Dear friends, Lebanon faces today growing fears about the country’s economic future; A big number of businesses have closed down, many people have lost their jobs or taken a pay cut in the past month, there is a shortage of US dollars and banks have limited dollar withdrawals.
Moreover, Lebanon has a very small industrial sector, and the economy relies mainly on imports and cash injections from Lebanese abroad, but banks have been gradually reducing access to dollars, forcing importers to resort to money changers offering a higher exchange rate (up to 2,300 instead of the official rate of 1,514 LBP) and sparking price hikes in markets. Other than the economic crisis paralyzing the country, clashes erupted and violence threatened to tip largely peaceful demonstrations, leading people to stock up on food (whose prices have increased), with supermarket shelves being emptied out.
Despite the turmoil and real threats, we are still rescuing animals in urgent need of help, but our mission and work are threatened; Local support is decreasing by the day and for understandable reasons and the fate of more than a thousand dogs and cats, as well as wild birds, horses and donkeys is currently at stake. The situation was hard but now, we are fearing that soon enough, we will be unable to ensure the animals’ food and basic needs, since food providers and vets – also suffering from the harsh economy – need to be paid in advance. We are in dire need of your help in this horrible crisis since locals’ hands are tied. Every dollar counts and ensures the financial path we are trying to create for our NGO in these hard times. We solely exist on the kindness of your donations, and the animals who have suffered enough, depend on your support and generosity. The amount of 30$ ensures feeding a dog for a month. Please visit our Dog Gallery and sponsor a dog: https://betalebanon.org/get-involved/sponsor/ Or DONATE to our rescue fund: https://betalebanon.org/get-involved/donate/ The BETA team
As of now, fences for the dog areas and kennels are being set up, the horses’ stables have been built, and we are glad to announce that our horses and donkey will be moving to their new home in the next few weeks.
In the upcoming weeks/months, the focus will be on the kennels for dogs and the special designated area for seniors who desperately need a comfortable shelter that fulfills their needs. However, finishing up the construction has become more pressing, as it is only a matter of time before the unthinkable happens and the eviction notice is enforced and our hundreds of animals are thrown out of the current land, without having a refuge.
Your support has helped us achieve what seemed like a dream, and it is only your support that will provide hundreds of dogs, cats, horses, monkeys and a donkey with a decent shelter and a good life.
“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.” ― John Lennon
