The saga of BETA

Maggie Chaarawi grew up around animals in her native Lebanon. Her family kept birds, chickens and cats --- Maggie loved them all. It’s this passion that motivated her and seven other like-minded people to establish the Beirut Ethical Treatment of Animals two years ago.

As the only animal rescue organization in the entire country of Lebanon, BETA could serve as the poster child for grass roots efforts. The first rescues involved Maggie simply hosting 12 stray cats in her own apartment.

“It was a start,” she said. “And you know there’s not a lot of room, but we managed.”

Then BETA started rescuing dogs. Just a few to start. In the meantime, Maggie and other BETA members found more stray cats. Eventually, they rented out three apartments to house the felines; two for the kittens and one for the cats.

After a few months, BETA became home to more than 100 cats and dogs. The cats had room, but the dogs needed more space. Eventually, Maggie struck up a deal with a dog training school --- for $1,500 a month, the dogs could stay there.

Money has always been an issue for BETA but now money was becoming an ISSUE.

“Our vet was great,” said Maggie. “He performed all his services on credit, about $30,000 worth.”

BETA’s fund-raising efforts involved selling movie tickets and books and hosting garage sales. Marketing took place through emails and word-of-mouth. Whenever Maggie had a spare moment from her job as a telecommunications assistant at the United Nations, she’d be on the phone trying to raise money, find out where a stranded animal was located or pinning down in-kind resources.

And then the conflict with Israel began. The dogs were situated in the hot zone.

“It was terrible,” said Maggie. “I’d get calls all day that the dogs were stressed out from the bombing. I knew they couldn’t stay there. We had to move them to safety.”

One of BETA’s volunteers found a deserted pig farm that would not only provide more space for the dogs, but also provide a safer location.

The BETA group spent two days clearing away brush, garbage and debris on the farm. Then they caravanned 130 dogs two-at-a-time in three cars down streets that had been continually bombed from the air. But no bombs went off during their transport.

“I’m sure the Israelis knew what we were doing,” said Maggie. “I truly believe they knew we were helping the dogs to safety.”

And that’s no small feat in Lebanon. There are literally hundreds of homeless dogs on the streets. As part of her personal rescue efforts, Maggie talks to anyone who will listen about the plight of homeless animals in her country. And it’s working.

“I started with my mother,” said Maggie. “I’ve got her feeding stray cats now. And I tell children to give water to stray animals. They listen.”

But there’s a long way to go. The neighbors living near the pig farm haven’t welcomed the dogs. Threats to shoot and poison the dogs if they’re not removed take place on a daily basis. BETA received permission to keep the dogs where they are from the local mayor, but the neighbors continue their intimidation.

“I just hope I can get the dogs that are still there out of there before they get hurt,” said Maggie.

The good news is BETA may have found a suitable location for the dogs on the property. The better news is that 150 dogs and 145 cats came with Maggie to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The dogs run around their pens with smiles. The cats are comfy in their carriers. All receive all the love they can possibly stand.

Maggie walked around looking at her canine pals. Each one ran up to the fence to greet her. She made a sweep of her arms and said, “See? This is what we’re trying to do back home. All we want is for the animals to be safe.”

Currently, there are 89 dogs and 40 cats living in BETA facilities. Maggie hopes to learn tricks of the sanctuary trade during her stay at Best Friends to better care for the animals. In the two days she’s been on the sanctuary, she’s developed a renewed sense of resolve and inspiration. All Maggie needed was to see that there are many animals who live happy lives loved by good people. And she experienced that dynamic over and over again at Angels Rest, the place called home for animals who have made their transition across the Rainbow Bridge.

“It was so peaceful,” Maggie commented. “And it made me so happy. I saw that animals are given the importance they deserve. I hope I can bring that back to my country and make everyone see that as well.”

Written by Amy Abern