War Relief: Rescuing Animals in the Middle East

Lebanon has been in the midst of a conflict which has disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and their animals. After hostilities erupted in the last two weeks, many civilians had to move to safe refuges and have been unable to care for their pets.

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. IFAW is providing BETA with a grant to help transport the animals to safety. IFAW’s support will also provide for stocking of food and medical supplies as these supplies have become extremely scarce.

IFAW is also providing financial aid to NOAH: the umbrella organization for animal welfare in Israel. The grant will assist with the rescue of abandoned pets and stray animals in the combat zone in northern Israel.

BETA Update: July 26

BETA has moved all the dogs into the safer facilities they have secured. They are now in the process of fixing the kennels and barns for the animals and trying to make sure they are as comfortable as can be given the situation. BETA is rescuing as many animals as they can find on the streets and are also taking in evacuees’ pets.

Following is an exerpt from an update we received from the BETA team who, in addition to helping the dogs and cats in their shelters, is also assisting with the transport of animals from a local zoo to safety:

“The zoo is located in 'Ghbayri' which is a part of Dahyeh or you can call it the war zone. We felt the urge to help these animals as they are be kept in cages under the horror of the attacks and subject to starvation as the workers might leave any minute due to fear. They urged us today to get them all as soon this zoo might be targeted.

The zoo contains the following animals:

- 5 monkeys: a baboon, a macaque and 3 vervets (mother + 2 babies)
- a camel
- some goats
- a donkey
- some rabbits
- some chickens
- some exotic birds
- owl
- eagles (3)
- a crocodile
- may be a couple of snakes.

I don't have experience with primates, neither our vets, but we have had previous baboon rescues so we know a bit of how to deal with them.

Today, I went there with a BETA volunteer, and with the help of the zoo workers, we were able to get the baboon and the macaque that were held in the same cage. We didn't take them out of the cage as we don't have vet on scene who would know how to deal with them. Thus, we moved them in a very safe way for both us and them. We got the whole cage moved. Thus it will save us the trouble of making a new cage for them. Now they are kept in the same cage at a private garden. As per Jason's advice, we are giving them the proper food and medical treatment. Hopefully when the war ends we will find them a permanent sanctuary where they will be kept in their natural environment. We previously did so with Tom and Lola (2 baboons), our previous rescues who are living happy now in a sanctuary in Wales.

As for the vervets, tomorrow I am going back again to get them. We will also place them in a safe place until transferred to a better place.

We also rescued 3 kittens from the zoo. They were roaming the area starving. We took them to the vet first and now they are being kept in a comfortable separate room to rest until they are healthy enough to be put up for adoption.”