Animal Charity Is Reuniting Pets With Their Owners In Beirut

Owners are being reunited with their pets in Beirut following the devastating explosion on Tuesday (4 August).

Animal welfare group Animals Lebanon is helping to get pets and their owners back together after many were displaced in the blast.

Executive director Jason Mier said the reunions were 'making people happy' during an 'overwhelming' time, Metro reports.

He said: "The goal really now is to reunite people with their lost pets, and that's been working well, we've found owners of at least 20 dogs and cats so far."

The group is also treating animals injured in the incident.

Mier said this is the 'most difficult situation' the group has had to face, adding: "We've been contacted a couple of hundred times so far since last night, we are the main animal welfare organisation in the country.

"So far today we have had more than 40 people out, working in teams of two or three, and that has been ongoing since 8pm last night.

"The goal is to keep going, I know we're doing good stuff, I know we're making people happy, but it's overwhelming for everybody."

In one clip a dog can be seen furiously wagging its tail as two men approach before rushing up to one of the men and jumping up.

At least 135 people died and more than 5,000 have been left injured by the blast, which has also left an estimated 300,000 without a home.

The charity says it doesn't know how many animals were injured or displaced in the explosion.

Mier added: "With the compounding of all these things, the economic crisis, the government collapse... coronavirus, rising unemployment, and now this blast. This is the most difficult situation we've ever been in.

"We're just trying to get through the day. There's a lot of people ready to help."

You can find out more about the work Animals Lebanon is doing, or donate, here.

Rescue efforts are still ongoing in the city.

President Michel Aoun has said the explosion was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used for fertiliser, that had been stored unsafely in a warehouse.

Aoun said: "No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night, turning it into a disaster-stricken city."

You can donate to the Lebanese Red Cross here.

Featured Image Credit: Animals Lebanon

Topics: World News, Animals

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

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