Yassine Harouchi started rescuing cats after visiting Morocco in 2018 and has been at it ever since, finding more cats needing help everywhere he turns. Through his rescue called The Yass House, he takes them home, not resting until he does all he can to find them homes. Eventually, he began efforts to air-rescue cats to international homes in Florida and Canada.
Images via Facebook/The Yass House
“In Morocco, there are so many cats on every street, down every alley, that it’s pretty much impossible to rescue them all,” he explained. “Yet I need to do what I can.”
Images via Facebook/The Yass House
Video by The Yass House:
Cats Struggling After an Earthquake in Morocco
While visiting Morocco, Yassine couldn’t look away from the struggling cats and kittens on every corner. The country had been recovering from a devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake, leaving little to no resources left to help animals. So, he decided to take action himself.
“I’m a firm believer in the idea that you shouldn’t wait for others to act first. If you see something that needs to be done, then you should do it,” he told the Dodo.
When he found cats in the trash, he pulled them out, got them vet care, and even rented an apartment and room in a pet hotel to have space for all the rescues. What started with a few cats grew to 50 and then over 90 (see video below).
Now, he’s all in and says, “I won’t stop rescuing until I’m not needed anymore.”
Video by The Dodo about the Yass House:
Sarasota Woman Flies to the Yass House
After seeing videos about the Yass House on Instagram, Sarasota resident Kendra Simpkins and her fiancé Jason decided to take a trip and adopt a cat at the same time.
“I was looking to adopt another cat, and I’ve always wanted to go to Morocco,” Kendra Simpkins told 10 Tampa Bay.
Yassine with Kendra and Jason and three rescued cats from Morocco. Image via Facebook/ Kendra Simpkins
Air-Rescuing Cats and Dogs to the United States
The couple followed through with their plans and met Yassine, who by then had about 90 cats to care for. When they saw how dire the situation was, Simpkins partnered with Yassine to help fly Morocco cats to Florida.
“They literally have zero hope in Morocco unless they get help from kind people like Yassine or kind people here in the US who would like to adopt,” Simpkins explained.
In a video shared to Instagram, she described traveling to the Yass House as “an incredible experience.”
Those interested in helping can plan a trip to Morocco to adopt or find out about cats flown to the US to find homes at the Yass House on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. A GoFundMe organized by Simpkins to air-rescue cats and dogs has so far raised $22K of a $170K goal.
Video by 10 Tampa Bay:
