A Man Decided to Stay in Syria to Take Care of the Abandoned Cats
In 2011, at the spark of the civil war, his shelter embraced only 20 Syrian felines. Looking at him now, Mohammad Al-Jaleel, also known as ‘the cat man of Aleppo,’ has rescued more than 100 stray and pet cats, and took them in to his shelter.
“Since everyone left the country, including my own friends, these cats have become my friends here.. I said I’ll stay with them no matter what happens,” Al-Jaleel told BBC Panorama.
These cats are not always found abandoned, sometimes people approach Al-Jaleel knowing that he is the best keeper for their cherished pets and leave them in safe hands just before the flee to another country seeking refuge.
“A small girl has come to me with her family one time, and she gave me her cat with tears in her eyes. She told me to promise her to keep her cat safe until the war ends and they come back,” he told BBC; he even sends her pictures of her cat from time to time.
Before the war the cat man of Aleppo was an electrician. But ever since the 5-year-old war, he has driven ambulances in the city, rescuing people – and cats – in need. “Someone who has mercy in their heart for humans has mercy for every living thing,” he told BBC.
WE SAID THIS: Faith in humanity restored.
