Help IFAW Rescue Pets in the War Zone

[Omaha Steve]

At this very moment, brave men and women are risking their lives to help feed and transport hundreds of dogs and cats trapped in animal shelters being destroyed by the bombing in Lebanon.

Can you please help them?

Since its beginning, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA) has been at the forefront of the battle to ensure animals are respected and cared for in Lebanon. BETA has rescued over 500 stray and abused cats and dogs, founded Lebanon's first cat and dog shelters, and spayed/neutered almost half of its rescued animals.

But BETA’s three separate shelters, which care for more than 130 dogs and 100 cats, are in constant danger. The dog shelter is located on the border of Dahye, a suburb where many of the attacks are taking place, and trips to the cat shelters take brave volunteers through a large part of Beirut. Just a few nights ago, a bomb fell 400 meters from the shelter, leaving many of the dogs visibly suffering due to the ongoing noise and near destruction.

Help us raise the funds needed to move these pets to safety: https://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=128149&msource=DR070701001&tr=y&auid=1833409

The necessary goods to care for these animals are becoming more difficult to find, and what is available is now becoming more expensive due to their scarcity. Because of a severe shortage of medication, the medication needed for these dogs and cats is becoming extremely costly.



BETA plans to take on the extremely dangerous task of moving the animals trapped in the shelters to an old farm in a safer area. But small constructions around the farm are also needed to fix the fencing, barns and doors, as well as to purchase several small generators.

The U.N. has said at least a half-million people have been displaced in Lebanon. Many if not all of the evacuees are being told they cannot take their pets with them. We already know from Katrina the additional tragedy such a situation can cause for those who have already lost everything. BETA is taking on as many abandoned pets as they possibly can but the situation promises to get much worse as the war continues.

BETA and the animals in its care urgently need your help. With the country shut down, all of BETA’s in-country fundraising projects have come to a stop. IFAW is preparing a financial grant up to $20,000 to help transport the animals, pay for food, medication and shelter. But I need your help to make this incredible effort possible.

Let’s make sure these brave individuals are not risking their lives for these animals in vain.

Thanks for all you do,

Fred O’Regan
President and CEO

P.S. BETA already faced financial challenges to sustain current sheltered animals and rescue new ones in need before the war. Now these abandoned dogs and cats need us more than ever. Please give what you can now.