Animals Lebanon - FAQ to help you care for your companion animal

It is usually best to speak to the person directly. Always be polite and respectful, and try to understand what the problem is and if there is an easy solution. If that does not work, you can speak to the landlord or building owner. Try any of the community leaders of the area or the local municipality.

Don’t forget to use our HELP form so we can help you. We can speak directly to the guardian and try to resolve the problem or see if they would be willing to give up the animal.

Unfortunately we currently have no legal ability to simply remove an animal from anyone. In other countries where there is better legislation and animal welfare is more of a priority, removing an animal almost always requires having the police or other government authority involved, not just an NGO.

We are working to enact the animal protection and welfare law, and this law will give us, other NGOs, individual citizens, and the government more ability to act quickly and directly when an animal is being abused.

Care for homeless cats and dogs

Can you come and remove the animals from our compound, business or area?

Removing all animals will result in new animals coming into the area. If there are still resources animals can use, and no more animals living in the area, new animals will come in and make this area their home.

We do not recommend removing all cats or dogs as this will not solve the problem, but there are steps to take and ways we can help.

Remove any food sources or shelters from the area so they animals are less likely to make it their home.

Consider spaying and neutering the animals so they will not breed and cause the population to increase. You will then have a limited number of healthy animals that you are familiar with and that will also discourage new animals from coming.

Check with the people in the area to see if they recognize the animal. You can bring the animal to a veterinarian to see if the animal has a microchip or may be recognized by the vet.

Inform animal welfare organizations and veterinary clinics, fill out the HELP form here so we can best assist, and look at the lost animals on our website to see if the guardian is already searching for the animal.

You can choose to foster the animal until the guardian is found, and we can help find fosters or an adopter if no guardian is found.

There are many steps you can take to help orphaned kittens, and please fill out the HELP form so we can best assist you

Kittens should stay with their mother if one is present. If there is no mother they will need to be given milk replacer until they are about a month old, and can then start eating wet and dry kitten food.

Do not let the kittens run loose in your home. They can be difficult to find, even harder to catch, and are not familiar with most of the things (and risks) in your home.

Any young kittens which seem shy or feral can be socialized using food and attention.

There are tens of thousands of homeless animals in Lebanon. No organization has the resources to take in all of these animals. There are not homes for all of these animals. Many animals do not do well in shelters as they are completely feral and not used to people. When an animal is removed from the streets another animal eventually fills the space.

Removing all cats and dogs from the streets does not address the underlying problems, and new animals will soon reappear.

As this is a concern nationwide for so many people and animals, Animals Lebanon is focusing on preventing problems before they start.

To see a humane, long term reduction in the number of homeless animals the sources of animals must first be controlled.

Through the animal protection and welfare law, and directly with municipalities, we are working to ensure that pet shops, breeders, training facilities and even vet clinics – any place that sells cats and dogs – is regulated so they do not contribute to homeless population.

Cats and dogs should also be identified and registered in case they are stolen, lost, or go missing, and to discourage guardians from abandoning their animals. Many homeless animals were simply abandoned by irresponsible guardians, they were not born on the streets.

Kittens are darling little animals that require extra special attention, care, and love.

When adopting a kitten at the appropriate age (6-8 weeks), caring for your kittens is fairly easy; you just need to make sure that her environment is safe, that she knows where the litter box is, and that she is eating food that is appropriate for her.

The best formula food to give to your newly adopted kitten is Baby cat food – Royal Canin.(formula, soft food, or dry, hard cat food). This formula is usually found at vet clinics only.

Keeping a safe environment means making sure that your kitten cannot jump out of any windows (2nd story and above) by having window screens, making sure there are no plants that are poisonous to cats in your home, making sure there are no poisonous substances within your kitten's reaches, ensuring that there are no dangling strings and things that your kitten could hang herself on, and making sure that there are no tiny, sharp objects on the ground that your kitten may swallow.

However, if you have a kitten that is younger than 6 weeks old, you will need to know how to properly care for you kitten in the absence of her mother.

