Nearly 300 cats and dogs, abandoned by their owners in Lebanon during the 34-day war this summer, were airlifted this week to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, then transported to their new (and hopefully temporary) home, Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. No passports or visas were required for these four-legged, first-class travelers, however there was lots of red tape for the folks at Best Friends to cut through, only one year after their heroic efforts in the Gulf Coast, taking in hundreds of abandoned animals in the aftermath of Katrina.
A broadcast on ABC here in America featuring a Lebanese animal rights organization, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA), prompted Best Friends’ involvement. The story focused on BETA’s campaign for the pets abandoned by owners who evacuated the country during the conflict. Then before Best Friends could mobilize the orphaned animals, the bombing campaign forced BETA to move from its previous shelter to a pig farm in Monteverde. The dogs & cats were moved in cars and one mini-van, three or four at a time. It was quite an ordeal for the animals who became quite stressed. They remained on the pig farm until Israel’s air blockade ended. The 150 dogs and 145 cats then boarded an Emirates cargo plane, made two refueling stops before arriving in Nevada, where they were loaded onto trucks for another three-and-a-half-hour drive to Best Friends. ..I wonder if animals get jet-lag? 
For Michael Mountain, Best Friends’ president, the arrival of his Lebanese guests was joyous after weeks of complications and hard work. “It’s been a hectic few days but they’ve done very well,” said Mountain, adding that many pets had broken bones and all still react to loud noises or “anything that sounds like war.”
Best Friends funded the animal airlift, primarily through donations made to its website. The operation is expected to cost more than $250,000 ($200,000 of which has already been contributed). We at Pop Art Pet are long-time supporters of Best Friends and are so happy to once again see our donation dollars at work, rescuing animals in need around the world.
For information on how you can donate or better yet, sponsor or adopt one of these furry refugees, please visit Best Friends’ website today!
