In Lebanons capitol city of Beirut, volunteers with Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (BETA) say it has already taken in dozens of cats and dogs that were abandoned by Americans and others after the rise in hostilities on July 12.
BETA has moved many of the abandoned cats to a relatively safe Beirut neighborhood, while dogs are being taken to an abandoned pig farm about 10 miles east of the capitol.
Meanwhile in Israel, volunteers were also trying to save animals abandoned by owners fleeing their homes in the north to escape Hezbollah rocket attacks.
The organization has taken in about 200 animals, mainly cats and dogs, so far, according to Tamara More, general manager of the Israeli animal rescue organization Ahava.
More said volunteers were going into northern towns and cities to feed abandoned animals. There are thousands of dogs and cats roaming the streets, More said.
On July 19, the United States began evacuating its citizens from Lebanon because of ongoing and escalating violence in the region. However, U.S. citizens leaving the country have not been allowed to bring their pets, forcing many owners to abandon the animals if they could not make prior arrangements for them.
Posted: July 27, 2006, 5 a.m. EST