergeant ‘Pen’ Farthing.

Breaking up an organised dog fight that was taking place right outside their remote compound, Pen never realized that one of those fighting dogs would then befriend him. The Royal Marine couldn’t say no to those big sad eyes and the now very former fighting dog became the Royal Marines four legged buddy and got a name – “Nowzad”. From that moment on Pen realized that other soldiers serving in Afghanistan would probably be experiencing the same feelings as he was towards a companion animal they were caring for on the front lines. In May 2007 Pen formed Nowzad Dogs to help make a difference in Afghanistan.

Nowzad Dogs is a registered 501c3 non-profit in the state of Illinois, USA overseen by a board of directors and we are a registered charity in England & Wales – number 1119185 overseen by a board of trustees.