Fingers crossed for Pen Farthing and Nowzad

I’m afraid I’m not.

The situation there is so awful, and of course I want the animals to be safe; but as long as desperate mothers are handing their babies over razor wire to soldiers I feel that the animals should have to wait.

Most definitely

I agree with Doodledog I'm afraid more people could be on that plane.

I am with Doodle on this.

I am more than happy that Pen Farthing and his staff are being evacuated later today.

I am an animal lover, but I cannot agree that animals should be prioritised over humans especially after viewing harrowing footage from Kabul.

The animals are going in the hold where human passengers can't go. They aren't taking the place of people as far as I know.

Find though I am of animals, I'm more concerned about the Linda Norgrove Foundation staff. The two women are currently in hiding and too afraid to go out.
If the animals can go in the hold, fair enough.

That's what I heard, Grandmabatty.
I fervently hope that everyone who wants to leave is able to do so.

What will happen to these animals when they get here?
Aren’t animal shelters here already over-run with unwanted pets?

JenniferEccles

What will happen to these animals when they get here?
Aren’t animal shelters here already over-run with unwanted pets?

No doubt that has already been sorted if they have the ability and finances to charter an aeroplane The animals stand far better chance here than they would do in Afghanistan.

The animals aren't taking the place of humans and part of the agreement was that his staff get flown to the UK too. I have my fingers crossed

So long as the animals go in the hold,that is good news. Leaving them behind at the mercy of the Taliban was not an option , so it was a choice of having the animals put down or a rescue plan. Glad the plan seems to have won.

I agree that if the animals are in the hold then that’s different I hope the plane is filled with people.

I hope he makes it out safely.

I read his book years ago and admired what he planned to do then but no, I just get very angry when I see him on TV now.

I like (most) dogs and wouldn't want to think of animals being hurt but I am with Doodledog on this. He should fill his chartered plane with his staff and mothers, children and babies not animals.

If the animals are in the hold all well and good but people are crammed into these aircraft without seats anyway.

I understand the plane he's chartered and which is being paid for by a wealthy benefactor has a 250 seat capacity. As he is flying out his 69 staff, the rest of the plane will be filled with others who need a flight out . The animals will travel in the cargo hold. He's a genuinely good person!

I completely agree shoppinggirl. I heard him on the radio recently where he said that his problem is actually getting into the airport to board the plane. Every best wishes to him (and of course to all others in similar situations).

I don't believe he or his animals are in as much danger as many of the Afghans who are desperate to leave so I feel he is jumping the queue while women and children will be left behind.

AGAA4

I don't believe he or his animals are in as much danger as many of the Afghans who are desperate to leave so I feel he is jumping the queue while women and children will be left behind.

He's chartered a plane and any empty seats will be given to people who are there and want to leave.

Do people think there's a priority list where somebody ranks people according to their suitability for evacuate and they all queue up in order? He was a Marine Commando. I think the Taliban would be very interested in him if he stays behind.

How much space do 60 cats take up anyway?

But he is a UK citizen and all his staff and their dependants have UK visas, so how is he jumping the queue?

"Nowzad supporters on Tuesday announced a privately chartered Airbus A330 – funded by donations – was on standby to fly to Kabul to rescue the group’s workers and animals."

Can't believe the negative comments on here! Pen Farthing is a wonderful person, doing wonderful work out there! The animals are not being rescued at the expense of people, or jumping any queues.

Exactly - they are using a dedicated flight, not one provided by the RAF.

It is a chartered plane, but they still need safe passage through the airport and air space. He has the attention of the media, I sincerely hope the spare seats on the plane are put to good use.