Compassion in World Farming, RSPCA and World Animal Protection have appealed to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to safely evacuate a Kabul animal welfare charity’s staff and their families as a matter of urgency.

A joint letter, signed by Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming, Steve McIvor, CEO of World Animal Protection, and Chris Sherwood Chief Executive of the RSPCA, explains how Nowzad staff and their families, who stayed behind to care for the animals in their care, are now in danger due to the tragic situation in Afghanistan.

Nowzad - founded by former British Royal Marine Pen Farthing - works to relieve the suffering of animals in Afghanistan including companion animals, working equines and abandoned cats and dogs. The charity has also raised awareness of the importance of animal care and welfare through the provision of information and education to the people of Afghanistan. Celebrities Dame Judi Dench, Peter Egan, and Ricky Gervais have also thrown their support behind their plight.

The Nowzad animal shelter has succeeded in saving the lives of thousands of animals, and they have found new homes for animals both nationally and internationally.

RSPCA Chief Executive Chris Sherwood said: “We are delighted the Prime Minister yesterday drew attention to the plight of the Nowzad team in Parliament and we now urge the UK Government to convert these warm words into action to help the staff from Nowzad, their families, and the animals in their care escape this tragic and dangerous situation as a matter of urgency.”

Steve McIvor, Chief Executive of World Animal Protection, said: "The tragic events in Afghanistan mean that the lives of 200 dogs and cats and staff at British animal welfare charity Nowzad are currently in critical danger in Kabul. We urge the British Prime Minister to do all he can do to arrange the safe evacuation of the staff and animals at the earliest possible opportunity."

Philip Lymbery, Global CEO of Compassion in World Farming, said: “Like so many, we are deeply concerned about recent events in Afghanistan. We urge the UK government to demonstrate global leadership on animal welfare by arranging for the urgent and safe evacuation of Nowzad staff and their families, along with all the animals from the charity’s centre in Kabul.”

For more information, please email Media.Team@ciwf.org or call 01483 521 615.