Shaker Al-Rawi inside his small shop in Rawah district, Anbar. (Photo: 964media)
Anbar
Rawah bird shop spurs interest in pet ownership, conservation dreams
ANBAR – In a small shop in the Rawah district of Anbar, entrepreneur Shaker Al-Rawi aims to promote pet ownership and eventually turn the town into a wildlife conservation hub.
Al-Rawi recently opened Ta’er Ghandoora, the first store of its kind in the area, specializing in birds and pets brought in from Kokjali, Mosul.
“Rawah lacks specialized stores for selling birds and pets, which is why I launched this project to meet the needs of bird enthusiasts in the area,” Al-Rawi told 964media.
The shop offers various species, including lovebirds, canaries, parakeets and the goldfinch. Al-Rawi also stocks bird food, cages and preventive medications.
He relies on “trusted vendors in Mosul” for sourcing, using specialized transport to minimize stress on the animals. “Despite the challenges, including transport costs and securing rare birds, I focus on maintaining quality for customers,” he said.
When Al-Rawi first opened, interest in pet ownership was limited. To change that, he ran Facebook campaigns and engaged directly with shoppers.
“Initially, the demand was limited due to a lack of interest in pet ownership,” Al-Rawi said. “To address this, I focused on raising awareness about the benefits of keeping birds and how to care for them through groups and advertisements on Facebook. I also interact with customers in the shop and provide them with direct consultations.”
Looking to the future, Al-Rawi plans to expand Ta’er Ghandoora to include pets such as rabbits and fish, introduce boarding and training services, offer workshops for children and launch awareness campaigns to encourage responsible ownership.
He also hopes to establish a wildlife sanctuary in Anbar. “This is one of my big dreams,” Al-Rawi said, expressing optimism about the growing interest in pet ownership throughout the region.