Months after the Taliban conquest of Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan last August,is still working to vaccinate the stray dog population against rabies and implement humane animal control by neutering the dogs – keeping both humans and animals safe.
Mayhew Afghanistan initially suspended its operations in Kabul for safety reasons in August; a month later, they receved permission to resume their work and are now heading back to the same volume of work as before August.
A Mayhew statement says, “The team worked at a reduced capacity between September and November, but from December 2021, the charity’s operations are now returning to its usual levels.”
“In 2021, Mayhew’s team in Kabul have vaccinated 14,503 dogs against rabies, and 1,345 since September. Last year 9,468 dogs were neutered, 1,697 between September and December alone.
“The Community Engagement team has also continuing with its vital work in delivering information about rabies, dog bite prevention and how to behave around street dogs. Last year, this community programme has reached over 1,700 children and adults ensuring better outcomes for both the communities and animals in Kabul.”
Mayhew officially registered as a non-government organisation (NGO) in 2016, but has been present in Afghanistan since has been working in Kabul since the early 2000s. As well as working to improve animal welfare, they offer “employment, training and volunteering opportunities” for Afghan vets and students.
Mayhew Afghanistan’s Country Director, , said, “Since August, the team in Kabul has done amazing things in spite of the many challenges it has faced. As a charity, we have been working within the new Government’s framework so we can carry on our much needed work.
“We have continued to make a great strides here in our work with dogs as well as the local communities in Kabul.”