The Cat Man of Aleppo touched the hearts of millions when his sanctuary featured on TV in 2016 at the height of the war in Syria.
But the conflict forced Mohammad Aljaleel, known as Alaa, to flee after his sanctuary was bombed and chlorine-gassed near the end of a siege on the city.
Three years on, he’s back running a new sanctuary helping more of his feline friends survive in the rubble of the once great city in northern Syria.
Alaa said: “I’ve always felt it’s my duty to help people and animals when they need it.
“I believe that whoever does this will be the happiest person in the world, besides being lucky in his life.”
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As well as cats, his new sanctuary has dogs, monkeys, rabbits, a chicken and an Arabian thoroughbred horse.
The haven has expanded to include an orphanage, kindergarten and a veterinary clinic.
Three years ago Alaa saw his cat sanctuary destroyed and most of the 180 cats living there were killed or fled.
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When Aleppo fell in December 2016, he left in a convoy, his van full of injured people and his last six rescue cats.
After some time in Turkey, he smuggled himself back into Syria – taking a Turkish cat with him for company
Alaa had always looked after cats, encouraging his friends to as well, even though keeping such pets is not customary in Syria.
Now he and his team of volunteers at the new sanctuary, in Kafr Naha, west of Aleppo, encourage local children to help look after vulnerable animals to teach them the importance of kindness and heal their own war traumas.
Alaa believes animals make good role models.
He said: “Friendship between them is a great thing and we should learn from them.”
