In Iraq, there are more than 500,000 stray dogs, and more than 100,000 in Baghdad alone — the government doesn't keep numbers of stray cats The majority of these stray dogs and cats are tame, friendly, harmless and hungry. They arrive at places like the Phoenix Veterinary Clinic and Vet Hands in Central Baghdad with broken legs, split skulls or internal organ failure from being kicked, dragged and otherwise abused. Due to often overstated cases of dog bites, rabies infections and even of animals “eating children” the Iraqi Interior Ministry now regularly conducts culling campaigns, using poison and “starvation silos” to eliminate thousands of dogs.

Matters could possibly worsen. With the cuts in aid to Iraq impending, embassies, UN compound- and NGO-workers that have been saving strays could be leaving the animals. It’s a prospect that breaks the hearts of many dog-and-cat-lovers across the world. Two ex-pats and three local animal activists started the Iraqi Street Animal Rescue Operation (ISARO) to not only save and protect these sentient, loving animals and help them find homes, but also to educate the general public about their potential to become a cherished friend, a companion and/or service animal.