Happy New Year to everyone. We hope that 2025 brings a peaceful resolution to this conflict and the easing of checkpoint closures. Despite the ongoing challenges, Diana remains dedicated to alleviating the suffering of animals in the West Bank.
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We've given our shelter a makeover! 🛠️ The outdoor area is now all concrete with sand, making it easier to clean and more comfortable for our dogs. Plus, we've added cozy wooden pallets covered in carpets to keep them warm during the colder months. 🐶❤️ A heartfelt thank you to our generous donors for making this happen
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A Winning Partnership: Animal and Environment Association, Network for Animals and Bethlehem University
We are thrilled to announce its successful collaboration with Bethlehem University and the Netherlands-based @networkforanimals in the “Global Citizenship, Sustainability, and Service-Learning” initiative. This was recently recognized at the V Global Symposium on Service-Learning in Rome, has garnered a prestigious Uniservitate Award with a Special Mention.
A Shared Vision for a Better Future
This groundbreaking initiative, comprised of ten innovative projects, aims to integrate sustainability and real-world problem-solving, these projects equip people with practical skills while addressing critical community needs.
The Animal and Environment Association proudly partnered with Bethlehem University’s Department of English and Communications on one of these projects, focusing on rescuing stray dogs and cats in Palestine. This initiative, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), was incorporated into the “Advocacy” course taught by Mr. Ramzi Asali.
A Collaborative Effort for Animal Welfare
The student-led project involved:
Conducting a thorough needs assessment
Producing a compelling storytelling video for fundraising
Organizing awareness sessions for university students
Hosting dog-walking events to promote adoption and fostering
The Animal and Environment Association expresses its sincere gratitude to Animal Heroes and Bethlehem University. The success of “Global Citizenship, Sustainability, and Service-Learning” reflects our shared commitment to fostering education that seamlessly blends academic excellence with meaningful societal engagement.
__________________________________________________________________________________Dog Survives Near-Fatal Poisoning
Trigger Warning: Convulsions. Skip video to 00:10
A young man from Diana's neighborhood saw a female dog suffering severely from poisoning and immediately called for help. Steve quickly arrived with a taxi, and they rushed her to Dr. Ahmad Abu Dayyeh, who was working late into the night. Thanks to his quick intervention, the dog was saved, but she still requires aftercare. She stayed overnight at the clinic, and the next day we took her to a shelter where she is receiving medicine to help strengthen her body. If we hadn't acted so quickly, she wouldn't have survived.
It is heartbreaking to think that someone would use poison to harm innocent animals. We don't know who poisoned her, nor if other animals in the area have fallen victim to the same fate.
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A Community Rallies to Help a Sick Dog
Many people reached out to Diana to help a female dog in Nablus suffering from a large, painful mass on her belly. The dog had been fed by a man named Hamudeh Shihadeh, who informed Shatha Afaneh, who then posted about the dog on a local Facebook group.
Diana contacted Usama Hamadneh, an old friend of the shelter from Nablus, to pick up the dog and transport her to Royal Care Hospital. The dog received pain medication overnight and was subsequently sponsored by an association to be transferred to their clinic.
Veterinarians suspect the dog has a malignant tumor and will need surgery.
We are grateful to all who helped: the Association for providing sponsorship, Hammoudeh Shihadeh for informing Shatha Afaneh, Hana Laraj for her assistance, Usama Hamadneh for transporting the dog, and Nora Abu Lafi for coordinating with Diana and the Association.
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A Tragic Tale of Wildlife Rescue
A heartbreaking incident unfolded when Diana received a call about a sick wild fox near Nahalin. Due to the animal's “wild” status, coordination with the Palestinian Tourism Police and the Quality Environment Authority was necessary.
The rescue team picked up the fox and transported it to Al Buraq Veterinary Clinic. The animal was in critical condition, suffering from a high fever, wounds, and a broken arm and fingers. The veterinary team provided intensive care, including fluids, and suspected the injuries were caused by animal traps.
The fox was then transferred to Dr. Muhammad Rajii's when Al Buraq closed. Dr. Rajii discovered more severe wounds infested with maggots and initiated treatment. Plans were made to send the fox to another clinic for advanced x-rays and a cast.
Unfortunately, the fox's condition worsened. Despite the best efforts of the veterinary team, the animal was unable to eat, and its health deteriorated rapidly. Sadly, the fox passed away.
Thank you to Dr. Rajii for his efforts to help this poor creature. And to the concerned Nahalin citizen for initiating this rescue.
