Tal Afar’s first animal care center opens as pet ownership grows across Iraq

NINEVEH – Eighteen years after graduating without securing a government job, veterinarian Akram Fadel has found a new calling in Tal Afar’s burgeoning pet market. Together with colleagues, Fadel has opened the city’s first animal care center, “Tal Afar Vet,” catering to the needs of an expanding community of pet owners.

The center offers comprehensive services, including medical treatments, vaccinations, and surgeries, alongside specialized pet food and supplies. Fadel described it as a full-service facility for pet care.

“Since 2020, I’ve observed a growing interest among Tal Afar residents in pet ownership,” Fadel told 964media. He said this trend inspired him to establish the center, which also provides grooming powders, pet accessories, and various cage sizes for housing and transporting animals.

The center is staffed by a team of veterinarians, including professors from Mosul University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and specialists in general surgery.

Pet ownership is growing across Iraq, with cities like Baqubah in Diyala governorate reporting a surge in pet adoptions. This shift in cultural attitudes has made pets popular as gifts for engaged couples and fueled demand for services like those offered at “Tal Afar Vet.”

In Baghdad’s northern Al-Hussainiya neighborhood, residents have also embraced pet ownership, including some adopting predatory species. This has led to the rise of specialized shops and clinics catering to the care of a wider variety of animals.