Phoenix's Story
By Mary Anne Miller

During the campaign in March 2003 when the United States launched Operation Iraqi Freedom, Israel, found itself once again facing the possibility of war. Its people were already used to living with daily terrorism, but now this very real threat of Scud missile attacks was plunging the country into an even darker fear.

Israel's citizens are varied, strong and capable of survival. But there are those who live in the shadows, often homeless, sometimes desperate and viewed as easily discarded pests. These are Israel's cats; the sentient beings that we North Americans coddle as treasured pets, companions and appreciate as a comforting presence when we need them. However, should there be war launched against Israel by the retaliatory country of Iraq, Israel would experience a series of horrors that we have had only a small taste of during that fateful day now known simply as 9/11.

Israel’s feral cats, estimated to be around 900,000 strong would potentially be injured or even killed. Not to mention the pet cats, sensing the panic in their owners and hiding so effectively during the frantic time of evacuation of the home, that no one can find them. Many of them forced out of their homes, abandoned, left to fend for themselves as their owners flee in terror, completely oblivious to their cat's plight.

During the Gulf War in 1991, one cat did survive the terror of a missile attack. His home was hit directly and although it is speculated that his people were able to flee during the 2-minute warning siren, he defied all odds by rising shaken and injured from the rubble and ashes. He was spotted by a compassionate soul, and captured quickly. Thus the rescued, mackerel tabby was then dubbed Phoenix, and as a war veteran was given shelter at The Cat Welfare Society of Israel, whose director is a courageous woman by the name of Rivi Mayer. It's been 12 years since that horrible day, and Phoenix has found a permanent home with the volunteers of the shelter.

Chaos ensues after an attack of such magnitude, and while others tend to the needs of the humans caught in the aftermath, Rivi and her crew are determined to bring aid to the ones who cannot help themselves, the frightened and injured felines.

It is imperative to get veterinary care to the wounded quickly, so search parties need to be mobilized to seek out those cats that are hiding, left without food or even water, and too hurt or scared to fend for themselves.

The logistics alone are their own nightmare as the volunteers attempt to round up lone cats, leave food out for those who will not be caught, aid the wounded, and set out traps for the ones who are hiding.

As with any rescue operation, the Cat Welfare Society of Israel needs so many things to continue their heroic efforts. Cat carriers, food, kitty litter, pans, bowls, traps; all are items needed, and all require to be purchased. Sealed rooms are in the process of being built as well, so that the cats would be protected should a biological attack take place.

It almost seems to those of us who live a sheltered life on calmer shores, that they are fighting a losing battle. After all, battling the cultural differences alone, the ensuing disdain of cats would to be enough of a hardship. Yet these brave volunteers, although they will likely be in shock themselves, will have to trap cats that are hideously hurt, in amongst nitric acid, fires, screams of the wounded or trapped, and the sickening smell of death and burning flesh. But they will persevere because they care. We comprehend that caring and we know what motivates them.... We understand the human spirit is invulnerable, and when prepared in advance, can go into autopilot, to do what needs to be done. We saw it during and in the aftermath of, 9/11. Where ordinary citizens performed extraordinary acts. We watched, or were a part of, the bravery, the tears, the determination to help right a wicked wrong.

We also are aware that efforts and tasks such as these require money. In Israel, the welfare of cats does not receive any funding. Yet, the felines there are no less needy, suffer no differently then do the treasured companions on this continent.

We may not be able to drive to the shelter and donate bags of supplies. But we can search our hearts and reach out and send money; the necessary funding that will mean the difference between life and death for these cats, relieve intense suffering and bring relief from pain, give them a choice between a miserable existence on the streets or the kindness of a loving home.

The courageous souls who are willing to brave the post-bomb hysteria to save Israel's cats will do the legwork. But it is up to us to help provide the funding that will set this rescue endeavor into motion.

As we begin to take tentative strides towards becoming a global community, we can no longer ignore the pleas and the cries of the suffering of beings around the world. We can help them all to be like Phoenix, to rise out of and above the tragedies and discover a world of love and compassion....

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This story was first published on February 2003 as part of the fundraising campaign for the CWSI.