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Operation Ark - Update

You did it – we did it!!!

The Nowzad charity is beyond happy to confirm that Operation Ark was a roaring success in its mission to rescue both ‘people and animals’ from Kabul.

And we need to thank YOU for making this possible. The Nowzad family of supporters were instrumental in making this possible. THANK YOU.

The Nowzad staff crossed the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan and into the safety of the British High Commission in Islamabad on the 11th September.

It is not lost on us that 9/11 is the reason that Pen was first sent to Afghanistan and why Nowzad as a rescue organisation started. The anniversary 20 years later is the day that our dog and cat rescue in Afghanistan officially ended with the successful evacuation of the Nowzad staff.

Now with the staff safely in Pakistan awaiting their visas to be processed and the 94 dogs and 68 cats doing really well in quarantine around the UK we are turning our attention to fundraising for the future of the Nowzad charity.

We are committed as you have been to the welfare of our staff and their resettlement in the UK along with the commitment to pay all quarantine and rehoming costs of our remaining dogs and cats.

And then we will consider the future of Nowzad. With you by our side we have the ability to take on animal welfare issues in a new country or even return to Afghanistan should the Taliban not be the Taliban of old. Who knows?

Your generous support always was truly appreciated by the team. But now as Pen, Nowzad founder states;

‘We have been blown away by the love and compassion shown by the Nowzad family of supporters. We truly owe them a debt of gratitude that we will never ever be able to repay’.

Thank you everyone.

So now we will concentrate on resettling our staff in the UK (once they have arrived from Islamabad) and their retraining and skills and language upgrading along with rehoming all dogs and cats that arrived without a forever home whilst determining the future of animal welfare wherever that might be for Nowzad.

Just a few of the challenges that we face moving forward!

Our working animal programme is currently suspended whilst we work out how to register our programme with the new Taliban (IEA) government. BUT our donkeys and horses + Jaja and David are being cared for.

To donate today to the future of Nowzad and for the resettlement of our staff and the care of the animals in quarantine please visit our donation page.

Coming soon to the Nowzad shop will be the full range of Operation Ark merchandise.

Operation Ark - Update
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It has been another crazy, non-stop day for Pen, Angela, and the team on the frontlines. A little update... After kicking off the morning (once Pen finally figured out it was indeed Wednesday! 😂), the team hit the ground running with Ksenia to coordinate another critical animal evacuation before the long journey west. Just last night, a litter of newborn puppies was left abandoned right outside the rescue office. With no guarantees of finding them immediate homes, the team took them in withou
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nowzadrescue
18/06/2026
If you’ve got one spare minute in your day today, take it to watch these lucky 10 dogs in Ukraine. All thanks to you - our incredible supporters - the Operation Kramatorsk team successfully evacuated all 10 out of the danger zone in far eastern Ukraine last month, and brought them straight to safely in the west of the country. Meet these beautiful faces now resting easy in Hostomel, central Ukraine.. • Bluey (with those stunning, unforgettable eyes, brought in by the army to Lach and Angela
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nowzadrescue
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The first evacuation of the week is officially complete! After a 9 to 10-hour drive today, Pen and Angela have safely arrived at an animal shelter in Smila, Western Ukraine this evening, to unload these beautiful rescues and settle them into their new homes. It was a journey of highs and lows. Sadly, they faced a heartbreaking detour to try and save a cat found along the way, who passed away just a minute from reaching the vet. It’s a very sad reminder of how fragile these lives are on the fron
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nowzadrescue
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OPERATION KRAMATORSK is such an emotional and vital mission for us all. Pen standing in Kramatorsk today and watching him and the staff there load up the poor dogs is incredibly upsetting. Just a few years ago, Nowzad proudly funded and built the kennels here, but due to the escalating situation, they have been dismantled and moved to safer shelters in the west to be rebuilt. And the reality on the ground is heartbreaking. Last night was intense for everyone in the Kramatorsk area - with heavy
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nowzadrescue
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It’s Caturday 😻🐾 This week, we want to share one of the many rescue stories unfolding in Kabul — a story of survival, hope, and a second chance. It all began with a desperate call. Kind-hearted local residents in Kabul spotted a frail, suffering cat who was barely holding on. Turbi hadn’t eaten for days. His tiny body was weak, exhausted, and fighting to survive. The discharge from his nose and eyes painted a heartbreaking picture — he needed urgent medical care, and he needed it fast. With
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13/06/2026
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