The Cat Man of Aleppo: A Story of Selflessness

The OAA recommended book of the month is The Cat Man of Aleppo by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham. This book tells the true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who, amid the Syrian Civil War, courageously offered safe haven to Aleppo’s abandoned cats. The story follows Alaa through the war-torn streets as he uses the little money he earns from his job as an ambulance driver to buy food and supplies for the cats.

Why is this Story Important?

The story humanizes the Syrian people, whom we rarely hear about in the news here in the United States, while also highlighting important animal welfare challenges. With compassion for the difficult choices people face when fleeing war, the book combines stories of kindness to animals with scenes of community building, making this book a worthwhile recommendation.

Learn More About Community Cats

Managing cat colonies and ensuring all felines are spayed or neutered is the only way to humanely reduce the population of community cats while providing appropriate care. That is why Ohio Animal Advocates is actively working with Ohio communities to help community cats through our educational resources, low-cost trap-neuter-return directory list, and partnerships with the United Spay Alliance and Together Initiative. Check out our advocacy page on community cats to learn more!