The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

• The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

Photos Mohammed Alaa Al Jalil periodically appear in the press - simply because no one else, no longer makes the job - does not care for abandoned animals in Syria. A year ago, his shelter for abandoned cats has been destroyed because of the shelling, while local residents helped by joint efforts to restore the building. Now Mohammed wrote that fighting again crept closer, but throw the animals are totally dependent on the man, he is not going.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

Its small shelter in Aleppo Mohammed Alaa Al Jalil (Mohammad Alaa Al Jaleel) again restored in May last year. This is a common building, partially fenced, with enough space for several dozen cats. The district is the place became known as Il Gattaro D'Aleppo. His first house called the House of Mohammed Ernesto - in honor of his cat Ernesto - but the house was completely destroyed during the shelling of a year ago, and at the same time a few animals died.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

Now the shelter is more than 60 cats, four rescued monkeys, a few rabbits, pigeons and dogs. Moreover, Mohammed takes care of more than 30 cats, which still continue to live in the houses in the neighborhood, although many people have long since left. Now, according to the men, hostilities again crept close to his shelter, but the animals have little understanding of the dangers of creeping and means to translate all in another place he is not there.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

"On the streets of the shells lying around, like garbage," - says Mohammed, - "The walls of our house is completely beaten It marks not only on the individual snipers, but also on the heavy artillery Sometimes our whole team (shelter workers) just can not.. go to work, all hiding in the cellars of their own homes. Our veterinarian Dr. Youssef was once forced to literally go under fire, hiding behind trees and buildings to get to the shelter. "

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

For Mohammed remain barricaded the house can not be - he feels obliged to take care not only about themselves but also about all the animals that are sheltered. This means that he needs food for animals and fuel, to the house is not chilled. In addition, there is Mohammed and the main work - he driver of the ambulance at the local hospital, which means that the bulk of his day passes, rescuing and transporting the victim from the fire people, and often they have to take out also from the zone of fire.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

"Some of the animals are accustomed to gunfire sounds - Mohammed says -.. But others are constantly in fear, they then try to stay in the building, especially when the sound is too close sometimes even stress refuse to eat at such moments they just.. need care and attention. "

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

The neighborhood cats prefer not to leave their homes, despite the fact that there is no longer inhabited. "They seem to follow the cats in our shelter, but never go inside - are sitting on the wall, I give them to eat, they eat, but then still go.." Mohammed himself is constantly worried about that nothing happened to the animals. "Sometimes, during the battle, we find dead cats on the street. It's not our cats, but the animals still all feel and because they have almost ceased to leave the shelter."

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

Transfer shelter is theoretically possible, but practically faced with several obstacles. "I just do not know a place where it would be safe, I can not predict where will move military action," - said Mohammed. - "Syria border has been closed, the free movement is impossible."

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

So while Mohammed, along with all the volunteers working in the orphanage, as well as veterinary care for animals under conditions that are. Their shelter is also sterilizes the animal and make it free for all who turn to him. They survive through donations. To keep the spirit and sense of opportunity of peaceful life in his orphanage Mohammed became also grow flowers.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

"The Garden in the shelter is very important - Mohammed says -. Flowers remind us that spring is here, however, even in the spring here is nice to be -. Cats have a place to play, there is always green grass, there are trees on which they love to climb . " In more peaceful days, Mohammed also invites students to visit his orphanage. Now you just have to hope that everything will be war, and will not affect their little raft.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

One of the cats in the garden shelter.

The man remained in the war-torn Aleppo to take care of abandoned animals

Mohammed Alaa Al Jalil.