By Terri Crisp
Program Development Manager
SPCA International

I lived in Iraq for six weeks this summer as I took a sabbatical to write a book about Operation Baghdad Pups.  It has been an eye-opening and inspiring experience in more ways than I expected.  

During my first week I noticed that in front of one of the traffic police stations there were always a few rabbits scurrying around in the grass out front.  Each day I would look to see if they were still there or maybe they were just passing through on their way to some place else.  After a couple weeks, I had seen the rabbits almost every day and it looked like there were at least 10 of them living in this most unusual choice of a home.

Curiosity got the best of me, so one warm evening I walked to the produce stand and bought a bag of carrots. I strolled over to the police station with a local friend who could translate for me.  My most pressing question was, “Are these pet rabbits or are they being raised for food?”
I was quite relieved to learn, early in our conversation with three of the police officers, that all 12 rabbits were pets.  They had been living there for three months and the entire police station had grown quite attached, as had many of the neighbors.  When a plump Tom cat came prowling around at one point looking for a rabbit to eat for dinner, the police officers immediately put up a tall chain link fence to keep out cats and anyone else that would want to harm the rabbits.  The officers did not complain when the rabbits proceeded over time to consume all the bushes that had been carefully planted to spruce up the police station.  These men genuinely seemed to care about these rabbits and I was delighted to have stumbled upon them.

It was quite fun when I sat down that evening on the damp grass and pulled the carrots out of the bag.  I was immediately overtaken by 12 rabbits all eager to dig their teeth into the tasty treats.  With four carrots held in each of my hands I delighted in watching the assortment of rabbits chew away happily.  All the while, the police officers stood and watched with big smiles on their faces.  They looked very much like proud parents.  

As I sat there, I learned that each of the rabbits had a name and there were stories to relay about each one.  It was quite clear as I listened, these men took great pride in the rabbits and I was thrilled to see this kind of compassion.  As many Operation Baghdad Pups supporters know, we have learned that many of the Iraqi people are not known for compassionate treatment of animals.

Before we left the police station, a group of children came running up excitedly.  In the hands of one young girl was a bag of potato chips.  They were not for her I quickly learned.  She had bought them to feed to the rabbits.  It may not have been the ideal diet choice but at least this was an Iraqi child that wanted to see the rabbits and bring them something she thought they would enjoy.  Another great switch from all the stories I had heard from soldiers about children abusing animals in Iraq.  

This may be only one police station and one small group of people, but it is a beginning.  Witnessing these acts of compassion toward animals gives me hope that one day more people in Iraq will come to realize the enjoyment and benefits of being friends with animals instead of choosing to hurt or kill them.  As animal welfare activists know well, education is what will bring about positive change.  SPCA International hopes to continue to play a role in planting the seeds.

About Terri Crisp
Terri Crisp is a SPCA International Program Development Manager.  She has lead teams of rescue experts to Iraq over 40 times for Operation Baghdad Pups.  Her experiences running Operation Baghdad Pups has inspired her to write a book about the bond between animals and combat warriors.  SPCA International will be announcing the release of the book in 2011.