Hope Rises: Relief Campaign for Animals in Lebanon
Times are hard on everyone, no matter where we are in this world. However, times are changing and, even though we witness atrocities day in and day out, animals are gaining much more momentum, and their rights are being valued and respected by a large portion of the population compared to a few years back, especially in first world countries.
Sadly, our part of the world - the Middle East, and most specifically Lebanon in our case - is lagging behind in terms of animal welfare where, even in light of the newly passed animal welfare law, we are still witnessing instances of animal abuse every single day, as policy implementation is not always an option. People seem to find it easier to lash out and re-direct all the anger on creatures that are helpless, in many ways: hanging with a rope, shooting, hunting, throwing rocks, hitting, kicking, poisoning, dragging behind cars, and slaughtering.
This is the reality of animal treatment in Lebanon. To further exacerbate the situation, zero action steps were taken on a national level to reduce the number of strays and raise awareness on the importance of respecting animals. So, with stray population management measures being close to null and with an uninformed general public, I had to do something about it, with the little resources that I have.
As an animal rights advocate and rescuer since 2014, and a dog/cat guardian since 1992, I have rescued over 150 dogs, 30 cats, a couple of horses and birds, 1 squirrel and 1 donkey, among others. Most of them were either abandoned on the street, left to die, starving, thirsty and in pain. I couldn’t just look away. Many of them, around 50, found loving homes abroad: Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
In light of those perceived problems mentioned above, I started a campaign called “Hope Rises.”
I am starting this campaign – consisting of a series of initiatives - to serve the animals of my country, using the most logical and efficient ways, through focusing on implementing the following initiatives, with the ultimate goal of reducing the suffering of animals in Lebanon:
- Spay and neuter initiative: helping dog/cat guardians and local shelters neuter the animals under their care to reduce the number of unwanted litters and the resulting unnecessary suffering. The animals will also be microchipped and registered.
- TNR (Trap Neuter Return/Release) initiative: this campaign will mostly target street dogs and cats for the same reason stated in the spay and neuter initiative. The animals will also be microchipped and registered. Areas targeted will include: Mansourieh, Daychounieh, Broummana, Beit Merry, Ain Saade, Mkalles, Baabdath and Dahr el Souwan. This campaign might be extended to other areas depending on the incoming donations and proximity. We started our 2023 with a total of 4 neutered dogs and 2 castrated cats.
- Food relief initiative: feeding stray dogs in the same areas mentioned above as well as helping specific and trustworthy shelters/rescuers feed their dogs. We are feeding around 10 street dogs at the moment.
- Awareness initiative: informing people, with a focus on children and the general population, around animal welfare, the related law(s) and animal protection. Could include field visits and dog walking adventures.
- Medical relief: assisting trustworthy and reputable shelters/rescuers in tending to the medical needs of the animals under their care, whether vaccination, surgeries, treatments… etc., as well as animals under our care.
Benji and Freya are two of our medical cases who need your support. Benji has 3 orthopedic operations that were put on hold due to shortage of funds. Freya was part of our TNR initiative, but it turns out she has cancer. Benji’s surgeries will cost around USD 4,000 while Freya’s will amount to around USD 600.
- International adoption: since the borders to Canada were closed following the CFIA ban, we are constantly seeking new partnerships with animal rescuers and organizations in the EU to send our rescued dogs, cats and horses to. You can support this initiative by donating toward their travel expenses, including microchips, tither test, crates and travel fees, among others.
With currently 17 dogs and 15 cats under our care, we need all the help we can get! We look forward to your support in any way possible! Upon donating, please specify the initiative you are hoping to support. A google document will be accessible to everyone for transparency purposes, which means that you can find out where your donation was used and track any changes in the sheet.
We are counting on you!
Follow our pages on
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thehappylifeofjuneandco/?hl=en
& Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/TheHappyLifeofJuneandCo/
to have a look at our work!
Love and light!
