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CHAI: Giving New Life to Animals in Israel
During times of political upheaval, the concerns of animals are often ignored. While the human tragedy caused by the unrest in Israel is well documented, the plight of animals is relatively unknown.
When people's properties are destroyed and they are forced to relocate, animals often lose their homes too. Wild animals face the prospect of having to flee their habitats to survive, while domesticated animals are at grave risk of remaining trapped and abandoned without food or water on farms, in homes, or in zoos. PETA fights for animals around the world but depends on the invaluable support of local people who work fearlessly to better the lives of animals.
After settlers evacuated Gaza and the West Bank, countless dogs, cats, and other animals were left behind with no ability to survive under the extreme conditions during the disengagement. The "lucky" few who escaped the massive bulldozers were left to die of hunger, thirst, and injuries.
Hakol Chai, the Israel-based sister charity of Concern for Helping Animals in Israel (CHAI), responded to the challenge by entering Gaza with its emergency mobile clinic to assist in a special mission: rescuing animals left behind. Equipped with medicine and a handful of dedicated volunteers, the group raced against the clock to rescue any animals left behind—abandoned, escaped, or stray—before the Israel Defense Forces locked the gates to empty Jewish settlements. What the rescuers found were animals left without food or water, caged in the sweltering heat; dogs and cats left inside homes soon to be demolished, anxiously waiting for their caretakers to return; and sick and injured animals caught in the crossfire of civil unrest. To date, the team has rescued more than 100 animals, including cats, dogs, ducks, turkeys, goats, lizards, and parakeets.
While we continue to receive a steady stream of cruelty reports from countries in the Middle East, it is evident that Israeli officials now have to deal with a very well-organized group of Israeli citizens who will not rest until all animals are treated with respect.
For more information, please visit http://www.chai-online.org/.
You can improve the lives of dogs and cats suffering from cruelty and neglect.
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