December 2025 Summary
- Bethlehem Animal Shelter West Bank
- Dec 31, 2025
- 12 min read
Happy New Year! 🕊️ We enter 2026 with hearts full of gratitude for your ongoing support. Thank you to our donors, followers, volunteers, board members and our workers, Ahmad and Sulaiman. As we see the end of another year of conflict, may the coming year bring safety, rest, and peace for humans and animals alike.
🚨 Emergency Surgery: Cat Hit By Car 💔
This poor cat was found by Hiba Hani and her mother in a terrible state, hit by a car and left helpless. They immediately called us for help.
We had them rush the cat to Vet Ahmad Abu Dayyeh. The diagnosis was severe: both his jaws were broken, requiring urgent surgery.
We quickly organized transport to the Royal Care Veterinary Hospital in Nablus. He had the critical operation this afternoon.
His condition remains serious, but we are praying for a successful recovery!
One month in Germany, and Maggie and Freya are thriving! 🐾
Freya (white) and Maggie (white with brown patches) have settled in beautifully. They’ve formed a close bond with each other and are socializing perfectly with their new doggy friends.
This happy ending was made possible by our wonderful friends, Natasha and Janovich of @Pro ANIMAL Österreich.
Want to give a rescue dog a world-class life? Maggie and Freya are proof that distance is no barrier to finding a forever home. Our shelter is fully equipped to facilitate international adoptions. If you are living abroad and looking for a new best friend, we can help bring them to you! ❤️✈️
This poor cat was cruelly dumped by his owners in Hebron. Kind children found him and brought him to their father, who took him to Vet Firas Mujahed.
The cat was in serious condition, suffering from kidney problems and an inability to ur urinate. Since the finder could not manage long-term treatment, Vet Firas urgently asked for our help.
🏥 We immediately transferred him to Royal Care Veterinary Hospital in Nablus. Vets are working hard to drain his bladder and treat severe urine infection and ulcers.
His kidneys are showing improvement, but he requires continued intensive care and remains hospitalized.
Thanks to Linda Jarayseh, we rescued this dog from the street yesterday and took him straight to Vet Ahmad Abu Dayyeh.
Blood work showed that his internal organs are completely damaged from prolonged starvation and neglect. It’s awful how people refuse to help these animals. Vet Abu Dayyeh has started treatment, but he is extremely weak. We are hoping for a miracle.
🐕 This poor dog was found in violent seizures and near death, foaming at the mouth, in a person's backyard. 😭
We rushed him to Vet Ahmad Abu Dayyeh. Blood work confirmed our fears: he was poisoned. His liver and kidneys are severely damaged. 💔
He is now receiving intensive treatment. Please send positive thoughts—we are praying he has the strength to pull through this ordeal. 🙏
Bianca, a private dog, had been sick for a month. Previous blood work suggested cancer and severe kidney/liver failure, and her owners were advised to put her down. 😔
We sent her to Royal Care Veterinary Hospital in Nablus for a second opinion. After intensive tests (ultrasound, blood work), the amazing news: Her kidneys are functioning normally, and the tumors are not serious! 🎉
Her liver is still in bad condition, but she is now under intensive supportive care and treatment. We are hopeful she will make a full recovery! 🙏
🐾 Cozy Updates from Bethlehem Shelter! 🏡
We are absolutely thrilled to share that the dogs and cats now have brand new, soft beds in the section of the shelter that was previously missing them! Seeing them curl up comfortably is the best feeling. ❤️
But the comfort doesn't stop there! We also used the generous funds to purchase warm carpets for the outside section and make the cats' room extra snuggly with new beds.
A massive THANK YOU to PETA for their incredible donation that made all of this possible! Their support ensures that our rescues have a comfortable and happy place to rest their heads while they wait for their forever homes.
When our animals are happy, we're happy! 😊
🏡It's been two and a half months since our sweet Laila arrived at her forever home in Germany! (https://www.facebook.com/share/r/15wCvz3JnY/) Look how well she's doing—we couldn't be happier!
👨👩👧👦 It has been two and a half months since Miso found his amazing family in Germany.
