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middleeast.bestfriends.org

The animals' exodus?

August 14, 2006 : 12:00 AM
Americans offer to adopt animals from Lebanon. Best Friends to organize the evacuation.

When she appeared on ABC TV last Friday evening, Linda Nealon invited Americans to adopt the homeless dogs of Lebanon. Within minutes, more than a hundred offers came in.

The big challenge now is providing an AIRLIFT to BRING THESE DOGS TO THE U.S. so they can be placed in good new homes.

"This will enable us to free up space at our sanctuary and bring in more homeless pets," said Joelle Kanaan of the rescue group BETA (Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals).

Linda Nealon had been in Lebanon all week as a volunteer at the BETA sanctuary. "The dogs are all friendly," she said. "And most of them are in pretty good health."

Best Friends has committed to organizing the evacuation and housing the dogs at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary before they go to new homes across the country.

"We're looking to airlift all 150 dogs from the sanctuary in Lebanon to Best Friends," said Michael Mountain, president of Best Friends. "That's quite an undertaking."

After Hurricane Katrina, several generous Americans chartered planes to airlift animals to safety in shelters around the country.

"Some kind person can help work a miracle for these dogs, too," said Mountain. "If you're reading this and you can help us charter a plane to bring 150 dogs to the United States, you'll be a real hero to these pooches!"

If you have connections that can help us fly the dogs to the U.S., please e-mail bfnetwork@bestfriends.org. We'll get straight back to you.

And to make a donation, large or small toward the rescue effort please go to:
https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/NRF.cfm

Thank you for caring!


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Comments
  
October 8, 2006 at 10:13 AM
posted by: Nik
While I'm happy to see ANY animal rescued, events like this make me question people's motives. Where are all these generous offers to adopt when it comes to all the homeless animals already in our own country? Why are so many people only willing to pony up to donate or adopt when there's a tragic story attached? If the local shelter I volunteer at were to label the stray dogs as Katrina evacuees or Lebanon evacuees, they'd be empty in a week. Instead, they sit there for weeks or months, 'cuz they don't have a sad story. Sad, isn't it?
  
August 17, 2006 at 12:35 PM
posted by: PatD
I am so proud of Best Friends! You Rock!
  
August 17, 2006 at 7:10 AM
posted by: bogiedew
Where are the cats being housed? Will they be coming to the US as well??
  
August 16, 2006 at 3:42 PM
posted by: Kelly_Mac
THANK YOU Best Friends for rescuing the animals, wow, wow, wow!
Congtats to Linda, ABC News made her "Person of the Week", she is a true Hero to these animals, so dedicated, Thank You!
And, Thank You to Charlie Gibson and ABC News for announcing that that the animals were up for adoption and bringing attention to the situation. The ABC guy (sorry can't remember his name) who covered the story adopted one of the dogs, so awesome!
  
August 16, 2006 at 3:07 PM
posted by: southerndogmom
What wonderful news! I'm spreading the word within my own little network and learned that the father of one of my best buds used to be a corporate pilot! Wouldn't it be wonderful if so many people came forward to help with the rescue that planes had to be turned away?

Dare to dream....
  
August 16, 2006 at 3:05 PM
posted by: Tony_In_Maine
Several airlines, including Delta and America West, fly to Jordan. I wonder if we could convince them to donate a plane for this?
  
August 16, 2006 at 10:49 AM
posted by: Evelyn
OMG! Best Friends to the rescue AGAIN!!! You guys are so wonderful!!!

Evelyn in Cincinnati
  
August 16, 2006 at 1:23 AM
posted by: Mogley
Thank you Best Friends for your effort and concern. I hope you will consider saving cats as well.
  
August 15, 2006 at 9:00 PM
posted by: sue12paws
THANK YOU Best Friends, for helping these poor victims of human insanity. You truly are the animals Best Friends. Good luck with the rescue, and may you all come home safe and sound!
  
August 15, 2006 at 7:52 PM
posted by: hyprincess
While the Katrina operations were going on, there was an email for T. Boone Pickens in Dallas, Texas, who airlifted 150 animals. If someone has that, it's worth a try.
  
August 15, 2006 at 5:59 PM
posted by: blessedwithpets
My heart aches as I wish I could fly a plane over right now. I pray someone who can do this will and however this is you are the best of the best. I pray for all the animals, to be taken in and protected from the evil of war. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping and letting the publid know what is going on.

Sharon-California
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