An online sale of prints by artist and activist Nan Goldin will benefit Gaza’s first and only animal shelter and hospital, Sulala Animal Rescue, which is increasingly struggling amid Israel’s indiscriminate bombings, forced displacements, and suspension of humanitarian aid.
Through the fundraising organization Pictures for Purpose, Goldin is selling three prints priced between €185 to €230 (~$210 to ~$262), all of photos that she took during her travels through London, Paris, and Mexico City. Each print comes with a signed label, and after tax, production, and digital payment deductions, the remaining 65% of proceeds will be forwarded to the animal rescue.
“Their compassion is endless for the animals — the innocent victims of man’s folly,” Goldin said in an email about Sulala Animal Rescue. “They ran a free veterinary clinic to treat animals’ wounds and illnesses, and expanded to run a school for children and made efforts to manage their trauma. One of their missions is to teach their community compassionate care for animals.”
Palestinian animal lover Saeed Al-Err founded Sulala Animal Rescue in 2006. He initially sold his car and relied on personal funds and public donations to feed and house multiple stray dogs that were originally set to be culled as they were deemed a threat to the local population. Al-Err eventually earned appropriate animal care and training credentials in Russia and opened a full-fledged shelter and veterinary space for dogs, cats, and donkeys in Gaza City. With limited resources, Al-Err and his family members operated the rescue with over a dozen volunteer assistants.
Getting by primarily through international donations and navigating the restrictive and financially strapped climate in Gaza imposed by Israeli forces, Sulala Animal Rescue had to rely on ingenuity in order to provide the best possible care for mistreated, disabled, and stray animals. The organization began taking apart children’s used training bikes and toy cars and revamping them into mobility aids for amputee and paralyzed dogs and cats since specialized prosthetics were not available.
In the wake of October 7, Al-Err and his family have remained wholly committed to Sulala Animal Rescue, recognizing that Gaza’s animals are at their most vulnerable in the face of Israel’s attacks. Having been evacuated multiple times with hundreds of animals in their care, the rescue has operated across several displacement sites to treat abandoned, lost, injured, sick, famished, and otherwise unwell animals.
The organization also distributes food, water, and medicine to displaced people and families who brought their pets with them, and works to combat animal cruelty and neglect in times of disarray and deprivation.
“Sulala Animal Rescue has become a passionate concern for people all over the world,” Goldin said. “Saeed Al-Err and his sons maintain such dignity and humility throughout this terrible year and a half.”
In addition to the ongoing hardships the organization faces, Sulala Animal Rescue was recently booted off of GoFundMe last month, and thousands of transactions were returned to crowdfunded donors.
An internationally renowned photographer and activist, Goldin has used her platform to vocalize her support for Palestinians and mobilize for Gaza throughout the last 18 months.
“My greatest pride and joy is to be a small part of the Sulala family,” Goldin continued. “I pray they will be able to continue their important work.”