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Abused Puppy Found in Hebron
A friend of Diana’s found a five-month-old male puppy abandoned on the streets of Hebron. Unable to leave him, she took the puppy to a local vet. The puppy received treatment for several days, but it couldn’t undergo X-rays due to its severe condition. It couldn’t stand, walk, or lift its head, and its neck was twisted with visible signs of rope marks. The puppy also had bruises on its body and neck, indicating a history of abuse.
Concerned for the puppy’s well-being, Diana’s friend arranged for a taxi to transport it to Bethlehem. There, the puppy underwent X-rays, which revealed no fractures but confirmed the presence of bruises. The puppy then continued its treatment under the care of Vet Mohammad Rajii until Diana found an association to sponsor its case. The puppy is currently receiving ongoing treatment and tests to address its trauma.
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Kindness in Action: Rescuing a Wounded Dog in Nablus
A female dog was found wandering the streets of Nablus for several days. No one came to her aid until a kind-hearted friend noticed her plight and contacted Diana.
Thanks to the quick action of Dr. Ahmad's brother, the dog was safely transported to the Royal Care clinic under our name. After a thorough examination, including X-rays, it was determined that she had suffered fractures to her upper leg.
We are grateful to the Association that agreed to sponsor her case. We extend our sincere thanks to the kind person who alerted Diana, as well as Dr. Ahmad and his brother for their compassion and efforts in rescuing this injured animal.
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A dog was found lying weak on the street in Nablus, seemingly for several days. A concerned Municipality worker noticed the dog's distress and contacted Diana, who arranged for its transport to Royal Care Hospital. Usama Hamadneh generously volunteered to drive the dog to the clinic.
The dog was in a critical condition:
Riddled with ticks and fleas.
Suffering from vaginal discharge and early-stage pregnancy.
Unable to eat, stand, or walk.
Veterinary examinations revealed:
Blood parasites
High white blood cell count
High creatinine kinase (indicating muscle inflammation)
Splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
Mucopurulent vaginal discharge
Dr. Ahmad provided intensive care involving electric message until she was able to walk and eat, yet she needs an operation as they suspect severe infection in her in her vagina.
Thankfully, the dog received crucial sponsorship from an Association, enabling her to undergo necessary surgery.
Thank you to the municipality worker who took action when he
saw this poor girl, our good friend, Usama Hamadneh, for taking her to the
clinic, Dr. Ahmad and the Association.
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Al Azariyyeh Puppies in Critical Condition, mum and siblings safe
Saed, a friend from Al Azariyyeh called Diana yesterday. He had woken up to many messages from his friend Amin Far'on who is a driver in that area. He saw 3 puppies sleeping under a car when the owner started the car and drove off without knowing the puppies were there. The driver ran over the puppies, leaving them in a very bad condition.
Three other puppies from the same litter were in a hole nearby with their protective mother. Diana asked Saed to go and collect them immediately and bring them to a nearby clinic. Catching them proved challenging for Saed, who persisted well into the night.
Meanwhile, Diana contacted numerous Associations until one agreed to sponsor them. She also sent our driver, Elia, with some crates to Al Azariyyeh to collect them. They are now safe with the Association. The 3 injured puppies remain in a critical condition. We pray that they will pull through.
We are grateful to Saed + the locals who helped him for saving this family, Amin Far'on for alerting Saed, Al Azariyyeh clinic, Elia and the Association.
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Injured Dog Recovers After Backyard Rescue in Hebron
A week ago, Mays Abdin from Hebron and her mother, Maha, contacted Diana for help with a dog they found injured in their backyard. The dog was crying in pain and unable to move or stand. Maha quickly arranged a taxi to transport the dog to Al Buraq Veterinary Clinic.
The vet conducted several X-rays and tests. While the dog had no fractures, it was evident he had been abused and struck with a sharp object, resulting in severe wounds on both hind legs. He received immediate treatment and is currently recovering in our shelter. Once he has fully healed, he will receive necessary vaccinations and be neutered before finding him a loving home.
Thank you to Mays, Maha, Hamzeh Zahdeh and his driver friend and the staff at the clinic.
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✨Maisy✨ was found all alone near Solomon's Pools. She is 8 weeks old. A kind-hearted friend spotted Maisy and contacted Diana, who swiftly arranged for a taxi to bring her to the vet. Then she received her first bath. 🛁🧼
Maisy is a playful and adorable puppy who enjoys wet food. She and her feline friend now reside in the shelter's office.
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This month, three poor creatures have fallen victim to negligent drivers.
Trigger Warning: Deceased puppies
Diana received a call from a woman who witnessed a horrific incident. A puppy was hit by a car near her building, and the driver callously sped away without stopping to help the injured animal.
