Nowzad

Nowzad The Nowzad Charity was founded in 2007 by Sgt Pen Farthing
Fighting the fight for animals promoting animal welfare in Afghanistan and Ukraine
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The Nowzad Charity was founded in 2007 by Pen Farthing, a Former Royal Marine Commando. Kilo Company of 42 Commando Royal Marines arrived in the war torn town of Now Zad in Helmand Province of Afghanistan in November 2006. Their mission, to provide stability for the local people during a period of ever decreasing security. The Royal Marines soon realised that it wasn’t only the local people that n

eeded their help. Many of the stray dogs that roamed the town of ‘Now Zad’ now had a guardian for the first time in their lives; in the form of Sergeant Pen Farthing. Upon breaking up an organised dog fight, one of the dogs ‘adopted’ Pen as his only buddy. Naming the dog ‘Nowzad’ Pen could not leave his new four-legged friend behind, so he hatched a cunning plan to bring Nowzad the dog from deep in Helmand Province to a new life in the English countryside. Miraculously, his plan was successful, but Pen was soon inundated with requests from soldiers in the same position as he'd found himself in...

Thus the Nowzad Charity was born… registered as a charity in England and Wales, but also a 501c3 in the USA and a Non-Governmental Organisation in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Operating within Afghanistan has not been plain sailing… we have faced multiple challenges during the years of conflict, not least the coalition withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The team who remained in Kabul after Nowzad’s now famous ‘Operation Ark’ campaign, have not only rebuilt from scratch but are now expanding their work within many communities, including helping to improve the welfare of working animals and the families who rely on them. We are also very proud to run Afghanistan’s only equine sanctuary too – home to 15 donkeys and 2 horses, all rescued from a life of extreme hardship as working animals. As the years have advanced so have our goals to ensuring our animal welfare work not only benefits the animals, we care for but the people too. Our rabies prevention work is testimony to that. In 2023 the Nowzad charity opened the Nowzad Veterinary Hospital in Kabul – the first and only of its kind in the whole of Afghanistan – which now treats vaccinates and neuters many hundreds of animals in need. Nowzad’s experience of working in a conflict zone has also been useful in our efforts to help the animals sadly caught up in the war in Ukraine. There are many thousands upon thousands of animals living on the streets now – simply abandoned as the local people fled the fighting, and shelters became full to absolute capacity. At the beginning of the Russian invasion, Nowzad’s priority quickly became establishing as an NGO in Lviv, which helped facilitate vital supply lines into Ukraine for humanitarian and veterinary purposes. We now use this as our base for the multiple animal welfare programmes Nowzad supports across the country. These include re-building animal shelters close to the frontlines of fighting damaged through missile and rocket strikes, and organising large scale spay-neuter-vaccinate initiatives in several key areas - to humanely reduce the burgeoning street animal populations, plus control the spread of dangerous diseases. By supporting Nowzad’s vital animal welfare work you are making a positive and much needed impact for an animal in need in either Afghanistan or Ukraine. Thank you for caring and thank you for donating.

The first evacuation of the week is officially complete! After a 9 to 10-hour drive today, Pen and Angela have safely ar...
15/06/2026

The first evacuation of the week is officially complete! After a 9 to 10-hour drive today, Pen and Angela have safely arrived at an animal shelter in Smila, Western Ukraine this evening, to unload these beautiful rescues and settle them into their new homes.

It was a journey of highs and lows. Sadly, they faced a heartbreaking detour to try and save a cat found along the way, who passed away just a minute from reaching the vet. It’s a very sad reminder of how fragile these lives are on the frontline.

And this was just the first run.

Pen’s getting some well-deserved rest tonight before another 8.5-hour drive back to Kramatorsk tomorrow with Angela, to deliver more supplies to Ksenia (thank you to absolutely everyone who donated on our recent Amazon Wish List - your items have arrived in Kramatorsk!), and to begin the next evacuation from Drooh Animal Shelter.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared, and supported us. Let's keep moving!

And there is still time to back our Operation Kramatorsk Appeal! Grab your official campaign T-shirt and an accompanying tote bag today — every single purchase directly funds the fuel, crates, and care needed to bring these animals to safety.

https://www.nowzad.com/store

15/06/2026

OPERATION KRAMATORSK is such an emotional and vital mission for us all.