Determine the age of the kitten to see if he or she needs to be bottle-fed or can start immediately on soft food:

Eyes closed, ears folded over - kitten is 1 - 14 days old
Eyes are open, kitten moves around but is wobbly - 2 - 3 weeks old
Eyes are open, ears up, can walk around - 3 - 4 weeks old
Running around and is difficult or impossible to catch - 4 - 8 weeks old or older.
1 - 3 weeks old - will need to be bottle-fed.

3 weeks and older - can be offered soft food, but may need to be bottle-fed. Below three weeks of age, kitten need to be bottle fed (bottle can be bought at vet clinics)

If the kitten is cold, warm her slowly by holding her against your bare skin, which will allow her to absorb your body's heat (if you are outside, your armpit makes a great incubator). Cold is the greatest danger to kittens. DO NOT submerge the kitten in water or use any method that will warm her temperature too quickly. Because she is not able to generate her own heat, wrapping the kitten in a blanket or towel is not sufficient. The kitten must get her heat from you. DO NOT feed a cold kitten. Wait until her body heat is approximately 32 + degrees Celsius. Kittens normal temperature is between 37.7 and 38.8 degrees Celsius . See section below regarding feeding instructions.

Make a kitten box. Put a heating pad or hot water bottle in a box big enough to accommodate the heating pad/bottle and an area that is not covered by the heating pad. Kittens will crawl

toward the heat when they are cold and away from the heat when they are warm. If they do not have an area where they can get away from the heat, they can become dehydrated and die. Turn the heating pad on LOW and cover it with a towel and if you are using the hot water bottle, make sure it is the right temperature, also always remember to wrap it with a towel.

If there is no hot water bottle available, empty shampoo bottles filled with hot water can be used. Wrap the hot water bottle in a thick towel, making sure that the fabric is at least doubled over the heat source, and place it in a box or plastic tub. Make sure that there is enough space beside the bottle for the kitten to crawl away if it overheats. Never let the kitten lie directly on the pad. Place the box in a warm and draft-free area.

Do not bathe the kitten. If you find a kitten that is wet, her body temperature must be normal, 32+ degrees Celsius. First use a towel drying the kitten as much as possible then put the kitten to the heating pad/hot water bottle covered with a towel. NEVER use a hair dryer.

Supplies you will need for orphan kittens:

Heating pad
Kitten Milk formula or replacement (from vet clinic)
Hot water bottle (must be wrapped in towel)
Feeding bottle and several nipples
Eye dropper or syringe (without needle)
Several bath towels for bedding and cleaning kittens
Scale for weighing kittens (optional)

Have Emergency Vet Clinic number handy. (see I have an emergency, what should I do?)

Feeding Instructions

It is very important to buy special kitty milk formula from a vet clinic. KMR (Kitten Milk Replacer) or Just Born are the best formulas to feed a neonatal kitten. Do not give a kitten cow's milk, except in an emergency. If you cannot obtain KMR immediately, use the following emergency recipe:

Warm the formula in a nursing bottle or medicine dropper by placing the bottle or dropper into a cup or bowl of hot water. Test the formula on the underside of your wrist to check the temperature. If it feels too warm or too cold on your wrist, it will feel the same for the kitten. If the formula is too hot, wait until the formula cools down If the formula is too cold, continue soaking the bottle or dropper in hot water. Always be sure to test the formula again before giving it to the kitten.

Place the kitten on her stomach at a 45-degree angle (just as a kitten would nurse from the mother) and let her nurse until she turns her head.

Do not hold the kitten's head back, and do not hold her on her back as you would a human baby, because the kitten could aspirate formula into her lungs.

Avoid getting air into the kitten's tummy by holding the bottle at an angle to keep liquid toward the nipple. Pulling ba ck slightly on the bottle will help trigger the kitten's sucking reflex.

Never squeeze the bottle to force milk to come out. Do not panic if the kitten does not eat the first day. She may be more accustomed to her mothers' milk, which is quite rich, and can sustain her for a longer time than replacement formulas. (If she is still not eating after 24 hours, seek veterinary assistance immediately. She may need to be force fed through a tube. Never attempt tube feeding yourself if you are unfamiliar with this procedure. If done improperly, esophageal or stomach damage, and even death can result.)

