Millions of cats and dogs are homeless in Turkey. Most of them were born on the street, but it is also increasingly common to find animals who have been abandoned. Unfortunately, people tend to leave their former pets in the mountains and desolate areas so that it is much harder for the animals to follow them home. This means that the animals are more likely to struggle to find food and water and will often face harsh weather conditions. They also remain vulnerable to attacks by unwelcoming communities and dog catchers.
Thankfully, during my last trip to Turkey, I met an incredible woman named Nuray, who has dedicated her life to saving stray dogs there.
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In Turkey, it is common to discover abandoned animals in the mountains or neglected areas. They are struggling to find food or water
Fortunately, during my last trip to Turkey, I met Nuray, who is one of the few exceptionally kind residents who is looking after the neglected dogs
Nuray specifically drives up to the hills of Sapanca, Turkey, where hundreds of stray dogs live with very little access to food and water. For the last 10 years, she has been feeding and taking care of these animals. It takes her about 2 hours to drive by all her stops and she does this almost every night after work.
For the last 10 years, she has driven up to the hills of Sapanca to feed and take care of the stray animals there
She has been doing this all by herself for years and invests all her own time and money into helping these adorable beings
Nuray also drives to local restaurants and hotels in Sapanca, collecting any unwanted food that she can feed to the stray dogs. On some sad occasions, Nuray notices that some of the dogs may be injured or sick and so she rushes them to the vets as well.
Nuray accepts donations since it is becoming increasingly expensive for her to buy fuel and food
At this time when the Turkish lira continues to drop in value, it is becoming increasingly expensive for Nuray to buy fuel and food. She accepts donations when she can and is hoping to set up her own website soon, to find a way for people to help her with some of these expenses. In the meantime, I have set up a Gofundme and will continue to share her amazing story.
Nuray also uses a Turkish website where you can donate pet food.
Nuray said to me that these dogs are like her children, with their own names, personalities and stories
She believes that all animals deserve love and that if you have the opportunity to help, then you should
In many parts of the world, like Turkey and beyond, animal enthusiasts dedicate their lives to supporting unique creatures and overlooked pets.
If you've ever found yourself captivated by the charm of hybrid animals, you might enjoy exploring how certain rare breeds can have a profound impact on both social media and personal lives. Such stories remind us of the special bond we share with all animals needing care.