Our News & Updates – BETA Lebanon

01 Oct

Forgotten Souls of September

Dear Supporter,Every September, as the school bells ring and families slip back into the rhythm

$To someone who cares, When you picture a dog’s life, what comes to mind? Joyful barks at the door. Lazy naps on a sunlit couch. Walks in the park. Birthday treats and silly hats. A favorite toy, worn soft from years of love. A warm hand reaching down to say, “Good boy.” “Good girl.” Now picture this instead: A dog who has never been inside a home. Who has never had a person of their own. Who has spent ten, twelve — even fifteen — years behind shelter walls. Watching other dogs leave. Waiting quietly for a turn that never came. Every day, these dogs wake up in the same place they’ve always known. Their lives are filled with routine: a warm meal, the familiar voices of caregivers, the comfort of longtime canine companions. We love them deeply. We care for them the best we can. But no matter how devoted we are, we can never give them what they’ve missed: A couch to curl up on. A name spoken with love. The feeling of being someone’s one and only. This is the story of over 200 senior dogs at BETA today. And it’s the only story they’ve ever known. More than half of them came to us as puppies — abandoned, injured, or born into a world that overlooked them. We promised them safety. We gave them shelter, food, medical care, and love. But somehow, in the chaos of overcrowding, they were passed by. Forgotten. Never chosen. They grew up in the shelter. And now, they are growing old here too. Some are shy and gentle, still waiting to be discovered. Others have grown weary — their eyes a little cloudy, their legs a little stiff. But they are still hopeful. They still perk up when volunteers and visitors walk by. They still wag their tails when their names are called — even if those names have only ever been spoken by us. They don’t ask for much. Just comfort. Kindness. A quiet place to rest. We do everything we can to give them that. But the truth is: THEY DESERVE MORE! Since the start of this year, 33 of our senior dogs have passed away. Not one of them ever had a home. Not one of them ever slept beside a human heart. We mourn them every day. And we carry on — for the ones who are still with us. Each senior dog costs us around $40 per month in basic care: food, medicine, flea treatments, vet visits, bedding, and warmth. That’s more than $48,000 a year just to support these faithful souls who have already given us their entire lives. Here is where you come in. When you sponsor a senior dog, you are doing something profound. You are telling them: "You matter. You are loved. You are not forgotten." You are keeping them warm, fed, and cared for. You are helping us carry their story forward. You are honoring the 33 we lost by standing beside the 200 who are still here — still hoping. Sponsorship starts at just $25/month. You can even sponsor in memory of a loved one, or as a gift in someone’s name. And when you do, you become part of a legacy of compassion that reaches far beyond one life. These dogs may never run through a backyard. They may never sit at someone’s feet during dinner. But with your help, they will be cherished. Their final chapter can be one of dignity, warmth, and love. Please, sponsor a senior dog today. Help us ensure that no life at BETA ends feeling unseen. With hope and gratitude, — The BETA Team Rescue of the month Four-year-old Sherlock was found on the streets in devastating condition—hit by a car, his jaw shattered, his eye forced out of its socket. He had maggots in his mouth, a severe respiratory infection, and his intestines were filled with air from struggling to breathe. He was rushed to the ICU and stabilized, too fragile for surgery but finally safe. A feeding tube was inserted to ease his pain—and slowly, Sherlock began to fight back. Not even a week later, he started showing incredible signs of progress: he’s eating on his own and responding well to treatment. One major fracture has been repaired, though now stable, Sherlock is still under close observation, as he’s not gaining weight as expected. But his spirit remains unshaken—gentle, sweet, and full of quiet resilience. Transformation of the month Kanye was found on the streets of Jounieh—forgotten, broken, and barely holding on. A quiet fighter, he had survived more than any animal should. His body told the story: a shattered leg, open wounds, mange, infections, severe anemia. He was weak, in pain, and near the end. But Kanye never gave up. Not on life, not on hope, not on people. Thanks to our team, he’s now healed. His wounds are gone, his strength is back, and his spirit has returned. He’s gone from surviving to thriving—from broken to whole. Now, Kanye is ready for a forever home. At 8–9 years old, he’s gentle, soulful, and full of love. He’s looking for someone patient and kind—someone who will show him the peace and care he’s always deserved. Adopt Kanye. Give him the beautiful ending he’s fought so hard for. Pet of the month Meet Khari, our beautiful old soul — a chocolate Labrador rescued from the streets of South Lebanon. When she first arrived, her spirit was completely shattered. She had given up. Her eyes were full of sorrow, her body frail and tired. She is around 12 years old, born in 2013, and suffers from arthritis. Her legs don’t carry her far anymore, and long walks are behind her. All she needs now is a soft bed, some sunshine, and someone to love her deeply in the time she has left. She’s the kind of dog who will lean into your hand for comfort. Who asks for nothing but gives so much warmth in return. She quietly steps outside to do her business, then finds her way back to her corner to rest. She is sweet, calm, and utterly precious. We love her so much — but a shelter is no place for her final chapter. Khari deserves to spend the rest of her life in a home, not behind a gate.Please, if you have space in your heart for a senior girl who won’t ask for much but will mean everything — give Khari the peace and comfort she’s been waiting for. Let her know love in her final days. Let her feel what it's like to truly belong. She deserves that… and so much more.$

01 Sep