Two Veterinary Clinics Stay Open in Gaza
Pet owners in Gaza face difficulties feeding animals and obtaining medical care as shortages affect the few remaining clinics. Veterinarians report that many medicines and vaccines are unavailable despite approvals for some animal vaccines.
The IndependentJust two veterinary clinics for household pets remain operational in Gaza, a territory of over 2 million people, while a handful of other facilities focus primarily on livestock. At one clinic in Gaza City this month, staff provided basic medical care and grooming for cats and dogs, and treated other animals including a rooster.
Veterinarians say many medicines and vaccines commonly used to prevent and treat disease remain unavailable, even though the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, COGAT, said it approves the entry of animal vaccines into Gaza. Because of the shortages, many pets have died, said veterinarian Dr. Motasem Qadoura.
"Like us, cats also were being starved," she said. The veterinarian agreed. "We experienced famine in Gaza and during that period, unfortunately, pet owners had to search for alternatives to feed their pets, and some of these alternatives weren't suitable," Qadoura said.
" Another visitor, Heba Hathat, said her cat remains unvaccinated, and she cannot find affordable litter or cat food.
