 Hakol Chai, CHAI's Sister Charity in
Israel, Enters Gaza to Rescue Abandoned
Animals
 
click on thumbnails to enlargeHakol Chai volunteer
in Gaza rescues a cat,
and Yafit, a staff member, rescues a
turkey
August
24, 2005, day 5: Hakol Chai's clinic again entered Gaza,
searching for animals abandoned by departing settlers.
Hakol Chai volunteer
& Tali, Hakol Chai staff member, with a very fortunate little
dog!
So far, we have picked up
cats, dogs, chickens, turkeys, lizards, ducks, geese, and even
parakeets. Seventeen thirsty goats found without water were given
water, and their location was reported to the Veterinary Services. A
dog was found who had been stolen five years before, resulting in a
dispute between his original guardians, identified by a microchip,
and his current ones. A tiny kitten hanging on the edge of survival
was saved by Hakol Chai's veterinarian. Forty parakeets in a
cage were removed from one home. A "pinat chai," or animal corner
for children, was found with lizards, ducks, and geese.
Yafit, Hakol Chai's mobile clinic assistant, rescuing a
chicken
The Army escorted the clinic
from settlement to settlement, and it has now traveled everywhere
within the Gush Katif region in southern Gaza, including Morag, Neve
Dekalim, Shalev, Atzmona, Netzer
Hazani, Gan Or, and Rafiah Yam, and also to Kfar Darom and Netzarim in
the center of Gaza. Hakol Chai's clinic is the
only mobile clinic, with veterinarian and trained staff, working in
the territories. Our work in Gaza has been filmed by the Army, and
footage has been featured on the main TV station in Israel. Radio
channels and newspapers, print and online, in Israel and abroad have
also carried the story, including the BBC.
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Our mobile clinic next to an
abandoned house in
Gaza, ready to accept the animals left
behind |
Avi, Hakol Chai's
photographer,
with
parakeets |
August 19, 2005, day 1: Today, Hakol Chai's
mobile spay/neuter clinic, veterinarian, and staff entered Gaza to
begin rescuing animals abandoned there. The clinic's first stop was
Morag, where they rescued dogs and cats left behind by departing
settlers.
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| Mobile clinic entering
Gaza |
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| Two kittens
just before they were rescued |
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Dog being put into clinic by
Tali, Hakol Chai staff member, with soldiers' help |
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August 17, 2005:
Yesterday, at the Erez checkpoint, the Israeli Army briefed a
contingent of animal protection organizations before granting them
entry into the Gaza settlements to rescue the animals left behind.
With this permission from the Army and the Veterinary Services, Hakol Chai, CHAI's Israeli-based sister
charity, will enter Gaza with its 23 foot mobile spay/neuter clinic,
equipped with 30 cages, humane traps, experienced veterinarian and
two veterinary assistants, plus dedicated volunteers to assist in a
special mission — rescuing animals settlers leave behind.
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At the Erez
checkpoint: Hakol Chai staff and Israeli
soldiers |
"Israel's expressed
intention to be sensitive and behave responsibly during the
disengagement should apply to all living beings," says Hakol
Chai's Director, Merav Barlev. "Cats and dogs left behind by
departing settlers have no ability to survive under the extreme
conditions that will exist during and after the disengagement.
Without our help, when all that remains is dust and ruins, those who
escape the massive bulldozers will die of hunger, thirst, and
injuries."
Some of the animals who are
the object of the charity's concern are abandoned strays, others are
companion animals left behind by settlers sent to hotels, or moving
to apartments not large enough to house them all. Rescued animals
will be transferred to shelters and Hakol
Chai/CHAI
will help with efforts to rehome them. The contingent of rescue
organizations was coordinated by the Veterinary Services within the
Agriculture Ministry, which is charged with dealing with animals in
the territories.
Through its attorneys,
Hakol Chai appealed to Ilan Cohen, Chief of Staff of the
Prime Minister's office, Israel Katz, Minister of Agriculture,
Shalom Simhon, Minister of the Environment, and Ehud Olmert,
Minister of Finance, asking them to allocate funds for this
life-saving rescue mission, either through the special fund set
aside to help animals within the Ministry of the Environment, or to
the official charged with animal issues within the Ministry of
Agriculture, Dganit Ben-Dov, DVM.
Hakol Chai's Director
Barlev's appeal to settlers being evacuated: "If you have difficulty
finding a solution for your companion animals or for the strays you
have been feeding, please do not abandon them, thinking they will
manage. The combination of circumstances will result in their
suffering and death. Let us help you!" And to the public: "Please
show compassion and adopt these animal refugees to your home and
heart to prevent their needless
suffering."
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