Meghan Markle wears cream ensemble at Mayhew Animal Home

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The charity, founded in 1886 and of which the Duchess of Sussex is a patron, issued a Twitter statement explaining that their ongoing programmes based in the region have ceased due to the Taliban takeover.

The devastating statement refers to “continued concern” from followers due to the team the charity has based in Afghanistan for their ongoing projects.

The charity, whose work helps tackle causes of animal abandonment and neglect and supports vulnerable people to stay with their companion pets, has been affected by events in the region as the Taliban took control after 20 years of war.

The statement confirmed that work can not remain ongoing due to the current conditions, by saying: “Mayhew Afghanistan has been operating two programmes in Kabul: mass rabies vaccination and neutering. Both of these programmes remain suspended.”

The London-based organisation, which works to improve the lives of dogs, cats and people in communities both locally and internationally, confirmed that they “remain in regular contact” with their “team and stakeholders on the ground” and that “protecting their safety” is the charity’s “absolute priority”.

Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital city, has been seized by jihadist extremists over the past week, and is the location for the emergency evacuation of citizens amid the crisis.

Thousands of Afghans, civilians and military personnel have been evacuated already, but the process remains ongoing.

They mention that they are not the only animal welfare organisation that has been affected by the devastation in Afghanistan where the Taliban are seizing control of major cities while residents seek sanctuary elsewhere.

In the statement they refer to their intentions for the future by saying: “If circumstances allow, we would hope to continue these programmes.”

They also referred to the fact they “never had and does not have a shelter in Kabul” where animals would need rescuing or rehoming from, but that they were offering support to others in the region in a collective effort.

The statement reads: “Like us, we are aware that the other animal welfare organisations in Afghanistan/Kabul are also doing their best to manage the complex situation.

“We are supporting each other on the ground where we can.”

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Meghan contacted Mayhew personally in 2019 to offer her support and became the charity’s first Royal Patron.

The Duchess has a shared commitment with the cause for improving the lives of animals and people, and according to the Mayhew website the Duchess has “long understood the connection between animal and community welfare”.

During the pandemic, the Duchess thanked animal lovers for their support of Mayhew’s work.

In her open letter she recognised that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of “community and connection”.

She wrote: “I want to thank every animal lover across London, the UK and the world who has supported Mayhew during the past year.

“Your help has meant that, despite the hardship, Mayhew has been able to continue providing vital support to cats and dogs, and the communities around them.”

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