Nasiriyah man builds first animal refuge as rescues outgrow his shop

DHI QAR — A young man in Nasiriyah has turned a small pet shop into what supporters describe as the city’s first animal refuge, housing hundreds of cats and dogs and building a permanent shelter focused on care and sterilization.

Aqeel Jawad said he began taking in animals after seeing customers abandon pets soon after buying them. He initially kept rescues inside his shop on Baghdad Street, then moved them to a rented house in the Mansouriya area as the number grew.

“I had a pet shop on Baghdad Street, and some people would buy animals from me,” Jawad told 964media. “After a few days their children would lose interest, and the animal would be thrown into the street.”

He said the problem expanded as residents began bringing him animals directly.

“People started bringing me cats and dogs. Even though the shop was small, I gathered more than 90 cats, and I couldn’t take more,” he said.

Supporters later helped him rent a house, he said, but the numbers continued to rise.

“I rented a house to shelter them, and the number became more than 200 cats. I have now stopped receiving more,” Jawad said.

Jawad said he has since bought land to build a permanent facility.

“I bought a plot of 1,250 square meters in the Jawadine area and started collecting donations to complete the construction. There is only a little left, and once it is finished, I will move the cats there,” he said.

He said the daily costs are heavy and that donations often cover only food.

“I provide food, treatment for the sick and protection from the street, which has no mercy,” he said. “A few days ago, three cats were run over in front of me, and no one moved to save them.”

“Sometimes people donate food, but treatment and cleaning I handle alone,” Jawad said. “I hope charitable organizations will support me. In Nasiriyah there is no animal protection, and some people deliberately abuse or kill cats.”

Jawad said he treats stray dogs but does not always keep them.

“People are afraid of stray dogs, but I treat them and then let them go,” he said.

He said donations and visits are coordinated through his social media pages under the name “Nasiriyah Animal Rescue Team.”

“The shelter is open to anyone who wants to help, visit the cats or bring food,” Jawad said.

He said he also hopes to change attitudes through education.

“I want to spread awareness among youth and through school trips so students can see the cats in good condition,” he said. “My income is modest, and what I earn I spend on these lives seeking reward.”

Veterinarian Aqeel Khazal said Jawad’s operation is unique in the governorate.

“Aqeel is the only person in Dhi Qar governorate who takes care of abused and stray animals or those injured in accidents,” he told 964media.

Khazal said injured animals are frequently brought for treatment and that local veterinarians volunteer their services.

“Most people who see injured cats call him, and he brings them to me. With Dr. Huda, we treat the cats for free,” Khazal said.

He said completing the shelter would reduce common dangers.

“It will save cats and dogs from being run over or hit by stray gunfire,” he said.

Khazal said veterinarians have also discussed nonlethal ways to manage stray dogs if authorities support sterilization.

“The idea is to sedate them and perform sterilization with government support, so the dog lives its life, which can reach 10 years, without reproduction,” he said.