Gaza pets suffer from lack of vaccines and medicines

Gaza's human and animal residents are still suffering months after the start of the ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas militants.

Pet owners are struggling to feed their animals and protect them from diseases, as shortage of veterinary supplies hamper efforts to vaccinate and treat cats and dogs.

Beyond a few facilities for farm animals, there are just 2 veterinary clinics for common pets remaining in Gaza. A small animal vet says the professionals in the enclave are struggling with the lack of animal immunisation shots, and lots of pets have been lost.

Due to the limited supplies and medicines available for animals in the war torn territory, prices are too high for most of the pet owners. One owner says during the war, there was no food for days except dry bread and water, and she used to feed her cat with bread soaked in water.

According to a local vet, when owners resorted to feeding their pets with whatever they could find, there were many cases of food poisoning from things like onions, leading to many pet deaths.

These deaths not only affect the pet owners psychologically. They contribute to environmental issues. The widespread increase in rodents is a result of pet animals deaths.