Important: After the kitten's stomach is full, it is necessary to stimulate her to help her eliminate. A kitten does not have the ability to do this until they are three weeks old. Stimulate by taking a wet, lukewarm, but not hot, washcloth or paper towel and gently massage the anal region in a small circular or back-and-forth motion. You may want to hold kitten over a towel or sink while stimulating her.

Feeding Schedule. This is a general guideline. A kitten will eat more often or less often, depending on the kitten. The label on the container of kitten formula you purchased should indicate the recommended amount to feed a kitten according to body weight. If a kitten cries, she is either cold or hungry. A contented kitten sleeps quietly.

Age in Weeks/Feedings per day

1 week old - needs 6 feedings per day
2 weeks old - needs 6 feedings per day
3 weeks old - needs 4 feedings per day
4 weeks old - needs 3 feedings per day

Never overfeed a kitten. Some kittens will eat and eat as long as food is offered to them. Follow the instructions and guidelines on the container of kitten formula. When the kitten is three to four weeks old, you can begin weaning the kitten with baby food (Royal Canin) or canned kitten food (royal canin) mixed with KMR – special kitty milk.

Kitten Producing Green Stool. Other problems to check for include green stool (indicates infection) and hard stool, which indicates that the kitten is not receiving enough formula. Consult a veterinarian in the case of green stool. If the stool is hard, feed more frequently, but don't provide more food during each feeding, as overfeeding can cause gas, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Emergencies with my pet

I have an emergency, what should I do?

If your cat or dog injured or seems poisoned or very sick, do not wait. These are all signs that you should take your animal to a vet immediately - pale gums, rapid breathing, weak or rapid pulse, change in body temperature, difficulty standing, apparent paralysis, loss of consciousness, seizures, excessive bleeding.

Call ahead to your vet to let them know what is wrong and that you are coming.

The following vets have 24 hour emergency services and should be able to assist in most cases:

Acacia Clinic, Verdun, 01 868669
Animal House Hospital, Dr. Elias Nicolas, Zalka Highway, next to Supermarket Fahed, phone 01 890 001 or 01 891 822, 24 hour emergency contact 03 664 969
Animal Life Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Michel Salemeh, Akkawi center, Jisr El Bacha Street, Hazmieh, phone 05-457662, 24 hour emergency contact 03 414 070
Animed, Dr. Walid Darwish, Oudaimeh Building, Sarba Highway, Keserwan, phone 09 645 558, 24 hour emergency contact 03 822 121
Le Veto, Dr. Abdo Kallasy, Monot, Rue Monot, before Little China restaurant ,Jounieh, Daaboul center, Haret Sakher, Jounieh Highway, phone 01 321 135 (Monot) and 09 635 822 (Jounieh), 24 hour emergency contact 03 840 810

There are a number of household cleaning products, indoor plants, and food and medication for people that can be harmful or toxic for your animal. Unfortunately people and the government sometimes put poisons or pesticides in public areas to get rid of insects or pests, and occasionally to target homeless cats and dogs.

Act quickly but do not panic. Call ahead to your vet to let them know what is wrong and that you are coming. If you know what your animal ate, safely bring a sample and any packaging so your vet can understand. Making your cat or dog vomit is not always the best option and depends on many factors including the type of poison and quantity.

If your animal is suffering a severe trauma, do not wait. Call ahead to your vet to let them know what is wrong and that you are coming. If there is external bleeding you can try elevating the wound and applying pressure.

Finding lost pets

These tips can help reunite you with your lost pet

Make sure your animal has a microchip for identification, and a collar and ID tag with your phone number so anyone can quickly contact you.

Act quickly, talking to friends, family and neighbors to see when they last saw your animal and let them know she is missing.

Search your house well as animals can often be hiding or sleeping out of sight.

Search around your building, neighbors and area to see if your animal may have escaped and is hiding.

Call animal welfare organizations and nearby vets as they might have found your animal or can help in the search.

Fill out the help form on our website so we can advertise your lost animal.

Put up flyers in your area, at veterinary clinics, and nearby stores, make sure to include a picture and description of your animal and your phone number

Check pet shops. Unfortunately lost or stolen animals sometimes end up for sale in shops.