Steve and Diana rushed to the scene, only to find the puppy had already passed away. A local man shared the devastating news that two of his siblings had also been killed by a car the previous day. Steve searched for them and found their lifeless bodies, indicating that they had recently died. However, there were no signs of injuries consistent with being hit by a car, such as fractures or blood. This leads us to believe that they were poisoned.
They did find one surviving puppy in the area, but it was terrified and ran away.
This case was particularly brutal. Diana was brought to tears. It's truly appalling that someone would deliberately harm these innocent creatures.
__________________________________________________________________________________Senior veterinary student, Dr. Mohammad, notified Diana about this poor cat who had been hit by a car in Jenin. X-rays revealed that poor kitty needed surgery to fix his injured leg. Dr. Mohammad arranged with Diana and Drs. Osayd Abu Hatab, Mari' Al Sharqawi and Mohammad Abu Rub to source the pins required for the surgery. These pins were kindly donated by @royalcarevet. The operation was a success and kitty is eating and enjoying cage rest.
We are grateful to Dr. Mohammad for initiating this cat’s rescue and Drs. Osayd Abu Hatab, Mari' Al Sharqawi and Mohammad Abu Rub for volunteering their time and effort to save them. We also thank @royalcarevet for donating the pins for surgery.
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A distressing incident occurred in Beit Jala when a man accidentally ran over a female puppy with his car. The puppy's mother and siblings witnessed the accident, and the mother was visibly distressed.
Maggie Fatouleh, a concerned citizen, contacted Diana for guidance. The puppy had sustained a severe leg injury, with the bone protruding from the skin. Diana advised sending the puppy to Al Buraq Veterinary Clinic, where she received initial treatment, including pain medication, antibiotics, and fluids.
Diana then reached out to several organizations to secure sponsorship for the puppy's care. Within half an hour, the puppy was transferred to an association's clinic. The injured puppy is currently undergoing treatment and is scheduled for complex surgery.
Thank you to Maggie for initiating this rescue and the Association for their sponsorship.
UPDATE: Puppy underwent surgery and is on the road to recovery. We were thrilled to hear as she was unstable when her sponsorship began. Thank you to the Association for saving her.
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Naia from France and Benedetto from Italy volunteer at the shelter, dedicating their time to walking the dogs. They visit almost daily, providing the dogs with much-needed exercise and fresh air. The dogs clearly enjoy their walks in the fields, offering a welcome respite from the noisy and crowded shelter environment.
Thank you, Naia and Benedetto, for brightening their day. If you are interested in walking our shelter dogs please contact Diana +972 59-522-1771
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Trigger Warning: Graphic violence
TLDR: The Jenin Municipality is launching a cull of Anin’s stray dog population. We have formed mass vaccination program as a humane alternative that requires donations. We are also launching an email campaign to advocate for this alternative (Jenin.mun@jenin.city).
A stray dog in the village of Anin, near Jenin, attacked up to 12 people, mostly children, according to local reports. They were immediately sent for medical treatment for rabies. A local person took it upon themselves to kill the dog, then decapitate it with a saw. Unfortunately, sending the head to the Ministry of Agriculture is the only way to test for rabies. The Ministry informed Diana (when requested) that this dog tested positive for rabies. Our hearts go out to the children and their families for having to endure these attacks and we wish them the best in their recovery.
We do not condone the actions of this person. Though this dog posed an immediate danger, to butcher him in the street is a threat to public health.
We have since heard that the Jenin municipality intends to commence a shooting campaign against the entire stray dog population of Jenin, rabid or not. This is cruel and nothing more than a band-aid solution to an ongoing problem.
In response, we have formed a collaboration with veterinary students from Tulkarem University, as well veterinarians from Jenin, Tulkarem and Nablus to introduce a mass vaccination program for Anin- a humane and more effective long-term solution. This requires a massive fundraising effort.
To help us save Anin’s stray dog population from shooting, please help us by donating via https://heylink.me/bethlehem/
We also ask our followers to email the following to Jenin municipality (Jenin.mun@jenin.city):
“Dear Sir/Madam,
I write to you from (insert your city and/or country of origin) to condemn the imminent shooting campaign of Anin’s stray dog population following the recent rabies outbreak. As a means of animal control, it is cruel and ineffective in the long term.
The Bethlehem Shelter; veterinary students from Tulkarem University; as well veterinarians from Jenin, Tulkarem and Nablus have cooperated to form a mass vaccination program for Anin- a more humane and effective long-term solution. I ask you to consider this solution instead.
Sincerely,
(Your name)”
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