We are facing the biggest crisis in our history, and we urgently need your help.

Two weeks ago, I travelled to Iraq after receiving devastating news. Just days after I left in January, we were notified that we are being evicted from the land where our shelter and clinic currently operate.

For almost 7 years, this land has been home to hundreds of animals who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

Now, that home is at risk.......

What Your Support Built

When we first took over the shelter in 2019, it was nothing more than a patch of dirt surrounded by a broken fence.

With your support, we transformed it into a haven for many hundreds of animals in need.

Today the shelter includes:

• Large kennels and defined sections for the animals

• Fully concreted grounds for hygiene and safety

• A functioning veterinary clinic

• Staff accommodation

• Improved access roads

• Shaded areas and 13 swimming pools for dogs living outside the walls

Over the years, we have invested $300,000 – $350,000 building the shelter, a shelter that not only belongs to the dogs but also to YOU.

Every £, $, € came from people like you who believe these animals deserve a chance.

The Crisis We Now Face

The local government has offered us a new piece of land just 300 meters away, but only under the same temporary, semi-formal agreement that caused this situation in the first place.

We are negotiating for a proper long-term agreement, but the reality is clear:

If we are forced to move, we will have to rebuild the entire shelter from scratch.

And we simply do not have the $350,000 needed to do that.

We also do not know how much time we will be given before we must move.

What Happens If We Cannot Rebuild

This is the hardest part to say.

If we cannot secure land and raise the funds to rebuild the shelter, we could face the heartbreaking possibility of euthanizing the 130 dogs currently inside the shelter, along with hundreds more outside who rely on us for food, water and medical care.

As development continues in the area, these animals will lose their only source of food, water and shelter.

The government shelter has briefly been mentioned to us as an option……..that will never happen.

War Has Made Things Even Harder

This trip was also meant to bring a new veterinarian onto the team and host a World Spay Day event, which we successfully did on February 24.

But just days later, war broke out in Iran.

Flights were cancelled when the airspace closed, and Erbil has experienced missile and drone attacks targeting military bases, the airport, and nearby hotels on a daily basis.

For safety, we arranged for Dr Teresa and our potential new vet Dr Andy to leave via the land border into Turkey. Thankfully, they made it out safely.

I remain here.

I do not know how long war will continue but I do know I will NOT abandon our staff or our animals during this time.

Our Biggest Battle Yet

Over the last six years, War Paws has faced many challenges.

Every single time, we fought and we won because we had you fighting with us.

But this is the biggest battle we have ever faced.

And we cannot win it alone.

🐾 How You Can Help Right Now

We must begin raising funds immediately so we can:

• Secure safe land for the future

• Rebuild the shelter if we are forced to move

• Protect hundreds of animals who depend on us every day

Every donation, no matter how much, brings us closer to saving their home.

❤️ Please Help us Save the Shelter

These animals have already survived war, abandonment, and unimaginable hardship and cruelty.

War Paws became their safe place, a place where they learned love.

Now we must fight to protect and their home.

Please stand with us.

Please donate if you can.

Together, we can save their future.