4 Dogs Coming To RI Shelter From Kabul, Afghanistan

MIDDLETOWN, RI — Four dogs rescued from the streets of Kabul, Afghanistan are on their way to Rhode Island. On Thursday, Linus, Zeus, Diesel and Tope will be welcomed to the Potter League For Animals in Middletown.

"We are in a community with big hearts for all animals and these dogs may have come from far away, but I am certain they will be welcomed to the safety of Aquidneck Island like old friends. Accepting these dogs is just one of the many ways the Potter League is reaching out to animals in need, and we will continue to help whenever we are able," the organization's Executive Director, Brad Shear, said in a statement.

The dogs come from Nowzad the first animal shelter and rescue resource center in Afghanistan. The organization was founded in 2007 by Sergeant Pen Farthing, who hoped to reunite soldiers with their "battle buddies" and bring the mission of animal welfare to the country.

The Potter League and Nowzad have been sister shelters since 2017, working collaboratively to help bring soldiers and the cats and dogs they befriended on the battle field back together. To date, Nowzad has orchestrated more than 1,200 reunions.

"The Potter League has been proud to be able to help bring attention and funding to our sister shelter, Nowzad, in recent years," Shear said. "Now we are able to help in yet another way, bringing dogs to Newport where they can find great new homes."

The four dogs will be in isolation for five days, as required by Rhode Island state law. They will be put up for adoption as soon as they are spayed or neutered, up to date on vaccinations and microchipped. In the meantime, the Potter League encourages Rhode Islanders who are looking to adopt to visit some of the many cats and dogs currently available for adoption at their shelter.

Diesel, pictured above at the bottom right, was just a puppy when he was found in a garage in Kabul. He had been hit by a car, which broke his pelvis and caused a lot of pain. Since then, he has made a full recovery and was named for the black patches of diesel fuel that stained his white fur at the time that he was found.

Linus, pictured at the bottom left, has been at the Nowzad shelter for more than six years. In Afghanistan, she had a family who loved her, but they were forced to give her up after moving from a house to an apartment.

Tope, shown at the top right, was found on the streets, struggling to survive. At the time, he was a shy, scared puppy who loved playing with a ball. He has since grown into a "big gentle giant" who loves being around people and other dogs. He is named "Tope," the Dari word for "ball," after his favorite toy.

Like Diesel, Zeus, at top left, was found wandering the streets of Kabul, seriously injured. At Nowzad, veterinarians treated him for a broken femur, where he made a full recovery.