The largest problem animals face in the north is the lack of food and water. Not only are owned animals dependent but also the large population of stray cats that are dependent on handouts left without a food source.
From Adela Gertner in Israel to Amy at Best Friends
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your concern. It really strengthens us to know that you at Best Friends and your supporters are thinking about us here and how this human crisis once again affects the animals.
The largest problem animals face in the north is the lack of food and water. Not only are owned animals dependent but also the large population of stray cats that are dependent on handouts left without a food source.
At the request of Noah, the umbrella organization of animal welfare organization, Dr. Chaimovitch, head of the veterinary services has given orders to municipal veterinarians to also put food and water out. We have reports that some are doing so and we hope that more will do so. Noah has also appealed through the media for people to take their pets with them if possible, and for people to leave food out and lawn taps dripping for animals.
Ofra Rosenshine of Rishon Loves Animals reported that she got a donation of 40 pails for water Home Center. Animal welfare volunteers have been going to the north to put out food and water for the cats and the dogs left behind . This seems to be the best solution right now.
When bombs fell in Haifa on Sunday this week I tried calling the Shaul of the Haifa SPCA (
http://civilsociety.haifa.ac.il/orgDet.asp?lang=eng&orgid=149 <
http://civilsociety.haifa.ac.il/orgDet.asp?lang=eng&orgid=149>; ). There was no connection for a few hours. When I finally got hold of him, he was in the shelter and reported that rockets hit all around the shelter but they were all alright. Meanwhile, they have been in undated with abandoned animals.
Also the Bashan Kennels in the Northern Galili (www.dogsandcats.4ourpets.com)
have also been inundated with abandoned animals. They have also received generous donations of food from the Eukanuba importer as well as local dog food manufacturers, Dogli and Bonzo.
Janette, of the Bashan kennels also drives around Kiriat Shmonah at night to put food and water out as well as to bring back abandoned animals that were tied in their yards or too scared to leave in the street. Yaviv a Bashan volunteer also reported that the bombs are falling all around, all the time. Some dogs are trying to escape the kennel to get away from the noise of the explosions. They are doing the best they can.
Some animals have been caught in a joint effort by Let the Animals Live and Rishon Loves Animals and moved to shelters or pounds in the center of the country. This however does not seem to be as productive an option right now. Most of the burden continues to fall on the local shelters like the Haifa SPCA, The Bashan Kennels and local volunteers.
We are hoping that the fighting will end soon and people will go back home and assume responsibility over their animals.
.
Thank you for your thoughts and support in helping the animals. Animals suffering truly know no borders.
Adela Gertner
Spay Israel
A member organization of Noah