Animals are often found weeks or months later, and sometimes return home on their own – don't give up.

Traveling with your pet

Tips for safe car rides

Only give a light meal in the hours before a car ride, and avoid feeding while in a moving car.

Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. Your animal could be stolen or could become sick or die from heat or cold.

Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification.

Keeping your animal in the back seat in a crate is safest.

Make an appointment with your animal's veterinarian for a checkup before the flight.

Make sure your animal has a microchip for identification

Book a direct flight whenever possible so your pet has less travel time.

Use an approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably.

Write the words 'Live Animal' in letters at least one inch tall on top of and at least one side of the crate. Use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. On the top of the crate, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet's destination point, and whether you will be accompanying him or if someone else is picking him up. Make sure that the door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency. Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels—to absorb accidents.

Before you leave, make sure you've frozen a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can't spill during loading, and will melt by the time he's thirsty. Tape a small pouch, preferably cloth, of dried food outside the crate. Airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he gets hungry on long-distance flights or a layover.

If you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet insist that airline personnel check the animal when possible.

Every day Animals Lebanon helps people safely travel with their pets. Usually cats and dogs, but sometimes even birds, rabbits, and reptiles. This guide will help you be prepared and safely move your pet according to regulations of Lebanon and the importing country.

BE PREPARED

These steps now are good for your pet and can help you travel more quickly

Ensure your pet has a medical booklet and is microchipped
Ensure your vaccines are up to date and the information recorded in a medical booklet
Have the right traveling crate for your pet, with food and water bowl and pee pad
Consider doing the rabies antibody test now if that is required by a country you may travel to

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE

It can be as short as a few days or can take more than three months. How much time the process takes can depend on many factors.

Kind of animal, breed, and age
Destination country
Airline
What stage of the process you already are

LEAVING LEBANON

For your pet to leave Lebanon safely and legally, as a minimum you need -

Medical booklet from your vet showing vaccinations & microchip
‘Fit for travel’ document from your local vet saying your animal is healthy for the trip
‘Quarantine export’ document from the government veterinary official at the airport
Transport crate hat meets IATA Live Animal Regulations standars

ENTERING OTHER COUNTRIES

Knowing the details of entry is your responsibility. Animals Lebanon will advise, but there are so many countries people fly to, and those rules can and do change.

Contact your local embassy
Contact the relevant government authorities in your country (often airport authorities, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Trade)
Ask the airline
Use a pet travel company when available

COUNTRY SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

These are the regulations of some of the countries we are asked for help most often.

AIRLINES

Each airline has different processes or regulations
Communicate early with the airline to understand and make a reservation for your pet
Animals are often required to travel in the cargo hold or in some cases in the cabin

Pet shipping companies

This is a cargo agent Animals Lebanon has used for years and works with pets daily. This is a paid service, and they can manage part or all the process.

Ali Assaad, SkyPet Pet Relocation, ali.t.assaad@gmail.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Need more help, email us at contact@animalslebanon.org
Need a cage, these are suppliers we use Sinno 01862141, Bolero 71193743 and Pet Market 03394447
No, we cannot overcome or go around any regulations, but we can help make the process as quick and inexpensive as possible

Animals will be happiest at home if they are given the same care. Can a friend or family member care for the animal? Check with your vet or a boarding facility such as Furry Tails 04 718 408.

Veterinary care

Does Animals Lebanon have a veterinarian on staff?

We do not have a veterinarian on staff. We use local vets for all of our companion animals, and consult international experts for specifics cases. Until we have a vet on staff we cannot offer any veterinary services, but we can direct you to good vets and in some cases can provide free or reduced cost services.

