For days, the airport at Kabul has been filled with people. Thousands have been trying to leave the country since the Taliban came to power.

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

Pen Farthing used to be in the Marines. But he gave up to start an animal shelter in Afghanistan. 

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

But many people are angry. They say Pen should not have saved animals instead of people. 

Space on planes leaving Kabul was limited. Lots of people trying to escape were injured. Some even died. 

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 difficult puzzles. Pigs can beat three-year-olds in tests. And 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!