A lot is going on in Afghanistan, but there is always good news, even in the most challenging times. A former Royal Marine has been campaigning to have hundreds of animals evacuated from the country. So far, the defence secretary said UK officials would help him.
Paul’ Pen’ Farthing has shown his love for animals, whether cats, dogs, or more, running an animal shelter in Kabul. He launched the campaign to try and safely remove his staff and the animals that were safe already. After the collapse of the Afghan government, he pushed even further this matter, and it seems that he succeeds.
Everything about ‘Operation Ark’
Operation Ark is the name of the campaign that Paul launched to save the animals and his staff. Brit Farthing chartered a $500.000 plane to land at Kabul Airport to fly his staff and the rescue animals out of the country. However, it’s held up by paperwork due to the consequence of the collapse of the government.
Ben Wallace said, “Now that Pen Farthing’s staff has been cleared to come forward, I have authorized MoD to facilitate their processing. At that stage, if he arrives with his animals, we will seek a slot for his plane. If he does not have his animals with him, he and his staff can board an RAF flight”.
Wallace has also said that the animals might have to wait behind since the UK priorities the evacuation of people. Whit this being said, all of the Farthing staff had been granted visas; however, Operation Ark remained a sticking point. Even though the operation is on hold, a supporter in the UK, veterinary Dr Iain McGill, said that “people were ready to take in the animals”.