All vets have different background, experience and expertise, and we do not recommend any specific vet. The following vets should be able to assist in most cases and offer a range of services: Animal House Hospital, Dr. Elias Nicolas, Zalka Highway, next to Supermarket Fahed, phone 01 890 001 or 01 891 822, 24 hour emergency contact 03 664 969
MEKC Hospital, Dr. Gaby Hilan, Hazmieh, Damascus road, Facing Akl Décor Jounieh, Jounieh Highway, phone 05 454 007 (Hazmieh) and 09 853 459 (Jounieh), 24 hour emergency contact is not available
Animal Life Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Michel Salemeh, Akkawi center, Jisr El Bacha Street, Hazmieh, phone 05-457662, 24 hour emergency contact 03 414 070
Animed, Dr. Walid Darwish, Oudaimeh Building, Sarba Highway, Keserwan, phone 09 645 558, 24 hour emergency contact 03 822 121
Le Veto, Dr. Abdo Kallasy, Monot, Rue Monot, before Little China restaurant ,Jounieh, Daaboul center, Haret Sakher, Jounieh Highway, phone 01 321 135 (Monot) and 09 635 822 (Jounieh), 24 hour emergency contact 03 840 810

Choosing a vet is a personal decision and should ensure the best care for your cat or dog. If you have never had a vet, or are looking for a new vet, here are some things you should consider. Meet with the vet your first time without your animal to so you can see the clinic, speak to the vet, and understand what services are offered. Ask questions – what is the vets experience, what expertise do they have, what sort of equipment do they use, what services don’t they offer, are they easily available, can they help with emergencies, what sort of pain management do they use, do they offer boarding or after surgery care? Make sure you are comfortable with the vet and can communicate well.

To get the best veterinary care have the medical records and come prepared with the information your vet needs – your animal is counting on you!
How long have you had your animal?
Where did your animal come from?
What does your animal eat and drink and how much?
Is your animal behaving in a different way?
Is your animal couching, sneezing, vomiting or have diarrhea?

Guardians are responsible for the health of their animals. Veterinary care can often be expensive but there are things you can do to reduce this. Use a high quality food to provide the best nutrition possible. Take your animal for an annual check up to prevent problems rather than treat them. Don't skip vaccines or flea/tick treatment as that can lead to more expenses later. Spay or neuter your animal – you can prevent unwanted births and reduce certain medical risks.

Health records and medical booklets show the health and medical care of your animal over the course of life. They will help your vet understand the health of your animal, can be a reminder for follow up care, and may be necessary when traveling with your animal. Health records should include a complete medical history including the outcome of each visit, a description of any surgeries, a record of any medications prescribed and the treatment, all blood tests, ultrasounds and x-rays.

Food and nutrition

What kind of food does Animals Lebanon give to the cats and dogs it rescues?

We use only Royal Canin products and recommend using it or another premium quality food.

There isn't one type of food right for all animals, and dietary needs can change over an animals life. We recommend using a high quality food that is best for your animal, and you may need to ask your vet or try different foods to see what is best. Be consistent in the food you give and change only if for the best of your animal.

Use the highest quality dry food available, limit the amount of treats you give, and avoid giving scraps or 'human' food. Check with your vet if your dog has specific needs. Give your animal a meal in the morning and evening. How much you feed should be based on the product recommendations, your animals size and activity level. Be sure not to overfeed, and remember that factors such as weather and recovering from an illness or injury can affect the amount of food needed.

Newborn puppies normally receive all the nutrition they need from their mother’s milk. If there is no mother dog or the mother is not producing enough milk, use one of the milk replacers available from veterinary clinics and major supermarkets.

When the puppy is three to four weeks old she should start eating puppy food. You may need to start with small quantities and possibly wet food, and gradually get the puppy used to receiving dry food.

By the time a puppy is two months old she should be eating dry food consistently.

Newborn kittens normally receive all the nutrition they need from their mother’s milk. If there is no mother cat or the mother is not producing enough milk, use one of the milk replacers available from veterinary clinics and major supermarkets.

When a kitten is around four weeks old you can start introducing wet kitten food or moistened dry kitten food.

When a kitten is around six weeks old she should be eating dry food consistently and still nursing from the mother.

When a kitten is around two months old almost all of the nutrition should come from the kitten food, though the kitten may still receive milk from the mother.

Orphaned kittens, or those that cannot get milk from their mother, should be given a milk replacer available from veterinary clinics and major supermarkets. At about three weeks old the kittens should be introduced to dry kitten food, and moisten it with the prepared milk replacer. Slowly reduce the amount of milk replacer over the next weeks until the kitten is eating mainly dry food by six weeks old.