Pen standing in Kramatorsk today and watching him and the staff there load up the poor dogs is incredibly upsetting. Just a few years ago, Nowzad proudly funded and built the kennels here, but due to the escalating situation, they have been dismantled and moved to safer shelters in the west to be rebuilt.

And the reality on the ground is heartbreaking. Last night was intense for everyone in the Kramatorsk area - with heavy drone activity overhead all night long. You can tell by Pen’s slightly bleary eyes, not much sleep was had.

As Pen and the team work like crazy to evacuate the dogs today, they face the agonising task of choosing who gets a spot on the current run and who must wait another night. We only wish we had a bigger van.

Along the way, Pen and Angela also took in a cat that was tragically hit by a car this morning and are now diverting to a veterinary practice in a safer region to get her urgent care. Because of the security risks, the Nowzad van is being forced to take a heavily detoured route to stay in safer areas, adding hours to an already exhausting and very hot journey.

Thank you for standing with us and making these rescues possible. We will check in with another update as soon as the cat is safely with the vets and the dogs have arrived at their refuge in the west. 🙏

Following (seamlessly!) on from our post yesterday regarding Nowzad's trip to the equine rescue charity Mane Chance in t...
15/06/2026

Following (seamlessly!) on from our post yesterday regarding Nowzad's trip to the equine rescue charity Mane Chance in the UK, we have a very special announcement to share!

Nowzad is thrilled to reveal a brand-new partnership with the deeply inspiring team at Horse Paradise rescue ranch in Kyiv, Ukraine.

A couple of days ago, Nowzad's Pen and Nina had the privilege of visiting the Horse Paradise sanctuary in person. To say they were blown away by the incredible rescue and rehabilitation work being done for the horses of Ukraine would be an understatement.

The journey these beautiful animals take is nothing short of miraculous. From the very frontlines of the conflict — where abandoned horses like Ayka in this post’s video are found, wandering around trenches and taken in by compassionate soldiers — they are then safely transported west to Kyiv by incredibly brave organisations working there, like Animal Rescue of Kharkiv (ARK).

At Horse Paradise’s specialised sanctuary in Kyiv, they then receive vital medical treatment, recovery space, and dedicated rehabilitation. The ranch has even taken in heavily pregnant mares like Tana, who gave birth to her beautiful foal, Tavrida, in complete safety, surrounded by love. Can you spot the special heart-shaped marking on her forehead?!

Despite harsh winter frosts and relentless summer heat, the team there, led by Kseniya and Halyna with Charles' support, has worked tirelessly to manage essential dental examinations, hoof care and anti-parasite treatments, plus critical veterinary interventions for severely emaciated rescues like Barkhan and Marusya. You only have to see the pictures from a couple of days ago here to see how these two horses have flourished under this team’s care.

To support this ever-growing family, the ranch has recently expanded, building three additional paddocks and seven new shelters to provide a peaceful environment for healing.

But the healing at Horse Paradise doesn't stop with the equines. The ranch also runs powerful equine-assisted therapy and recovery programmes, tailored for serving soldiers, veterans, and even their families to help them navigate the psychological traumas of war.

Watch this space for updates on how Nowzad and Horse Paradise plan to work hand-in-hand to boost horse welfare efforts during this ongoing and devastating conflict with Russia.

We will also be sharing opportunities for our supporters to directly sponsor the care of two or even three of these incredible horses, who have endured so much.

Together, we can ensure they receive the time, kindness, and safety they so deeply deserve.

What an incredible day!We had the absolute pleasure of being at the beautiful Mane Chance sanctuary in Guildford today f...
14/06/2026

What an incredible day!

We had the absolute pleasure of being at the beautiful Mane Chance sanctuary in Guildford today for their fundraising Walk and Talk event!

A massive, heartfelt thank you to Lynne Chitty for organising the entire day so flawlessly, and the always amazing Jenny Seagrove for taking everyone on such a wonderful walk, and for generously letting the event be held at Mane Chance Sanctuary, where she is a patron.

Since Pen couldn’t be there today as he heads back into Kramatorsk this evening, a special shout-out and huge thank you goes to our very own Patron, Peter Egan, and also David, who both stepped up and gave a fantastic talk about the vital work Nowzad is doing.