Yara Zalzal
Donation options made easy!
* feel free to choose one of those options (or not), and specify it either by sending us an email to [email protected] or by mentioning it in your comment!
1- Feeding initiative:
- 20 USD: Full-belly! You’ve just fed a stray dog/cat for a month!
- 120 USD: No more pain! You’ve just fed a stray dog/cat for 6 months!
- 240 USD: Living the life! You’ve just fed a dog/cat for a whole year!
- 480 USD: You’re a superstar! You’ve just covered a whole year of dry food for two dogs/cats or fed 24 dogs/cats for a month!
2- Spay/neuter:
- 40 USD: No more pain! You’ve just neutered a male cat!
- 50 USD: No more suffering! You’ve just vaccinated and neutered a male cat!
- 60 USD: No more pain! You’ve just neutered a female cat!
- 70 USD: No more suffering! You’ve just vaccinated and neutered a female cat!
- 80 USD: No more pain! You’ve just neutered a male dog!
- 90 USD: No more suffering! You’ve just vaccinated and neutered a male dog!
- 100 USD: No more pain! You’ve just neutered a female dog!
- 110 USD: No more suffering! You’ve just vaccinated and neutered a female dog!
3- Trap Neuter Return (TNR):
- 45 USD: No more stranded kitties! You’ve just neutered and registered a male cat!
- 60 USD: Unhealthy cats no more! You’ve just neutered, vaccinated, registered, ran a CBC blood-test and provided deworming/defleaing for a male cat!
- 65 USD: No more stranded kitties! You’ve just neutered and registered a female cat!
- 80 USD: Unhealthy cats no more! You’ve just neutered, vaccinated, registered, ran a CBC blood-test and provided deworming/defleaing for a female cat!
- 85 USD: No more stranded pups! You’ve just neutered and registered a male dog!
- 105 USD: No more stranded pups! You’ve just neutered and registered a female dog!
- 100 USD: Unhealthy pups no more! You’ve just neutered, vaccinated, registered, ran a CBC blood-test and provided deworming/defleaing for a male dog!
- 120 USD: Unhealthy pups no more! You’ve just neutered, vaccinated, registered, ran a CBC blood-test and provided deworming/defleaing for a female dog!
4- Medical relief:
- 8 USD: Healthy puppy! You’ve just covered a dog’s NexGard Spectra (defleaing and deworming pill)!
- 10 USD: Healthy puppy! You’ve just covered a dog’s annual vaccination!
- 100 USD: Healthy puppy! You’ve just covered a dog’s medical expense (could go towards any medical need)!
- 200 USD: Journey to health! You’ve just covered a dog’s treatment (including post-surgery treatment)!
- 600 USD: Your humanity is priceless! You’ve just covered a dog’s FHO surgery!
- 1200 USD: You deserve a prize for utmost kindness! You’ve just covered a dog’s TPLO surgery!
5- Awareness raising campaign:
- 500 USD: The first step towards change is awareness! You just helped cover an awareness raising session including one meal and transportation for 20 participants!
6- International adoptions:
- 50 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered the cost of airport papers and taxes in Lebanon and the country of destination!
- 60 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered a tiny dog’s crate!
- 100 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered a small dog’s crate!
- 200 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered a dog’s ticket!
- 250 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered a dog’s tither blood-test for EU adoptions!
- 300 USD: Cleared for travel! You’ve just covered a big dog’s crate!
- 600 USD: You’re a rockstar! You’ve just covered a dog’s entire trip to his/her forever home!
7- Sponsor a dog:
- 30 USD: Beautiful soul! You’ve just sponsored a dog (all his/her expenses) for a month!
- 180 USD: Legend! You’ve just sponsored a dog/cat (all his/her expenses) for 6 months!
- 360 USD: Guardian angel! You’ve just sponsored a dog/cat (all his/her expenses) for a year!
COLLECTED TO DATE
COLLECTED TO DATE
$8