War reshapes human lives overnight. It also reshapes the lives of animals who rely on people for safety.
Across Iran and neighboring Israel, the current conflict has triggered a quieter crisis. Pets are being abandoned, shelters are overwhelmed, and rescue workers face the same sirens and uncertainty as everyone else.
Animals do not understand war. They only react to the noise and fear.
War leaves countless pets frightened and displaced.
Bomb Sirens and Frightened Animals
Air raid warnings and bombardment have changed daily life for people and pets.
In Jerusalem, animals react quickly when alarms sound. “There have been very many loud sirens each day, to go into our bomb shelters,” caregiver Tova Saul told Animals 24-7.
Inside Iran, shelters face greater challenges. The Vafa Animal Shelter outside Tehran said providing even basic care for dogs has become difficult amid the turmoil, the same report notes.
Animals panic during explosions and alerts. Some run away. Others become injured or lost.
Rescue Groups Overwhelmed
Animal welfare organizations in Israel say the war has triggered a surge in abandoned pets.
Since the fighting escalated, shelters have received many calls from people trying to surrender animals they can no longer care for, Haaretz reports.
“Instead of people calling about animals needing medical help – a lot of calls were people trying to get rid of their pets,” said Yael Arkin, CEO of Let the Animals Live.
Some families face displacement or financial stress. Others are called to military reserve duty.
At the same time, shelters report declining donations and fewer adoptions.
The number of animals keeps rising.
Bomb sirens trigger panic among pets and livestock.
Small Rescues During Wartime
Rescuers continue working despite the strain.
Two stray dogs and their litters were discovered recently in an open area near Beersheba. The mothers — Santana and Brittany — survived outdoors while caring for 11 puppies before rescuers arrived, according to Ynetnews.
The animals were taken to a veterinary clinic and later placed in foster homes.
“The two mothers arrived exhausted and very weak,” Dafna Deuel of SOS Pets, told Ynetnews.
Volunteers say fostering animals during wartime can help families cope with anxiety.
Restrictions on Pets in Iran
The crisis is complicated by long-standing limits on pet ownership in Iran.
Authorities have expanded bans on walking dogs to at least 18 cities and sometimes restrict transporting dogs in vehicles, according to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
Officials say the rules maintain public order. Critics disagree.
“The establishment is targeting the most harmless members of society whose only desire is to show affection to another living creature,” veterinarian Payam Mohebbi told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
The restrictions date back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when dogs became associated with Western cultural influence, The Week reports.
Shelters face rising numbers of dogs and cats needing help.
Animals in the Crossfire
Animal advocates in Iran have long faced pressure. Environmental researchers studying endangered wildlife have been arrested in the past, reflecting the difficult climate for conservation work, according to Animals 24-7.
Now the war adds another layer of hardship.
Shelters struggle to find food. Volunteers work under the threat of attacks. Families sometimes leave pets behind while trying to survive.
For animals caught in the conflict, rescue often depends on the dedication of a few people willing to keep helping even when sirens sound.