And, of course, to all of our incredible supporters who turned up today to walk with us — including the wonderful Ann Volunteer At Nowzad and Ewok — THANK YOU! Together, you all helped us raise over £1,000! 🎉

Every penny raised will go directly toward our ongoing work in Afghanistan and Ukraine, with a special focus on equine welfare.

As we always say but we truly mean it - we simply couldn't do this without our amazing community. 🐴❤️

It’s Caturday 😻🐾This week, we want to share one of the many rescue stories unfolding in Kabul — a story of survival, hop...
13/06/2026

It’s Caturday 😻🐾

This week, we want to share one of the many rescue stories unfolding in Kabul — a story of survival, hope, and a second chance.

It all began with a desperate call. Kind-hearted local residents in Kabul spotted a frail, suffering cat who was barely holding on. Turbi hadn’t eaten for days. His tiny body was weak, exhausted, and fighting to survive. The discharge from his nose and eyes painted a heartbreaking picture — he needed urgent medical care, and he needed it fast.

Without hesitation, our rescue team sprang into action. Turbi was rushed to our clinic, where he was placed under constant observation. IV fluids, supportive treatments, and vital medications were immediately administered as our team worked around the clock to stabilize his fragile condition.

The transformation over the following weeks has been nothing short of incredible. Turbi is gaining weight, his appetite is returning, and the dullness in his eyes has been replaced by a bright spark of life. Every small milestone has felt like a victory — a testament to his determination and the lifesaving impact of timely veterinary care.

None of this would have been possible without the compassion of the local residents who refused to look away, our incredible Kabul team, and you — our supporters. Your donations make these rescues possible and allow us to provide the critical veterinary treatment that so many animals desperately need. Thanks to your support, Turbi was given a fighting chance, and our dedicated 24/7 clinic team has been by his side every step of the way.

Sadly, Turbi’s story is just one of countless rescue cases we face. Every day and every night, our teams in Kabul respond to emergencies, provide urgent treatment, and fight for animals who have nowhere else to turn. The work never stops, and neither does the need.

Please help us continue this vital lifesaving work in Afghanistan. Together, we can give more animals like Turbi the second chance they deserve. ❤️🐱

Urgent: Charlie needs your help! 🐾We have a bit of a heartbreak to share: despite her incredible journey, lovely Charlie...
12/06/2026

Urgent: Charlie needs your help! 🐾

We have a bit of a heartbreak to share: despite her incredible journey, lovely Charlie is currently one of our least-sponsored cats. While other residents have a small army of supporters cheering them on, this beautiful girl is still waiting for her team to rally around her. We urgently need more sponsors to step forward for Charlie to help ensure we can continue providing the dedicated care she deserves.

Meet Charlie: A resilient "tri-paw" survivor and sun-seeker
Charlie was once a street cat navigating the busy, dangerous roads of Kabul. Her life changed forever one October day in 2022 when she was hit by a car, suffering a leg injury so severe that our medical team had to perform an emergency amputation to save her life. Proving just how resilient she is, Charlie healed quickly and adapted to life on three legs with remarkable grace.

Though she briefly found a home in Kabul, the resident cats were not quite ready to welcome a new friend, and Charlie eventually returned to the peace and safety of the Nowzad shelter. Today, she is a calm and gentle resident who enjoys her own space and the quiet dignity of shelter life. While she takes a little time to build a bond, she is incredibly friendly once she trusts you and is particularly gentle with children.

Being a "tri-paw" means Charlie has a few unique needs. She cannot scratch her own back, so she absolutely loves it when a human friend offers a gentle massage. She is in excellent health and stays active, though she is still a little sensitive around her surgical site. When she isn't enjoying a treat of fresh chicken, you will likely find Charlie dozing in a warm sunbeam or curled up by a heater, living a life of comfort she truly deserves.

Sponsor Charlie and Receive a Special Gift!
When you become a sponsor with a monthly or annual payment, you will receive a thoughtful gift package including:

- A personalised sponsorship certificate

- A beautiful photo of Charlie

- A unique record card direct from our Hospital

- A stylish tote bag

- An exclusive wooden keyring

All of these items are presented in a special A5 gift folder with details about your vital contribution to our work.

Looking for a unique gift? You can sponsor Charlie on behalf of a friend or loved one. Just include the recipient’s name in the shipping field, and we will personalise the certificate for them.

