Abandoned homes across Baghdad are increasingly becoming shelters for stray dogs, rodents, and insects, leaving neighboring families struggling with the effects of properties whose owners are often difficult to reach.

Many of the houses have remained vacant because their landlords have not been able to use them or prefer not to rent them out due to their personal and family ties to the premises. Meanwhile, Residents in several areas complain that pests and stray animals have spread inside the buildings, as government face legal restrictions on renovating or using privat owned assets without the owners' consent.