For days, the airport at Kabul has been filled with people. Thousands have been trying to run away from their country. 

But last week, one plane carried away not just people. It also saved 200 dogs and cats. 

Pen Farthing used to be a soldier. Now he runs an animal shelter in Afghanistan. 

Last week, he chose to take 200 of his animals away on a plane to England. 

Many people are angry. They say Pen should have saved people - not animals.

There was not much space on the planes. Lots of people trying to escape were hurt. 

Others are not surprised, though. They say our relationships with animals can be just as important as those with people. 

Do animals matter as much as humans?

Yes! There is really no difference between animals and humans. Crows can solve puzzles. Pigs can beat three-year-olds in tests. Humans have kept dogs for thousands of years. Of course, they are just as important.

No, say others. It is true that animals matter. But we cannot treat them the same as humans. Wild animals kill and eat each other. We could never have the same rules for them!