Choose Your Sponsorship Option:

- Monthly Support: £4 per month

- Annual Support: £39.99 per year (Enjoy a 17% discount)

Please consider supporting Charlie today. Your sponsorship makes a direct, life-changing difference to a truly remarkable street survivor.

👉https://www.nowzad.com/store/product/sponsorship/sponsor-charlie-a-resilient-tri-paw-survivor-and-sun-seeker

11/06/2026

🚨 BACK IN UKRAINE: The mission continues! 🚨
Pen is on the ground outside Kyiv, and the next intense phase of Operation Kramatorsk is underway!

Right now, the dogs evacuated from Kramatorsk are safe at a shelter in western Ukraine. But the work never stops. Pen is heading back east to help rebuild vital kennels, relocate more vulnerable dogs and cats, and support the incredible Ukrainian shelter teams who refuse to leave these animals behind.
None of this is possible without your incredible donations. You are making a massive difference on the frontline.

Want to show your support? Grab your Operation Kramatorsk t-shirt, wear it with pride, and help us ensure the world does not forget these animals. Thank you for standing with us! 🐾

11/06/2026

🐾 Special Guest Announcement! 🐾

We have some incredibly exciting news for everyone attending the Special ‘Walk & Talk’ Event this Sunday!

Our very own Ewok, the brave little rescue from Afghanistan, will be making a special appearance alongside Ann and David. This is your chance to meet Ewok in person and hear more about his incredible journey.

🛍️ Shop to Support Our Missions
We will be setting up a pop-up shop at the event where you can grab some fantastic merchandise. Every single purchase directly funds our life-saving work:
- Operation Kramatorsk T-Shirts & Tote Bags: Perfect for showing your support for our ongoing mission in Ukraine.
- “Your Own Little Ewok” Plush Toys: Take home a cuddly reminder of Ewok’s story, keep his memory close, and officially become a part of our Nowzad family.

📅 Event Details Reminder
When: Sunday 14th June 2026
Time: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Mane Chance Sanctuary, Godalming, GU3 1DL
Special Guests: Jenny Seagrove, Peter Egan, and stunning music from opera star Annette Wardell!

Tickets: £10 Members | £15 Non-Members (Includes hot drinks and a lovely afternoon tea. Please bring a packed lunch for the walk).

Join us for a beautiful afternoon in the Surrey countryside celebrating the unique bond between humans and animals. It is going to be a wonderful day together, and we cannot wait to see you there.

🎟️ How to Book: Spaces are limited, so please secure your spot by emailing [email protected] today!

💻 Cannot attend? You don’t have to miss out! You can buy all our listed merchandise online from our Online Store and support us from afar!

For many dogs in Ukraine right now, even basic veterinary care is difficult to access.Diseases like parvovirus, distempe...
11/06/2026

For many dogs in Ukraine right now, even basic veterinary care is difficult to access.

Diseases like parvovirus, distemper and infectious hepatitis remain major threats, especially for puppies, stray dogs and animals living in crowded shelters or frontline areas like Kramatorsk. These diseases can spread quickly and are often fatal without treatment.

That’s why vaccinations against these 3 killer viruses is such an important part of the work Nowzad continues to do across Ukraine.

Since the start of the war, Nowzad has vaccinated thousands of dogs, helping protect vulnerable animals from preventable disease. During Pen, Angela and Dr Lach's recent mission alone, we added hundreds and hundreds more to that number.

Every vaccination gives a dog a better chance of survival.

With your support, we WILL continue this vital work across Ukraine! 🇺🇦🐾

https://www.nowzad.com/support-us

10/06/2026

🚨 HUGE UPDATE FROM UKRAINE! 🚨

Pen Farthing is back on the ground, and the next phase of Operation Kramatorsk is officially live!

After being held up for seven long weeks in Germany and Poland, our custom Veterinary Response Vehicle has finally arrived. We are busy assembling the final pieces so we can deploy this lifesaving ambulance to the most high-risk areas in Ukraine.

After additional preventative work, the engine is now purring like a kitten and ready for the road ahead. 🐱🚑

This achievement belongs to all of you who supported us. Thank you for standing with the animals of Ukraine. Follow our journey. There is much more to come from the ground in Ukraine.🐾

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