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AIBU?

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Original poster

This Pen Farthing guy

999 replies

TheGenealogist · 25/08/2021 10:54

The bloke with the animal shelter in Kabul.

Refusing to leave unless he can take ALL of his 60 odd staff and ALL of his 200+ cats and dogs with him. Hmm Expecting the government to make special rules for him and his friends.

Getting people out - understandable. The Taliban aren't going to look kindly on people who have translated for the military, or "collaborated" in other ways. But staff at an animal shelter?

And as for the refusing to leave without the animals and making this all out to be the UK government's fault? For not falling over themselves to arrange transport for a bunch of ownerless animals nobody wants when there are human beings in fear of their lives?

What is this guy playing at?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Plumtree391 · 25/08/2021 16:15

If the animals are in the hold, and people not allowed to travel in the hold of an aeroplane, I don't see the problem.

TheAstronaut · 25/08/2021 16:16

There’s also been mention of using another airport on Twitter. That’s from someone involved with Pen.

BrozTito · 25/08/2021 16:17

Thinks hes in a bloody film the fucking clown

Zwellers · 25/08/2021 16:20

As usual the British public prioritise animals over people. The man is a disgrace.

Brighterblighter · 25/08/2021 16:20

It's dangerous for people to own dogs in some hard line Islamic states?

SpeckledlyHen · 25/08/2021 16:21

@Brollypackedforscottishholiday

Update says he will be coming home. And his animals.
Thank goodness. I have donated and been praying for the last week they would all arrive back safely.
XenoBitch · 25/08/2021 16:21

@EsmaCannonball

Of course a solution to this would be for Taliban to have a less fucked up attitude to dog ownership. It's actually dangerous for people in some hardline Islamic states to have pet dogs.
It is the dogs, but also the female staff. Many are trained vets and nurses. The taliban don't like women working at all, let alone have any sort of education.
lynsey91 · 25/08/2021 16:22

@FinallyDecided

I think he's a hero with more empathy in his pinkie for both humans and animals than a lot of people I know. I donated to his cause and fervently hope he gets everyone, staff and animals, out safely.
Great post. I could not agree more.

I donated too as did DH and lots of friends and family.

He could have just been selfish and got himself out and left all the staff and animals behind. He didn't though because he cares about the humans AND the animals. He put them before his own safety. How many of us can honestly say we would do the same?

Even so some posters seem to love sneering and criticising him

BrozTito · 25/08/2021 16:22

Some US planes can carry 60 plus ton tanks, how many people is that?

DishingOutDone · 25/08/2021 16:23

I should imagine @TheGenealogist feels very important now, particularly as they can ally themselves to eloquent posters like BrozTito. You've definitely found your people.

Comedycook · 25/08/2021 16:24

@Plumtree391

If the animals are in the hold, and people not allowed to travel in the hold of an aeroplane, I don't see the problem.
Considering some were willing to cling on to the side of the plane...I reckon they'd happily get in the hold
chaosrabbitland · 25/08/2021 16:24

@TheGenealogist

Course he is. And playing the "i'm ex military" for everything it's worth.

Sense of responsibility towards staff (or volunteers, that's unclear too) is understandable if they are at more risk of persecution than any other Afghani. But are they? And expecting the UK government (or anyone else to be fair) to be that fussed about a bunch of rescue/cats dogs when people are desperately trying to leave is just utterly selfish.

sorry but i love animals , they have lives and feelings too , so if it were up to you they would all just starve in the bloody street because their lives are worth fuck all in comparasion to humans ?
im glad there are people like him in the world who care passionatly about animals and want desperatly to help them have good homes where they are loved and fed . just a shame there arent more people like him and less of the couldnt care less their only animals varity im happy to support him , if the uk goverment can offer councils a bunch of money to sort out accomadation for refuges when we dont even have enough social housing for people already here , then why can they let his staff and animals come here , his staff might very well be at risk , one of his vets is one of very few female afghans , shes almost certainly at risk you could say , at the very least she probably wont be working for much longer , but hey you seem to feel its only other afghans that somehow count more , but not his staff for some reason
Classica · 25/08/2021 16:25

Once British people hear that there are dogs in peril they start writing impassioned emails to their MP demanding intervention. Humans in peril don't have quite the same effect on their heartstrings.

