In a country battered by war, one veterinarian refused to abandon its voiceless victims.

When Syria descended into war, survival became the only priority. The conflict, which erupted in 2011, left millions displaced, cities reduced to rubble, and an economy in freefall. A devastating earthquake in 2023 only added to the chaos. Food, medicine, and shelter grew scarce, and human suffering reached unfathomable levels.

Amid this turmoil, an often-overlooked crisis unfolded—the fate of Syria’s animals. Livestock, pets, and strays alike were left to fend for themselves in a landscape where bombs fell indiscriminately and resources all but vanished. In this devastation, one man made an extraordinary choice: to stay and care for the forgotten creatures of war.

Dr. Mohamad Sedeek is Syria’s last standing veterinarian, a man who has risked everything to continue his work in a country where even the most basic medical supplies are difficult to obtain. Forced to move from his home near Damascus to Idlib due to the war, he established a small private clinic where he treats animals under near-impossible conditions. Against all odds, he remained committed to his mission, tending to hundreds of animals each month despite shortages, financial strain, and the ever-present specter of violence. Most of his patients were domestic pets – lost during bombings, left behind when families fled, or entrusted to Dr. Sedeek’s care by owners unable to provide for them. But Idlib’s streets are also full of ferals that need to be fed and medically treated.

The Calling of a Veterinarian in Wartime

Born into a hardworking rural family, Dr. Sedeek was drawn to animals from an early age. His work revolves around agriculture, livestock care, and animal welfare—fields that became even more crucial as war disrupted Syria’s food supply chains. He began his studies at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Aleppo, later transferring to Hama when conflict made it unsafe to remain. But no amount of training could have prepared him for what lay ahead.

As the war intensified, displacement became a grim routine. With every move, Dr. Sedeek faced the challenge of setting up a new clinic with dwindling resources. Essential medicines, particularly anesthetics and surgical tools, became nearly impossible to obtain. The economic blockade choked supply lines, forcing him to rely on the generosity of friends and unofficial channels to secure even the most basic medical necessities.

Yet he persisted. Each day brought a new set of wounded, starving, and traumatized animals, mostly cats – victims of the same war that ravaged their human counterparts. Many of the wounds were direct or indirect results from bombings, such as lacerations of the gums from eating morsels of food riddled with glass shards; injured limbs; or damaged eyes. Dr. Sedeek showed remarkable ingenuity, treating them with whatever he had on hand and improvising medical solutions when standard treatments were unavailable. His clinic became a sanctuary, a rare place of healing in a land defined by destruction.

The Relentless Struggle for Resources

Running a veterinary clinic in a war zone means navigating constant obstacles. Supply chains are unreliable at best; border crossings with neighboring countries are heavily restricted, delaying or outright blocking the arrival of medicine and equipment. Despite these challenges, Dr. Sedeek treats between 150 and 200 stray animals every month, in addition to livestock and pets brought in by desperate owners.

The financial burden of his work is immense. Many of the animals he treats have no owners to pay for their care, and the cost of feeding, housing, and medicating them quickly adds up. To bridge the gap, he relies on private donations from supporters who recognize the importance of his work. But even with this assistance, he often finds himself making impossible choices—prioritizing the most urgent cases while knowing that others will go untreated due to sheer lack of resources.

Yet, in the face of these hardships, his resolve has never wavered. “Helping needy animals is one of my top priorities,” he says. “I could not abandon them or leave them to suffer or die on the streets.”

The Personal Toll of a Lifelong Mission

Dr. Sedeek’s sacrifices extend beyond his professional life. The war forced him to uproot his family multiple times, each relocation a scramble to find shelter—not just for his wife and young son, but also for the animals under his care. At times, the only option was temporary housing, and when space ran out, he sought adoptive homes for some of his rescues.

His son, Shaheen, named after the revered falcon of Middle Eastern culture, has grown up in the midst of this struggle. At just five years old, he has already inherited his father’s love for animals. But unlike children in more stable parts of the world, his early memories are punctuated by the realities of war – displacement, scarcity, and the ever-present tension of an uncertain future.

Shaheen Sedeek, with parents’ express permission

Dr. Sedeek dreams of a day when these hardships will be a thing of the past. “Now that the former regime has ended, I hope my country stabilizes, returns to normal life, and becomes a leader in all fields, especially in veterinary medicine,” he says. The same determination that kept him working through war now fuels his vision for Syria’s future. His ultimate goal is to establish an animal rights organization in the country, one that would be directly linked to global advocacy groups. He envisions a future where Syrian animals receive the protection and care they deserve, not just from individuals like himself, but from an entire network of professionals and volunteers who can build a lasting infrastructure for animal welfare.

A Glimpse of Hope Amid the Ruins

With the lifting of some economic sanctions, there is cautious optimism that obtaining veterinary supplies might become easier. Dr. Sedeek and his supporters tread carefully, using private donation links to avoid bureaucratic red tape that could cut off their funding. The international community, he believes, has a crucial role to play—not just in sending aid, but in providing the legal and logistical support necessary to create lasting change for Syria’s animals.

He credits his success to the dedicated individuals who have supported his work. Among them is Ammar, his personal assistant, and Miriam, who manages donations. Together with a network of friends and allies, they have ensured that his clinic continues to operate, offering a rare beacon of hope in a war-scarred nation.

The Unyielding Spirit of One Man

Dr. Mohamad Sedeek’s story is one of quiet heroism. In a country where survival is a daily battle, he has chosen to fight for those who cannot speak for themselves. His work is not just about medicine; it is about dignity, resilience, and the belief that even in the darkest times, compassion must endure.

As Syria begins to rebuild, Dr. Sedeek’s mission remains unchanged. Whether in times of war or peace, he will continue to stand as the last line of defense for the country’s animals, proving that humanity is measured not just by how we treat each other, but by how we care for the most vulnerable among us.

“How Can I Help?”

Individuals can support Dr. Sedeek’s clinic by donating via PayPal and share this article to raise awareness. You can also contact your local vet and ask if they would be willing to donate supplies.

Veterinarians or animal health companies can help by donating supplies (which may be past their expiration date by Western standards but are still viable). The items most urgently needed are cat and dog food (especially medicalized food), medicines, surgical instruments, fracture plates and screws, urinary catheters, and general anesthesia drugs.

To arrange for shipments of veterinarian products and supplies, you may contact Dr. Sedeek directly . He speaks fluent English.

To learn more about Dr. Mohamad Sedeek’s work, follow him on Facebook

All photos courtesy Dr. Mohamad Sedeek