Arthur Greene
Since the city of Kabul fell to the Taliban earlier this month, Paul Farthing has fought tirelessly to secure safe passage out of Afghanistan for those who live in his animal sanctuary.
After already securing UK visas for his 68 employees and their dependents, the ex-soldier is now working to save the 140 dogs and 60 cats under his care.
Farthing founded the Nowzad shelter for dogs, cats and donkeys in Kabul after he fought in the city while serving in the British Army in the mid-2000s.
On Monday, he was delighted to announce that all 68 of his staff and their immediate relations would be granted safe passage to the UK.
However, the UK minister of defense told Farthing that there would be no room for the animals, as the government had to prioritise the evacuation of “men, women and children in desperate need at the gates” of the Kabul airport.
In response, supporters of Farthing’s plight announced on Tuesday that a private donation-funded plane was prepared to rescue his employees and the animals.
But still, defense minister Ben Wallace said there was no “magic wand” which could get the plane a runway slot.
He told Sky News that the chartered plane would “block the airfield” and “sit there empty,” while thousands of people tried desperately to leave the country.
However, in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Wallace tweeted that if Farthing arrived at the Kabul airport with his staff and animals, UK officials would be able to get them the plane.
He also said if Farthing and his staff arrived without the animals, they would be able to get on a flight with the UK airforce.
Farthing has said previously that the cats and dogs would not take up seats that could be occupied by people, as they would be transported in the aircraft’s hold.
Image source: @wednesdayjojo