He is clearly being absolutely cherished and is thriving! Nothing makes us happier than seeing our rescues so loved. ❤️
Gretta found her perfect forever family in Germany 3 months ago!
She is already getting used to her loving new home and is making friends with her new canine siblings. We couldn't be happier for this beautiful girl! ❤️
💖 HUGE Thank You, SPCA International! 🌟
A massive thank you to SPCA International (SPCAI)! They are sponsoring Aisha's recovery from her broken spine! (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BwumMhmHx/)
Their incredible support includes:
Covering essential physio sessions.
Sourcing and providing a custom wheelchair!
This help is truly life-changing and will give Aisha the freedom she deserves. Thank you, SPCAI, for believing in our special girl!
URGENT: Flight Volunteer Needed for Aluka the Husky!
This is Aluka, and she’s been waiting months to reach her forever home in Germany!
We need a flight volunteer flying from Tel Aviv (TLV) to Frankfurt (FRA) soon to accompany her.
Your help is vital! Aluka is ready to go.
Zero Cost/Simple: All costs and paperwork are covered by us. You just meet us at the airport.
If you are traveling from TLV to FRA, please contact us immediately!
📞 Contact: +972 59-522-1771
Let’s get Aluka home! Please share!
🐴 Abandoned Donkey in Khalayel Al Loz
Zahra in Khalayel Al Loz discovered a heartbreaking scene: a donkey, dumped by his Hebron owners far from home, was badly limping, unable to stand or walk.
After initial rescue attempts failed, Zahra contacted us for urgent help. We secured sponsorship from an association and immediately partnered with a dedicated animal transport organization. They dispatched a specialized car to safely collect him.
He is now receiving necessary medical care! We are grateful to Zahra for her persistence. And the association for their sponsorship.
This sweet female puppy is one of seven found with her mother, regularly cared for by our friend, Maggie. Tragically, she was hit by a car in Bethlehem.
We rushed her to Vet Mohammed Raji, who administered necessary painkillers and antibiotics. We are immensely grateful to the same association that helped our donkey yesterday—they have stepped up to sponsor her full care! She is now safe. She was anemic and has received a blood transfusion. She will soon receive surgery.
PLEASE: We implore motorists to drive with extreme caution and reduce speed on Bethlehem's roads. Animal lives are being lost needlessly.
We are devastated to report the death of a puppy we rescued from Bethlehem this week.
He was found lying near a house, motionless for days. The people who saw him refused to take him to the vet because they didn't want to pay, despite our pleas.
When we finally got him to the clinic, his condition was critical: dehydrated, emaciated, and infected. We did everything the vet recommended—fluids, antibiotics, vitamins—and he showed a glimmer of life.
Unfortunately, it was too late. He died a few days later.
This is a call to compassion. Delaying care can cost a life. Please support our mission so we can continue to act instantly when animals are in desperate need.
Huge thanks to Dr. Firas Mujahed, who rushed out at 1:00 AM to rescue this injured female dog from the streets of Hebron!
After stabilizing her, X-rays by Vet Mohammed Raji revealed pelvic fractures. We wasted no time and transferred her to Royal Care Hospital in Nablus for the necessary operation.
The surgery was a success! 🎉 She is recovering well at the clinic, getting the best care possible.
The team at Royal Care will be finding her a loving home soon!
Remember the little amputee puppy we rescued this week? Her surgery was a success and she is recovering very well!
A friend of ours recently noticed this sweet young boy wandering her neighborhood. Despite his calm and gentle nature, he was being targeted and attacked by local children. When she found him, he was just sitting there—calm, but visibly heartbroken and sad. We knew we had to step in.
We brought him to see Dr. Mohammad Rajii, who immediately began treating him for skin issues and a heavy flea infestation. However, during his sterilization surgery, the doctor discovered tumors.
What’s Next for Him:
We are currently waiting for a specialist to arrive in a couple of days with a diagnostic machine to check for cancer on these external areas. This boy has been through so much, yet he remains incredibly patient and kind.
