Pen Farthing aims to raise £200,000 to fly his team and animals to safety.
The founder of UK charity Nowzad is calling on the Government to help evacuate his staff and animals facing imminent danger in Afghanistan.
Pen Farthing, a former Royal Marine, is campaigning for the Government to help withdraw 71 team members from his shelter and veterinary clinic in Kabul following the Taliban takeover.
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, he said: “We have no idea what’s coming next in the next few days, I’m trying to hold it together.
"There’s been absolutely no communication from anybody in the Foreign Office about my Afghan staff, who are now in the most desperate position. They need to be taken out of Afghanistan. They have got to leave because of what we have done to this country. They are in danger.”
Mr Farthing has launched a crowdfunding campaign, entitled Operation Ark, to raise £200,000 for a cargo plane to fly as many of its rescue dogs and cats to safety. Support for the campaign has been received from animal welfare campaigners and veterinary organisations across the UK.
On Monday (16 August), the BVA, RCVS and the BVNA wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for those who have worked with UK-affiliated charities and NGOs - including Nowzad and the Mayhew - to be included on the emergency evacuation list.
The statement reads: “Under the current conditions, working for and being affiliated with western charities and NGOs may come with risks to the safety of Afghan veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals and their families, and so it is imperative that they are given the chance to evacuate and resettle in the UK as refugees as a matter of urgency, should they want to.
"These Afghan veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals have made an invaluable contribution to animal health and welfare, as well as public health, in Afghanistan, and, as fellow veterinary professionals, their safety is an utmost concern."
Animal welfare champion Dominic Dyer, who is leading a campaign called ‘Rescue the Animal Rescuers’ said: "Over the last decade through the incredible work of Nowzad and the Mayhew a new generation of Afghan men and women have been educated and empowered to bring about a significant improvement in animal welfare in Afghanistan.
“These men and women have worked tirelessly and courageously in the most dangerous of conditions to save and protect animals and have become an inspiration to the world. We cannot leave these brave and compassionate people behind to face violent reprisals, rape or murder at the hands of the Taliban, as a nation of animal lovers we must step up and rescue the animal rescuers."
His words were echoed by veterinary scientist Dr Iain McGill, who said: “The Mayhew and Nowzad have done fantastic work for the animals and veterinary science of Afghanistan. A rescue plan needs to be put in place immediately - they cannot now be left at the mercy of the Taliban.
“As the Taliban enter Kabul, the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence must get them out of there within hours. Whether by helicopter or cargo plane - UK Government has a duty to act now, and the veterinary profession needs to pile on pressure for that.”
Mr Farthing launched Nowzad in 2006 after adopting a former fighting dog while serving in Helmand Province.
The charity manages a shelter currently looking after over 140 dogs and more than 40 cats supported by a veterinary team of 24 Afghan nationals - including Afghanistan’s first female veterinary surgeons.
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
