Featured photojournalist: Behrouz Mehri

Suppertime at the Vafa animal shelter in the town of Hashtgerd. In the Islamic Republic, where dogs are seen as 'unclean', a motion to ban the waggly tailed ones from public places has been put forward. If it becomes law, first-time offenders will be fined 5m rials (almost £300) and given 10 days to get rid of their pet or face its confiscation to an unknown fate Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

A solitary dog sits in his cell at the Vafa animal shelter Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Stray dogs welcome Akbar, one of Vafa's employees Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

A visitor to Vafa plays with the canine inmates Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Hugs for a stray bitch who lost her puppies Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

A volunteer bringing food donations greets one of her four-legged friends Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Over at the Tehran pet hospital, Iran's first private veterinary institution, Jessi the terrier submits to a haircut Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Elsewhere in the building, Gabik, a Doberman-German shepherd cross receives serum via a drip Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Down in reception, Tehran resident Farnaz consults a vet about her Pomeranian dog Maggie Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Merdad strokes his dog Sayli, who is receiving treatment for lumbar disc degeneration Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Churchill the bulldog is prepared for surgery to repair his urethral prolapse Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

A terrier is given a pep talk as it waits to see the vet at the pet clinic Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images