Water is essential for your dog or cat and necessary for the body to function. Your cat or dog should always have free access to fresh, clean drinking water, and the bowl or container should be changes daily. Use a stainless steel or shatter proof glass container as they will last longer and are easier to clean and stay safe than a plastic bowl.

A lack of water can have serious consequences, as little as a ten percent decrease can cause serious medical problems, and a continued decrease can lead to death.

There could be any number of reasons why an animal eats more, less, or stops eating completely. If your animal seems healthy and the character and behavior has not changes it is best to observe and see if they eat at the next feeding. If your animal has stopped eating and her character or behavior has changed, or if your animal is vomiting, or stopped eating completely, then you should consult your vet immediately.

Spaying, neutering, and TNR

What is spaying and neutering?

Spaying is a veterinary procedure to remove the ovaries and uterus of a female cat or dog. Neutering is a veterinary procedure to remove the testicles of your male cat or dog. Both procedures require a short amount of time at the vet, and you should be able to take your animal home with you the same day with minimal follow up.

Spaying or neutering your animal is an important decision and there are many benefits.

It can reduce the risks of certain diseases or illnesses.

Your will prevent your female animal from going into heat and wanting to mate, and the unwanted behaviors that can come when an animal wants to mate.

Your male animal is less likely to run away searching for another animal to mate with, and can prevent spraying to mark territory in your home.

The procedure might seem expensive but it can save you money. Certain medical risks are reduced, you avoid the cost of caring for new litters of puppies and kittens, and your animal is less likely to run away.

You will help prevent unwanted litters and not contribute to the problem of homeless animals. Spaying and neutering is one of the most important components of a humane population management program.

Spaying and neutering does not change an animal’s character or cause them to become overweight.

TNR stands for Trap, Neuter and Return. It is a method of safely and humanely trapping cats and dogs living on the streets, having them spay or neutered and vaccinated, returning them to the area they live, and ensuring they have what they need to survive.

This is the safest, most humane, and often least costly way to manage homeless populations. It is also the only 100% effective way to prevent unwanted births and more puppies and kittens ending up on the streets.

Unfortunately some people may just not accept any animals on the streets, or may think TNR is cruel or against their beliefs. You may need to explain to people that TNR can help humanely reduce the number of homeless animals, improve the health of homeless animals, and result in less smell and noise.

Other

Still have questions?

If you have a specific question email it to contact@animalslebanon.org - we will answer you and add it here to help everyone.

- Keep plenty of water available for your pet at all times. Make sure the water is cool and fresh, and keep it in the shade.

- Put out multiple bowls of water on really hot days. Use bowls that can’t be tipped, and place them in a shady and (relatively!) cool spot.

- Older pets are even more susceptible to the heat, so keep a special eye on them. Watch for indications that they are having trouble breathing.

- Dogs tend to enjoy sitting in the sun. But lots of time spent in the sun can cause heat stroke and increase the risk of skin cancers. So be sure to provide a shady area for your dog at all times

- Help your dog cool off with a kid’s paddling pool. Put just a couple of inches of water in it, and place it in a shady location.

- Add a few cubes of ice to your pets’ water bowls. They’ll enjoy it,and it will help to keep their body temperature down

- If your pets can’t be in an air-conditioned area, consider placing a fan where it will blow on them.

- Exercise your pets only in the early morning or late evening. Avoid the hottest part of the day.

- Freeze some treats and give them to your pets. It will keep them busy for a while and help cool them down.

- Some longhaired dogs will benefit from a trim. Check with your vet.

DANGER signs that indicate your dog is in distress due to heat:

- vomiting or excessive drooling

- fatigue

- heavy panting or obvious difficulty breathing

- diarrhea

- seizures

- disorientation

- obvious paleness or graying to the gums

WHAT TO DO:

If you notice any of these signs, immediately move your dog to a cooler environment. You can also spray the dog with water. If you have a thermometer and you notice the dog's temperature is higher than 40 degrees you can apply cool packs to the groin area, and wipe their paws with cool water.

At any signs of heat stress immediately contact your vet and seek advice. Heat stroke can potentially cause serious internal problems that may not become obvious for some time.