Society for Animal Welfare Opens in Baghdad With Soldiers’ Help
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The Coalition forces’ contributions to the nation of Iraq are focused toward improving the lives of its citizens. In some cases, however, the benefits are not limited only to humans.
With the help of military personnel from 1st Armored Division and V Corps and funding from the 22nd Signal Brigade, Iraqi veterinarians cut the grand opening ribbon at the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare in central Baghdad Jan 21.
The society, made up of military and civilian veterinarians and ministry officials, was formed to address the growing need for animal control in Baghdad.
“It is the first of its kind in the country,” said Capt. William Sumner, arts, monuments and archives officer for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from Riverdale, Md., part of Task Force 1st Armored Division. “The society will provide services similar to our Humane Society in the U.S.”
Sumner said the studies of Iraq’s canine population revealed startling results. Because one litter of pups can multiply into 69,000 dogs within one year, the dog population in Iraq could cause problems on a national scale if left unchecked.
“Diseases like leishmaniasis and rabies are problems related to dogs and pose a real threat to Iraqis,” said Sumner. “Our organization will be able to begin addressing these kinds of animal issues.”
The Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare will aid in providing solutions to problems like canine overpopulation and disease control. It will also provide adoption and spay and neuter programs, he said.
Until recently, cultural taboos involving animal care in Iraq restricted progress and awareness. Dr. Farah Murrani, assistant director of Baghdad Zoo and director of the Iraqi Society for Animal Welfare, is an English-speaking Iraqi veterinarian who joined the zoo staff last spring and acted as a liaison between Iraqi zoo workers, U.S. Army veterinarians and civil affairs Soldiers.
Murrani’s willingness to touch and treat “unclean” animals, and her heartfelt desire to aid her country, made her a prime candidate to lead this new animal care center, Sumner said.
“I am a veterinarian, so I am doing what I know how to do in order to help the people of Iraq and aid the reconstruction,” said Murrani.
Sumner, whose experience with zoo planning and operations allowed him to play an important role in the establishment of the new animal welfare organization, said the society’s formation is a first step toward a safer and animal-friendly country.
“This is the first step in establishing an animal control program here in Baghdad. We hope it will extend throughout Iraq,” said Sumner. “The society is designed not only to help prevent animal cruelty, but to raise the overall awareness of the public for animals in Baghdad.”
