Saving Cairo’s Forgotten and Most Vulnerable Dogs with ACARF

Story

Hi dog lovers! We’re Mackenzie and Keenan, and we’re raising funds on behalf of an incredible shelter in Cairo called The American Cairo Animal Rescue Foundation (ACARF). After spending 4 months in Egypt, our hearts have been broken more times than we can count by the sight of street dogs suffering from accidents, neglect, and abuse. We believe with all our hearts that dogs—whether street dogs or house pets—are truly man’s best friend and deserve love, protection, and dignity. ACARF shares this same belief. The founder once told us, “These animals’ lives are sacred. Their souls are a responsibility we carry with love and honor.” During our final week in Cairo, we came across a 4-week-old orphaned puppy alone on the streets, helpless, and trying to survive with no one to care for her. She was dehydrated, starving, and covered in fleas and ticks—she was on her last legs. We picked her up, bathed her, fed her, and poured our love into her—but as full-time travel vloggers, we had no idea what to do next... we can't adopt her (at the moment). She was too young to survive in a shelter unvaccinated, and finding a safe place for her seemed impossible. That’s when we contacted Ibrahim, the founder of ACARF. Without hesitation, he said, “I’ll come pick her up tomorrow.” And he did. He drove across the city to get her and welcomed her into his shelter with full understanding of her fragile condition, placing her in isolation to keep her safe. When we arrived at ACARF, we were met with something unexpected—hope. The shelter was full of happy, tail-wagging dogs, all well-fed and loved. Ibrahim has fought tirelessly to save dogs who’ve endured horrific injuries and abuse. Some of the dogs have rare cancers. Some have only half a face. And yet—they are alive, safe, and happy because of him. His heart, his resilience, and his refusal to give up are beyond inspiring. But there’s a problem. The shelter is now in desperate need of support. Ibrahim's business partner recently stepped away from the foundation, leaving a major gap in resources and funding. He cannot do this alone. If you believe animals deserve a second chance, please consider donating to ACARF. Every dollar helps keep these sacred souls alive, cared for, and happy. Your support could mean such a difference. Thank you so much for reading and for caring. With love, Unstuk (Mackenzie & Keenan)