Help Us Save Lebanon’s Abandoned and Abused Animals

Hello, my name is Lana Chehab, and I recently graduated with my undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. I’m now hoping to apply to law school, but even as I look ahead to the future, my heart remains deeply connected to Lebanon, my home. Though I no longer live there, Lebanon is still a part of me. It is a country rich in history and culture, but one that has been suffering through an unthinkable series of crises—economic collapse, political instability, and violence. The Beirut explosion in 2020 left the city in ruins, displacing thousands of people and animals alike. And now, a new war threatens to tear the country apart once again.

In the chaos, countless animals have been abandoned, adding to the already high stray count. These innocent animals are left on the streets to fend for themselves. Many are hit by cars, left to die in agony, abused for sport, or even shot by heartless individuals. It is heartbreaking to see them suffer, but what’s even more heartbreaking is that there are few places to turn for help.

In Lebanon, there are no government-funded animal shelters. The rescue and care of animals is entirely dependent on volunteers and private donations. Due to the ongoing economic crisis, many people in Lebanon are unable to contribute to these efforts, leaving the animals to rely heavily on donations from abroad.

There are two incredible individuals, Hassan Saadi and Dayana Beainy, who risk their lives every single day to give these animals a second chance. But they can’t do it alone.

Hassan is a true hero. He spends his days searching through rubble and debris, finding injured animals in the aftermath of bombings and attacks. He never gives up on them. He provides them with critical medical care, and ensures the animals are spayed/neutered to help reduce the stray population. But, the cost of surgeries, medications, wheelchairs, and the basic supplies to keep them alive is overwhelming. Hassan is dedicated, but he cannot bear the financial burden alone.

Dayana, on the other hand, opened a shelter for over 200 dogs. She was given a plot of land where she could care for these abandoned and abused animals, offering them a place to heal. But her shelter is far from ideal. The dogs are kept in small, cramped cages, many of them unable to see the sunlight. Dayana spends every day tending to their needs, changing diapers, cleaning their wounds, and giving them love. But she dreams of something more. She dreams of a world where these dogs can run free on the land, instead of being locked up, confined to small spaces.

The one thing standing in the way of Dayana’s dream is a fence—a fence that would allow the dogs to roam safely, without the constant threat of abuse or danger. If the dogs were to roam freely without the fence, they would wonder further of the property, becoming susceptible to being shot and abused for sport. The cost of building a proper fence across the entire property is over $10,000. This is a sum far beyond Dayana’s ability to raise on her own.

I see the videos Dayana and Hassan post on social media, showing the injuries these animals endure—injuries caused by humans. I cry every time I watch them. The emotional toll is unbearable, but it only fuels my resolve to help.

These rescuers are fighting an uphill battle. They cannot continue their work without our support. They need our help to save these animals and give them a fighting chance.

Please, join me in raising the funds necessary to keep these two incredible people doing the work they do. Every penny will go directly to providing medical care, shelter, and a better life for these animals. We can help Hassan continue his tireless work of rescuing injured animals. We can help Dayana make her dream of a free-roaming shelter a reality.

There are countless dedicated volunteers in Lebanon who need funding to continue their work. The great thing is that many of them know each other and are always willing to lend a hand. As a result, your donations will not only support these two individual's efforts but will also help save animals across the entire country who are being rescued by other volunteers.

Together, we can offer hope and a future to these animals who have known only pain and suffering. Please, let’s stand with these brave rescuers and make sure the animals of Lebanon get the chance they deserve.

When you choose to donate, you won’t just be sending support from afar—you’ll be part of these animals' journeys. I will provide social media links for both Hassan and Dayana, so you can message them directly, ask about the animals, and even watch the videos they post showing the incredible progress these animals make thanks to your help. You’ll have the chance to see, with your own eyes, the life-changing impact you’re having. And if there’s a particular animal that touches your heart, you can request your donation go directly to them. Each animal has a story, a name, and a chance at a better life—because of you.

Social Media Links for Hassan Saadi:

https://facebook.com/hassan.saadi.940641

Instagram Username: @mr.hassansaadi

TikTok: @mr.hassansaadi

YouTube: @hassansaadii

WhatsApp: +961 71 816 338

(Hassan speaks and understands English)

Social Media Links for Dayana Beainy:

Facebook: The Shouf Dog Shelter

Instagram Username: @the_shouf_dog_shelter

TikTok: @theshoufdogshelter

WhatsApp: +961 76 894 141

(Dayana speaks and understands English)

I’d like to share an example of the incredible work Hassan is doing. One of the dogs he rescued was a black dog named Knight who was shot while he was asleep. I asked Hassan to explain Knight’s story in his own words:

"I rescued Knight and transported him to Tripoli, where he stayed for seven days in stable condition. He couldn’t pee or poop on his own, and the doctors told me he had very little chance of walking again, as he had lost the nerves in his leg and tail.

I couldn’t bear to see him stuck in a cage, looking so sad, unwilling to eat or even look at us. He seemed to want to give up on life, overwhelmed by the depression and stress he was facing. So, I decided to take him to Beirut and consult with one of the most reputable doctors, Roy Hassoun. We did a CT scan, and the results showed that Knight had a broken spinal cord, with little hope of recovery. The doctor said he would be paralyzed for life and would never walk again. Some even suggested euthanizing him to end his suffering, but we couldn’t give up on him so easily.

We decided to continue his treatment, and after five days, the progress was beyond our expectations. With care, attention, and love, Knight showed miraculous improvements.

Now, Knight can move his injured leg a little and can pee and poop on his own. It’s nothing short of a miracle. We are now raising funds to help Knight walk again and live a healthy, happy life. He needs surgery to remove the bullets still lodged in his back, and the cost of the surgery is around $1,400.

We are hopeful that we can raise the necessary funds because Knight has shown us that miracles are possible. Just five days ago, he was lying down, refusing to eat, and now he’s smiling at us, eating, drinking, and even moving both of his legs. As soon as we raise the amount needed, we will move forward with his surgery, and we are confident he will continue to improve."

Knight’s story is just one of many that will break your heart but also show you the power of hope and resilience. Knight is currently waiting to be adopted at Dayana's shelter. You can follow Knight’s story on Hassan’s Facebook. This is Knight:

This is Angel, another dog Hassan recently picked up off the streets. She is in bad shape and fighting for her life.

Your donation could mean the difference between life and death for these innocent animals. They are depending on us.

**Please note that GoFundMe charges a small fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per donation. If you're able to cover this fee while donating that would help ensure that more funds are sent to the animals in need.**

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Any contribution will make a life changing impact for these animals.