Rescued Gaza Pets find Temporary Homes in Rehovot

"It's not every day that a goose is relocated to a new home, or for that matter hundreds of other dogs, cats, turkeys, chickens, lizards, ducks and parakeets. However, that's exactly what's been happening to animals in Gush Katif, who have not been evacuated by soldiers or police, but rather by volunteer workers in animal protection organizations like Noach and Kol Chai, who have volunteered to save these animals from starvation in the abandoned homes.

It is a slow process and workers are having an especially difficult time knowing exactly how many animals still have to be saved. According to Tali Lavie of Kol Chai, so far "over 100 animals have been rescued." But there are hundreds more that still need to be taken out of their homes and placed into shelters because their owners are not able to bring them into hotels.

As Gush Katif pet owners wait until they are once again able to retrieve their animals, shelters are becoming increasingly crowded. Shelly Gluzman, chairperson of Noach, the animal rights umbrella organization, believes that it is becoming imperative that new shelters be built. "The shelters simply can no longer hold the amount of animals coming in," she said.

Until these organizations are able to relocate the owners of these animals, the animals will remain in shelters throughout the country including Jerusalem, Rehovot, and Rishon Lezion."

Source: Anav Silverman. Pets rescued from empty Gaza homes (25 August 2005) [FullText]