Get to know
The Cat Man
From Aleppo
„Humanitarian work is all my life.
If you don't stay compassionate or act with humanity - there's no life.“
Mohammed Alaa Al’Jaleel, known worldwide as the “Cat Man From Aleppo”, was once an ambulance driver and rescue worker during the siege of Aleppo. While many people fled Syria, Alaa decided to stay to help those who have no voice, no choice - the innocent victims of the war: cats, dogs and children.
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Alaa’s original sanctuary that he founded in Aleppo, as the "Cat Man of Aleppo", was called "Ernesto’s", named after the first of his rescues. He ran his sanctuary and a school for war orphans for some years.
His place was bombed several times. For this and other reasons, he had to relocate and rebuild his animal sanctuary.
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So Alaa started over in a safer area for his sanctuary, family and staff near the Turkish border where he and his dedicated team are currently taking care of a growing number of cats and dogs.
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Orphans, displaced and refugee children regularly visit the sanctuary.
Alaa and his team teach them the proper care of animals thus applying a form of pet therapy for the vulnerable children suffering from trauma due to the situation in the region.
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The sanctuary also operates a small clinic to treat sick and injured animals. A specialized team is taking good care of our furry patients.
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Some of the members of our team on site: Mahmoud, Abdul, Ghina and Alaa
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Books based on or inspired by the story of Mohammad Alaa Al'Jaleel
“The Last Sanctuary of Aleppo. A remarkable true story of courage, hope and survival”
HEADLINE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2019
“The Cat Man of Aleppo”.
Picture book. PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE, 2020
Won the Caldecott Honor and a 2020 Middle East Book Award.
There are notes in the book written by the real Mohammad Alaa Al’Jaleel.
“The Little War Cat. Inspired by the kindness of the Cat Man of Aleppo”.
PAN MACMILLAN, 2020
Longlisted for the inaugural Jhalak Children's & Young Adult Prize.
“Magic World. Des animaux au coeur de la guerre”
ÉDITIONS TÉLÉMAQUE, 2022