In 2017, amid the sounds of gunfire and the constant danger of snipers, Dr. Amir Khalil, veterinarian and Director of the Reveal and Rescue Response unit at global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS, together with a skilled expert team, embarked on a mission marked by extraordinary circumstances. In the devastated city of Mosul, Iraq, they undertook what seemed an impossible task: rescuing the last two surviving animals from a zoo destroyed by conflict.
For FOUR PAWS, safety and diligent preparation are paramount principles that guide every operation. Yet, despite its prior experiences in crisis zones, this mission proved to be by far the most difficult. The team spent two weeks navigating administrative hurdles on site, an exhausting game of patience. At first, the soldiers and officers on the ground were skeptical. Why go to such lengths to save just two animals? Yet slowly, attitudes began to shift. Members of the military started bringing food for the animals. For Dr. Khalil, these small, compassionate gestures were deeply symbolic. In the middle of chaos and destruction, they revealed that kindness towards animals can be a quiet but powerful expression of humanity: “When people care for animals in the darkest times, it’s a reminder that humanity still exists.”
The organization’s sole focus on animal welfare helps build bridges across divides, even in regions fractured by conflicts. This is where FOUR PAWS’ principle of neutrality becomes one of its most powerful tools. Animals, innocent collateral victims, can create common ground, opening doors and softening attitudes in places where dialogue is otherwise impossible.
Laying the groundwork for emergency animal relief
When FOUR PAWS began operating in conflict and disaster zones in 2003, it soon became clear that to conduct such difficult missions, the organization needed to develop a clear strategy. It also needed to build a team of veterinarians, wildlife experts, rescue workers, and crisis managers, trained to work worldwide in challenging situations.
On behalf of FOUR PAWS, Dr. Khalil and his team have led several high-risk missions, strengthening the organization’s reputation to navigate complex political and security landscapes. The skilled expert unit was involved in the rescue of animals during the Arab Spring in Tripoli and Cairo in 2011 and carried out multiple operations in the Gaza Strip between 2014 and 2015. In 2017, after the evacuation of the zoo in Mosul, they coordinated the rescue of animals from an abandoned park near Aleppo, Syria. In 2022 and 2024, they oversaw two major interventions in Sudan. Everywhere the team went, they witnessed how the presence of animals could change the mood of the soldiers, and bring joy to displaced children.
Safety first: navigating chaos with care
Conducting animal rescues in disaster-stricken or conflict zones demands not only compassion, but also rigorous preparation and a sharp understanding of the risks involved. Dr. Khalil describes the reality on the ground: “When a natural disaster strikes, nothing works anymore. Government agencies are overwhelmed or non-functional, communication networks collapse, roads are destroyed, and people are in survival mode.”
In such environments, the dangers are numerous. FOUR PAWS teams often operate in unpredictable environments, facing harsh weather conditions, health risks, and unstable terrain. Even a minor incident, like a snakebite, can become a serious operational challenge, requiring constant vigilance and flexibility.
FOUR PAWS teams must be entirely self-sufficient, bringing in all essential supplies: from medical equipment and food to shelter materials such as tents and sleeping bags, as well as protective gear and insect repellents. Each mission begins long before the team arrives on site, through extensive coordination, trust-building, and close collaboration with local authorities and humanitarian partners already active in the region. As information is often limited and conditions can change quickly, adaptability is essential.
In active conflict zones, the challenges are even more acute. All team members receive specialized training to operate in hostile environments, including courses in first aid, risk assessment, and even kidnap prevention. Operational strategies are designed to minimize risk at every stage. During such missions, the team is in regular exchange with external security experts and continues to monitor any developments that might affect their work and safety on-site. FOUR PAWS takes the safety and wellbeing of its staff very seriously and will take all measures to ensure their physical and mental health before, during and after the rescue missions.
Animals at the heart of community survival
In times of conflict or natural disasters, rural communities often face devastating losses, including their homes and livestock. Dr. Khalil explains: “Consider the plight of a farmer who loses both his house and cattle, how will he sustain his family? Animals are not just assets; they are essential for the survival of entire communities. Amidst such hardships, I have witnessed countless acts of kindness towards animals worldwide. Neighbors come together to support each other and their animals, showcasing the best of humanity.” Human existence is deeply intertwined with that of animals; people often refuse to evacuate without them.
Dr. Khalil remembers that while on a mission in Türkiye after the earthquake of 2023, the team helped a woman who waited six days by the rubble to save her cow.
The need for global cooperation
On behalf of FOUR PAWS, Dr. Khalil was recently in Geneva to take part in the Humanitarian Networks and Partnerships Weeks and shared the organization’s unique perspective in a session entitled ‘Beyond human health: A holistic approach to disaster response and recovery.’ Experts from many organizations met to discuss the need for enhanced cooperation among entities.
Addressing merely the symptoms of crises is insufficient. In Geneva, stakeholders were convening to foster this cooperation proactively before crises escalate. Dr. Khalil explains:
“Key strategies include raising awareness within local communities to promote prevention, solidarity and preparedness, adopting a One Health approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, tackling the root causes of complex challenges. Collaboration, and leveraging scientific advancements such as telecommunications and drone technology for efficient information management and resource distribution are also essential.”
From reaction to prevention: reframing animal rescue strategies
In the face of growing challenges posed by conflicts and climate-related disasters, organizations like FOUR PAWS are at the forefront of animal rescue and welfare efforts. Their mission goes beyond alleviating immediate suffering; it must also address structural vulnerabilities
that can contribute to the emergence of future crises. The recent adoption of the Pandemic Agreement at the World Health Assembly in Geneva marks a turning point. For the first time, the One Health approach is now anchored in an international, legally binding instrument, thereby recognizing the importance of animal welfare for disease prevention. This recognition reinforces what organizations like FOUR PAWS have long advocated: that protecting animals is vital for preventing future pandemics and building a safer, more sustainable world. And by integrating their needs into prevention and humanitarian response plans, we do more than save lives, we safeguard the very fabric of the environment that sustains us all.