Animal shelter rescue seeks approval

Supporters of a former Royal Marine attempting to evacuate 200 animals and his staff from Afghanistan have called on the Foreign Office to “rubberstamp” the rescue operation.

Paul Farthing, known as Pen, founded the Nowzad animal shelter in Kabul after serving with the British Army in Afghanistan in the mid-2000s, with the organisation rescuing dogs, cats and donkeys.

Since the collapse of the Afghan government, he has been campaigning to have all his staff and their families, as well as 140 dogs and 60 cats, evacuated from the country in a plan he has dubbed Operation Ark.

On Monday, a jubilant Mr Farthing announced the UK Government had granted visas for all his staff and their dependants, but supporters suggested he needed approval from the Foreign Office before they could leave.

Vet Dr Iain McGill said a privately chartered Airbus A330 – funded by donations – was on standby to rescue the group.

“We’ve been working behind the scenes and the prime minister has approved it, Defra has approved it, the veterinary profession has all signed off on it, and there are people ready and waiting to take the animals,” Dr McGill said.

“The Home Office have approved it and it is just the Foreign Office. Once the Foreign Office rubberstamp it and get it to Pen, he’s in the airport within hours.

“Pen has got transport for all the staff and animals and himself safely to the airport. They just need that document to show to the military so they will let them in.

“In the airport they can wait for a few days until the plane arrives, they just need to get safe.”