By Carly Ikuma

Nations around the world are scrambling to evacuate their citizens from war-torn Lebanon, but few of the escape plans account for pets.

In a July 19, 2006 letter addressed to President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, The Humane Society of the United States and its international affiliate, Humane Society International, implored the U.S. government to bear in mind the concerns of evacuees with pets. The HSUS and HSI have offered their assistance.

"The current no-pets policy needlessly endangers the animal companions of American citizens, whose evacuation can easily be accomplished alongside their caregivers," the letter states. "The negative consequences of excluding pets from evacuation scenarios are one of the principal lessons from Hurricane Katrina, during which many people refused to leave dangerous situations if they could not take their pets with them."

When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast region of the United States in August 2005, many people who were forced to evacuate were told that they could not bring their pets.  Some people stayed and died alongside their animal friends. An untold number of animals left behind died from starvation and disease.

The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, currently under consideration in the U.S. Senate after approval in the U.S. House of Representatives, would require state and local authorities to consider the needs of individuals with pets in the event of a disaster.

On the Ground

At the moment, it is too dangerous for animal welfare and disaster groups to go to Lebanon. HSI is currently working with the World Society for the Protection of Animals, and both groups are providing emergency funds to help the Lebanese animal welfare organization, Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, whose shelter was partially destroyed in a rocket strike. Fortunately, all animals and staff are fine. Dogs and cats at the shelter have been moved to a safer place for the time being.

Joelle Kanaan, co-founder of BETA, said she has received numerous pleas for help from owners who have had to evacuate.

"The roads to the South [Lebanon] are cut, all bridges destroyed and the area is being bombed non-stop," Kanaan said.  "I have tears now, imagining the very painful and slow death these animals are facing and the extreme fear they are living, not knowing what's happening to them and why it is happening. And the saddest part about it is that we know about them and cannot reach them and rescue them."

BETA is currently taking the lead in aiding as many animals as it can, and HSI and WSPA have pledged to continue their support during this time of conflict.

France is currently the only country with an evacuation plan that includes companion animals. According to an animal welfare group close to the situation, sources in the Middle East have reported that the French military is allowing citizens to evacuate with their pets. As of July 21, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom are not softening their stance on the "no-pets" policy.

Carly Ikuma is a program assistant with Humane Society International.