We are doing everything we can to give him the medical care and safety he has never had. He survived the streets and the cruelty of others; now, he just needs a chance to heal
UPDATE: Remember this abused puppy we rescued last week? e has been named Lucky D. Upon examination by Dr. Mohammad Rajaai at "Vets for Pets," he was diagnosed with cancerous lesions in a highly sensitive area. 🩺💔
Seeking an alternative to invasive surgery, our founder, Diana Babish, reached out to SynergyMed. The team generously stepped in with their cutting-edge, non-invasive thermal ablation technology to treat the tumors with high precision. 🔬⚡️
The results are incredible! Just two days later, Dr. Rajaai reports that the tumors are shrinking rapidly. We are so grateful to our volunteers and the SynergyMed team for bringing this miracle to life during this season of hope. 🙏❤️🌟
A LIFE CUT SHORT BY CRUELTY 💔
Abdullah Shalash, a friend of the shelter, found a puppy in front of his house near the police station in Ortas. The poor little soul was severely injured, unable to walk, and crying out in agony. We soon learned the horrifying truth: a witness had seen a 16-year-old boy brutally beating this defenseless puppy, yet no one stepped in to stop the violence.
We rushed the puppy to Dr. Mohammed Rajii, who found a massive wound and confirmed the puppy was in extreme pain. Abdullah kindly took him home to provide a warm, safe place to recover after treatment.
Tragically, despite our best efforts to save him, the puppy passed away three hours ago. He spent his final moments knowing warmth and kindness thanks to Abdullah and Diana, but it never should have come to this. This "savage" act of violence was committed by a teenager—a reminder that we must do better.
Parents & community members, please teach our children to be compassionate toward animals, not to be their tormentors. We must raise a generation that protects the weak instead of hurting them.
Rest in peace, little one. You are no longer in pain. 🌈
UPDATE ON MOTHERS & PUPS RESCUED DURING TNR PROGRAM: (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DPuHNUikC/)
During our recent TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, we came across two mothers with their nursing puppies. We knew we wanted to give these little ones a chance at a different life.
A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteer friend, who stepped up to help! She took in three of the female puppies, and in less than three weeks, they have all found their forever homes! 🏠❤️
We are so happy to report that all three girls are now thriving and being spoiled by their new families. They are learning so fast, thanks to their new older siblings. 😍
💔 Poison was distributed throughout the center of a nearby town recently. A friend of the shelter discovered plastic dishes filled with Qufta meat placed everywhere—within easy reach of neighborhood cats and puppies.
Thanks to the quick action of our friend and her employer, they contacted the local municipality. The health department responded by sending someone to collect the poisoned food, but we urge everyone in the area to remain extremely vigilant.
Please:
Watch your pets closely during walks.
Check your surroundings for suspicious plastic dishes or meat.
Report any further sightings of poison to your local authorities immediately. ✨
On December 23rd, one of our board members spotted a Husky in truly heart-breaking condition. This poor boy was in a miserable state—his thick coat was filthy and matted, he was covered in fleas, and he was suffering from painful skin issues and masses in his ears.
We immediately rushed him to Dr. Mohammed Rajii, who confirmed just how much this dog has suffered. From the vet, he went straight to the "spa" for a medical groom and a deep cleaning bath to finally give him some relief. He is now officially under treatment for his skin and ear infections.
The most shocking part? We scanned him for a microchip and found one. We now know exactly who the owners are that dumped him in this condition. 😠
It is devastating to think that a dog who was once "owned" could be left to suffer like this. But his life of neglect ends today. He is safe, he is being cared for, and he will never have to feel abandoned again.
Update on his recovery:
Status: Receiving intensive treatment for skin and ear masses.
Mood: Feeling much lighter and cleaner after his grooming!
Thank you for supporting us so we can step in for dogs like this when their owners fail them.
UPDATE: This dog was found in horrific condition at a butchery 🥩, suffering from exposed intestines, severe wounds 🩹, and extreme emaciation 🦴. (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16f7ckp3fY/) After receiving emergency stabilization and pain relief from Dr. Mohammed Raji 🩺, he was sponsored by an association and transferred to a specialized clinic for intensive, life-saving surgery 🏥.
