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A cat shelter in Gaza run by Palestinian rescuer Maryam Barq, also known as \u201cThe Cat Lady of Gaza,\u201d was hit by an airstrike on Sunday night, the Dutch animal welfare organization Animal Heroes said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Maryam stayed in the war zone to care for 65 rescued and disabled cats. During the attack, she fled with five cats to her sister\u2019s house, which is only slightly safer. Her father stayed behind to protect the other animals, fearing the plane might come back.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m scared, anxious, and nervous about the cats,\u201d Maryam told Animal Heroes. \u201cI hope God protects them.\u201d<\/p>\n The shelter, supported by Animal Heroes, has been feeding its cats with local food since the war began. Two deliveries of animal food and medicine from the Animals in Gaza Alliance \u2014 a group including Animal Heroes, Safe Haven for Donkeys, and Animal Aid Without Borders \u2014 have been stuck for months at the Egyptian border. With supplies running low, local food is the only option.<\/p>\n \u201cMaryam is a young woman who can barely walk due to severe muscle loss caused by malnutrition. She has been dizzy for months and has developed kidney problems,\u201d Esther Kef, founder of Animal Heroes, said in a\u00a0statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has been surviving on bread and lentils for more than a year\u2013 and even the bread has completely run out. We cannot even begin to imagine what it\u2019s like to live like this,\u201d Kef said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the second time she has physically been attacked by an airstrike. She survived both attacks. At the same time we are watching helplessly as a brave, selfless young animal rescuer<\/a> is slowly dying of famine,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n In January, a veterinarian working with Animal Heroes, A\u2019aed Mahmoud Abu Nejem, was\u00a0seriously injured<\/a>\u00a0in a bombing. The explosion hit a veterinary clinic where the team was helping wounded animals. Abu Nejem suffered severe injuries to his legs, hand, and eye.<\/p>\n The Animal Reader is an independent animal news platform based in the Netherlands. We share daily updates about animal-related issues.<\/em><\/p>\n No food left<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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