One Man Has Done The Unthinkable By Staying Behind To Rescue And Care For Hundreds Of Homeless Cats In War-Torn Syria
The Syrian civil war has dragged on for years, and Aleppo has felt the damage in a deeply personal way. As families fled the city, many were forced to leave their pets behind, including hundreds of cats with nowhere to go.
That is where Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel stepped in. The ambulance driver, now known as the Catman of Aleppo, stayed behind to feed, shelter, and care for the abandoned animals, turning a small act of kindness into a full-time rescue effort.
His story has spread far beyond Syria, and it starts with a man who simply refused to walk away.
Alaa feeding orphaned cats in the streets of Masaken Hanano
Alaa spent $4 daily from his savings to buy meat for his furry friends, as their numbers grew to over a hundred due to the ongoing conflict. This led him to establish II Gattaro d'Aleppo-a non-profit cat sanctuary to which feline lovers can donate.
Many fleeing civilians leave their cats in his care before moving abroad. In an interview with the BBC, he talked about a little girl who left her kitten with him because it wasn't possible to take it along-"She cried as she handed the cat over to me," he said.
He also described the last promise he made to her before she left. The little girl told him, "Please promise to return my cat to me when we come back." Alaa nodded, and later on, he sent her photos of the healthy-looking cat.
The "Catman of Aleppo" in his feline sanctuary
Over time, Alaa has watched several of his friends flee the country to start new lives. However, he has decided to stay in Syria with his furry companions, a decision he feels is more rewarding than fleeing for his own safety.
"I'll stay with them no matter what happens. Someone who has mercy in their heart for people has mercy for every living thing," he said.
And if you need a softer palate cleanser, read about the stray cat saved roadside and turned into a forever home.
That choice says everything about him.
Watch how this selfless man puts his life on the line for orphaned cats each day.
Alaa has dedicated his life to the animals, which he believes are fellow victims of war. "I regard animals and humans in the same light. All of them suffer pain, and all of them deserve compassion."
The catman doing what he does
Such is the heartfelt appeal and selflessness of this man that a global community rallied to support his candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He is an incredible, selfless human being who can act as a shining example in these troubled times. The world needs more compassionate people like Alaa to restore faith in humanity.
His quiet rescue work turned into something much bigger.
Want more gut-wrenching heroics? Watch rescuers fight to pull Pamuk from the rubble.
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