One month later, he is firmly on the road to recovery since his surgery 🐾. To see him come from such painful suffering to a complete turnaround is nothing short of remarkable! ✨❤️🐕
We are excited to share the amazing story of Opal and Anfisa, who have just started a new chapter of their lives in Germany! 🇩🇪
Opal: Rescued 3 years ago from Hebron. He was very sick when we found him, but after treatment, he became a beloved member of Diana’s household.
Anfisa: Found as a tiny kitten just over a year ago in front of a shop. We couldn't say no to her sweet face!
The Journey: This move was made possible by an incredible team of kind souls. Our friends Larissa Peiffer and Soren Netz, who were traveling to Frankfurt, added these two lucky cats to their own tickets, keeping them safe and sound under their seats during the flight. ✈️🐱
Upon arrival, our friend Anne Bamberger drove two hours from Trier to meet them! They are now settling into a beautiful room at Anne’s house, complete with plenty of food donated by her wonderful neighbors. 🏠❤️
What’s Next? Opal and Anfisa will stay in their cozy temporary home with Anne until after Easter, when our partner organization will move them into their forever foster homes. 🌷
Last week, we farewelled 4 long-term shelter residents.
🐕 Sasha & Masha: These beautiful Huskies were sadly abandoned when their owner moved away. The shelter stepped in to ensure they would never be left behind again.
🐱 Gigi & Pia: These two precious cats have been with Diana in her yard since they were tiny kittens. They were never in the shelter, but a constant part of home life, making this goodbye extra special.
The Flight to Freedom: This journey was made possible by the incredible Thomas Trischler and Tom Shpigelman. These two are dedicated volunteers who stepped up as flight escorts to ensure all four animals traveled safely to Frankfurt. We are endlessly grateful for your help! 🙏✈️
The Next Steps in Germany:
The Dogs: Sasha and Masha have been driven to a boarding house in Cologne. They will stay there until after Easter when they will join their new organization. 🐾
The Cats: Gigi and Pia are currently at a sanctuary and will be moving into their loving foster homes in just a few days! 🐈✨
It takes a village to change a life, and we want to thank everyone who helped make this journey possible. From the yard in Palestine to the hearts of families in Germany—these four are finally home. 🕊️✨
🐾 🚨 This tiny puppy was inches away from tragedy when our friend, Amira, spotted him about to eat baited poison left on the street. (https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17B5uCjcWf/) 💔
Our dedicated workers, Ahmed and Sulaiman, rushed to the scene to collect him and bring him to safety. Thanks to this quick team effort, he is now safe in a wonderful foster home and is headed toward adoption! 🏠✨
Thank you to everyone who played a part in saving this precious life. 🙏❤️
This sweet young puppy’s life changed thanks to a wonderful chain of kindness! It all started when Graham, a visitor from the UK, spotted him in Jericho and reached out to us for help. 🇬🇧🙌
Because we needed time to arrange transport, Graham kept the puppy safe until he could be moved. Janet, a dear friend of our founder Diana and a true animal lover, opened her home to him for a few days to give him a soft place to land. 🏠❤️
Once transport was arranged from Jericho to Bethlehem, the puppy arrived in our care. He was struggling with a cough, but after a check-up and treatment from our Vet, he is now officially healthy and thriving! 🩺💪
MEET NEO 🐾
While driving recently, Diana spotted a tiny, helpless puppy sleeping on the sidewalk right next to the trash. She knew she couldn't leave him there. She stopped her car, scooped him up, and began the fight to save his life.
Neo was in rough shape—he was battling a 40°C fever, a respiratory infection, and painful eye issues. But after plenty of medicine, antibiotics, a much-needed bath, and his first round of shots, this little fighter has made a total transformation!
Now, 3-month-old Neo has already overcome so much; we delighted that he has found a home.
4 puppies have found foster homes! 🐾 This is the first time in 2 years we have placed this many puppies at once. We are very grateful to the Association that facilitated this.
However, dozens of puppies still remain at the shelter. 💔 Most have not left since they were rescued. Please consider fostering or adopting to help us save more lives.
👉 View dogs: https://www.bethlehemshelter.org/meet-our-dogs 📞 Call: +972 59-522-1771
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