Cats and dogs rescued from bombed-out combat zones are often in a deplorable state and require ongoing care. (Credit: Animals Lebanon)
The NGO Animals Lebanon, whose activists have saved dozens of animal lives in combat zones since the war intensified at the end of September, often at great personal risk, has appealed to the public for help in temporarily placing kittens in foster homes.
According to one of the NGO's founders, Maggie Chaarawi, Animals Lebanon conducts rescue operations in areas affected by the violence, particularly in southern Lebanon and the southern suburbs of Beirut. “We have recently had cases of very sick animals, infected with viruses that are not contagious to humans,” said the activist. These viruses, whose spread the NGO manages to halt, remain lethal for unvaccinated kittens, she added.
“To save these kittens from a dangerous environment in our shelter, we are appealing to the public to find temporary foster homes,” continued Chaarawi. These homes will only have to take in the kittens temporarily, at no extra cost as the NGO will provide food, transport, care and litter. “I want to tell potential adoptive homes that the cats will be in large cages, so there's not even a risk to the furniture,” she said.
The activist insists on the role of these homes, which “will allow us to get past this delicate period” for two to three weeks. “As an organization, we take all safety and hygiene measures to curb the spread of these viruses, but they remain dangerous for the kittens, hence our efforts to send them elsewhere,” she added.
Animals Lebanon has 320 cats and dogs in its shelter, 187 of which come from war zones where they have been rescued, often at the request of their owners who were unable to take them with them. To contact Animals Lebanon in Beirut, call 76-089969, or in South Lebanon, call 70-223808, or write to: contact@animalslebanon.org.