IsayIsayBoy · 25/08/2021 16:26

It saddens me that so many people on this thread are so vicious towards a man who is only trying to do what he feels is the best solution. Vilifying a man for actually making the effort to help his colleagues and animals really isn't necessary. He has already stated that if necessary the animals will be PTS. I find it impossible to understand how terrifying the situation must be in Kabul. We can only watch from the comfort of our homes. Pontificating is all too easy whilst sat working out how many hours we contribute to society by working in a charity shop! Dig at you there Op.

Tele12345 · 25/08/2021 16:26
  1. Currently planes are full. In the last 24 hours 19,000 people have been evacuated. Points about earlier planes being empty are out of date.

All the staff have been offered places on these planes, days ago. He has delayed the staff's departure, for the sake of the animals.

  1. Just because he has money and wealthy backers, does not in my opinion mean that he has any more right to resources than desperate families with children. He is making demands which the military have told him will hold up the process of others evacuating. I believe the military not people on the internet who say 'it will be fine'.

Pen is asking that the military take time away from processing the 10,000 people (including babies) currently stranded at the airport, with only hours left to evacuate, to process his cats and dogs. He is asking that the cats and dogs bypass desperate families, and are prioritised. Is this morally right?

Plumtree391 · 25/08/2021 16:27

*TheGenealogist

Course he is. And playing the "i'm ex military" for everything it's worth.*

Well he is ex military so who can blame him?

Comedycook · 25/08/2021 16:28

@Classica

Once British people hear that there are dogs in peril they start writing impassioned emails to their MP demanding intervention. Humans in peril don't have quite the same effect on their heartstrings.
It's true. Makes me sick actually
BrozTito · 25/08/2021 16:28

Rather that then some of the disgusting abuse of animals abroad ive seen. People are now genuinely trying 'those awful british with their empathy' out now?

MichonnesBBF · 25/08/2021 16:31

@zwellers

"As usual the British public prioritise animals over people. The man is a disgrace."

Ummmm! Are you deliberately forgetting the people, women included who he refused to leave behind?
No disgrace in doing your best, he could have left ages ago and left his staff to fight their way out on their own but he didn't and you believe that makes him a disgrace? Really?

chaosrabbitland · 25/08/2021 16:32

@FinallyDecided

I think he's a hero with more empathy in his pinkie for both humans and animals than a lot of people I know. I donated to his cause and fervently hope he gets everyone, staff and animals, out safely.
agreed , im donating on fri when i get paid and i would happily adopt a cat from his rescue , when i checked the nowzad website there seemed to be quite a few needing homes , i hope hes managed to bring the cats too ,
Alwaystheplusone · 25/08/2021 16:34

Yes he has a chartered plane but he does not have a slot. Only military planes have slots. The US is in control of the slots, so self-appointed animal saviour Carrie Johnson can pester her husband all she wants but he has zero influence over the US. Paul Farthing should not be fast-tracked over anyone else trying to get out of Afghanistan.

EsmaCannonball · 25/08/2021 16:34

What is going into the hold on all the other planes? From what I've seen people aren't able to take much luggage. I think it's a valid argument that in desperate times people can travel in the hold (I bet the insurers would say otherwise) so surely nothing inanimate is as important as people (even military equipment).

thereisonlyoneofme · 25/08/2021 16:35

Not read full thread, but what will happen to the animals in the UK
Where will he find a place for 200 odd animals that also will have to go into quarantine ?

powershowerforanhour · 25/08/2021 16:35

Pen is asking that the military take time away from processing the 10,000 people (including babies) currently stranded at the airport, with only hours left to evacuate, to process his cats and dogs.

What time consuming "process" takes place for the cats and dogs?

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 25/08/2021 16:35

This man's charity is responsible for putting how many men and women through veterinary school? I can't find the figures now but iirc it's a lot.

I doubt the posters on here moaning have done anything for the people of afganistan. Those women and men are very unlikely to be allowed to practice if left behind, they are probably more likely to be killed. They want to try and take some of the animals with them. Good on them