We were honoured by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, International (SPCAI) SPCA International proudly honoured BETA for its “hard work to protect all animals in Lebanon”. They awarded their “Shelter of the Week grant” to allow us to expand our Trap, Neuter & Return program.

We have built Lebanon’s leading animal shelter: Sustainably designed and built in accordance with international standards, our new shelter opened it’s doors in 2021. We are able to comfortably accommodate 960 dogs, 250 cats, with a common area for the dogs’ to play in and a specially designated area for our senior dogs. Our horses are flourishing in their own stables and our monkeys are thriving in a sanctuary that imitates their natural environment. We also have a new aviary which houses our injured birds whilst they recuperate until they are fully healed and released back into their natural habitat. With your support, we’ve grown from feeding a handful of strays on the streets to caring for 1000+ animals.

We rescue ALL animals ALL year round: To date, BETA has successfully rescued 1200+ of animals from neglect and abuse. We successfully saved 83 dogs from an abusive puppy mill - implementing the largest animal rescue operation in Lebanon – ensuring the permanent closure of this horrendous facility and many like it. BETA brought charges against and successfully closed down a further puppy mill in the centre of Beirut, rescuing 40 dogs. We shut down a fake veterinarian practice who was performing surgeries and replacing diseased pets with animals he kept horrendously caged – in the hope that the pet owner would realise! In a further unprecedented step in the history of animal protection in Lebanon, BETA obtained an order from the Ministry of Agriculture to seize a dog who had been living under appalling conditions for two years. Rescues often take place in situations that are life threatening for the animals and are often dangerous and difficult for our teams to accomplish but we make sure that each and every one of our rescues is a success.

Sent a dog killer to prison In the first of its kind and before Lebanon’s animal welfare law was passed, BETA succeeded in prosecuting, penalising and sending a man to jail for the horrendous killing of a dog. An act of sheer barbarity, the prison sentence sends a chilling warning to others that Lebanon’s judicial system does not tolerate the abuse of animals. Viewer discretion highly advised

We find our cats & dogs their forever homes By the end of 2023, BETA has succeeded in finding loving homes for over 5,500 cats and dogs. BETA liaises with individuals and partner organisations across the globe willing to support our mission to find our cats & dogs their forever homes. The leading U.S. non-profit group Best Friends, who operate the U.S.’ largest animal sanctuary, flew 150 dogs and 150 cats from Beta to their Dogtown facility in Utah. Dogtown showers their animals with the TLC and training they need to heal and thrive so that they can go on to find their loving forever home. A further group of Beta’s dogs travelled with members of a Lebanese wedding party to be cared for at Canada’s For the Love of Paws Animal Rescue facility and on to their forever homes. Following months of planning, volunteers from the Animal Rescue centre described the pickup at the airport in Montreal as “exhilarating as Christmas morning”. BETA has been proud to work with Magnificent Mutt Chicago, Rescue All Dogs, Rocky Road Rescue and Chats du Mercantour.

We provide dog therapy for sick & disabled children: BETA developed a pioneering programme with Oumnia, a charity that cared for sick and disabled children, to introduce dogs to young patients. A select number of BETA’s dogs would visit the children at the hospital to help boost the children’s self-confidence and independence. “We had some children who didn’t speak at all and with the dogs they really started to manage and to speak … and to speak to others and to play. It was fantastic really. I think dog therapy is a very good thing for children.” Marie-Gabrielle Phares, vice-president of Oumnia

We educate the next generation: BETA has partnered with schools across Lebanon to promote compassion and understanding of animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. We hope to create future generations who are kinder to animals and respect their value. Learning empathy and compassion is vital for children’s personal development – especially in a country ravaged with wars, civil and economic unrest. Beta believes that teaching care and respect for animals from an early age will improve the future welfare of animals, resulting in a reduction in cases of abuse and neglect and a benefit to society as a whole.