BEIRUT, Lebanon -- They endured a summer of war, but now relief is coming for Lebanon's little-known victims -- cats and dogs abandoned when their owners fled the country during the early days of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Some 300 of the former pets are being flown to the United States today for adoption.

For Mona Khoury, who has helped take care of the animals the past few weeks, the rescue operation is tinged with sadness.

"I've grown attached to them and I'm very, very sad that they're leaving. But I know they'll be in good hands and have a better life there," she said.

Khoury is co-founder of Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which is working on the project with the American animal society Best Friends.

BETA rounded up many of the pets left behind when thousands of foreigners and Lebanese with foreign passports evacuated the country in July and August.

Many families had to abandon their animals or leave them with friends.

The orphans will be sheltered at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.