http://www.canadianvoiceforanimals.org/LebanonStrays.html

WAR ON LEBANON AND ITS ANIMALS

''What we want to do is find a permanent paradise for these animals. Yes, I call it paradise because that's what they deserve. They are almost like children who will never grow up and will stay innocent for as long as they live. So a paradise they do deserve." -O.G. BETA

  

ALL PHOTOS IN SLIDE SHOW ARE COPYRIGHT OF BETA

BEIRUT FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS

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Our Efforts Throughout the War
Since the 12th of July 2006, the BETA team has been struggling to alleviate the suffering of Lebanon's neediest animals.

 BETA has welcomed abandoned animals into its shelter. In 31 days, 25 dogs have joined the dog shelter, while the cat shelter has become home to another 34 cats.

 Each of the abovementioned animals has had its vaccines administered, and has received de-worming and de-fleaing treatments, and any other treatment necessary.

 In the first week of the war, BETA was forced to move its 130 dogs in two days from the previous shelter, which was located in a war zone. The dogs were moved in our cars, 3 at a time and in a mini-van.

 The new dog shelter is space at a pig farm, which was donated by a kind man. Needless to say, this space is in dire need of construction works. The place is therefore a dog shelter and a construction site at the same time.

 In other words, BETA is building a new shelter from scratch, which certainly requires many hours of work, and significant resources.

 Thus, with every incoming dog, a new cage is to be built and this requires a lot of construction material, in other words a lot of money.

 As for the increasing number of cats, BETA is in the process of finding a new space to put the cats. We were always against over crowding and we still are.

Information on Stray Animals
The BETA team has entered the southern suburbs of Beirut to feed all the strays or those left behind. And, as some people have abandoned their pets in the streets, BETA has also been placing food accessible to these animals right inside Beirut.

 As for the South of Lebanon, BETA is waiting for a cease fire to be able to enter the south and rescue its animals that are in dire need of help.

Information on Primates
The BETA team has risked their lives to help several primates, which were held prisoners inside the southern suburbs of Beirut. Fortunately, we were able to get them out safely and in time, and they have now joined our family of animals, and are receiving adequate care and nourishment.

It is also important to note that any single BETA member is charged with providing the primates with ample fruits and vegetables, at a cost of at least $20 on a daily basis.

At the same time, BETA is very concerned about the future of the primates. We are working tirelessly to be able to send them to a sanctuary, which is the only acceptable environment. BETA emphatically says NO TO ZOOS.

Information on Foreign Help
BETA has received Ms. Michele Rokkee from PETA who accompanied the BETA team to the southern suburbs of Beirut, during a one day trip with the aim of feeding the strays.

 Also, BETA received great help from Ms. Linda Nealon, who risked her life and came all the way to war-torn Lebanon in order to help the BETA team and the animals. Ms. Nealon stayed for a little more than a week and worked closely with us. She is currently still supporting us from the U.S., being our main spoke-person and correspondent there.

 BETA also thanks all the individuals and organizations that supported its animals which include: Best Friends Animal Society; WSPA; IFAW; The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust; HIS/HSUS; The Brigitte Bardot Foundation; S.I.N. and PETA.

Our Plan
We are a group of optimists, and we all believe that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Our animals have also had to suffer the consequences of this senseless war, but have been patient enough thanks to our love and care.

 Our plan is to send them abroad and find them homes. We are corresponding with the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah, and working out a deal which will allow us to send our animals over there. Many people have already contacted us with the desire to adopt some of our dogs. What we need now is to locate a means of getting the animals out of Lebanon, a process which requires a finely tuned logistics operation. Making sure our dogs are safe and happy will not mark the end of our mission however. We will continue to rescue new animals, since they will undoubtedly need our help more than ever before in these terrible and testing time.

What we need...
Adoption by foreign nationals due to the crisis here, since most of the potential adopters have evacuated Lebanese territories. Please spread the word about BETA's cats and dogs, so that we can find them good and lasting homes, which would in turn allow us to pick up more animals.

 We always need volunteers at BETA, in order to help us care for the increasing number of animals.

 We need volunteer VETS who are able to attend to our animals' needs on the ground

 Cash donations - all routes of transportation have been disabled, and provision of supplies is extremely difficult.

 Donations of supplies (mainly food and medications) once the transportation means (airport/seaport) are back to their normal activity.

 We stayed with them and we will never leave them. They are those who cannot speak, those who cannot comprehend what is happening around them, those who never had anything to do with this war, and those who were left behind.

Please help us help them.
  

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