Northwest Syria’s love for puppies, kittens blooms a year after earthquake

Dedicated team rescued more than 1,300 animals after last year’s quakes, and many of them are now finding loving homes.

Idlib, Syria – Hundreds of cats and dogs are running around, chasing each other and playing in Ernesto’s Paradise For Animals Under War on the outskirts of the city of Idlib.

They are well-fed and obviously under the care of a vet – and Muhammad Wattar, who runs the shelter, is proud of providing that.

When two massive earthquakes struck northwestern Syria and southern Turkey on February 6, 2023, Wattar’s team mobilised to save more than 1,300 animals on the Syrian side of the border, working 16 hours a day to find and transport them.

“At first, people weren’t interested in rescuing the animals because humans needed quicker rescue, but then they started encouraging us,” Wattar said.

It is not clear what led to the change, but several people Al Jazeera has spoken to have pointed to a widely held belief that animals can warn their owners of an impending natural disaster.