There are two animal welfare charities in the Kusadasi region who do tremendous work between them to help not only Kusadasi’s street animals but also assist owners of domestic animals by providing information and support on all aspects of animal care when needed.
The writer has previously covered ARK’s activities extensively and today is focusing on Kusadasi Paws & Claws who are making a significant impact even though they are a smaller group with smaller resources.
Dedicated Volunteers from both groups are on the streets from very early mornings checking and feeding the street animals round Kusadasi, 7 days a week 365 days of the year.
Both groups work closely with the Belediye in Kusadasi. The Mayor, Omer Gunel is very proactive in his approach and resources for the street animals to include the provision and renovation of an animal shelter located not far from town. On nearly every neighborhood street corner there is access to water, feeding troughs and small wooden shelters for cats and dogs to sleep in at night time.
The Mayor is a friend to both animal welfare groups and has spoken out about a planned Program by government, to reduce the numbers of animals on the streets of Turkiye by way of Euthanasia.
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) on Thursday 11th July submitted a long-awaited bill on animal rights to the Parliament’s Speaker Office. The Draft, which involved input from all interested parties, was passed the following day. At the time of writing it remains unknown whether the previous mentions of Euthanasia was addressed. Nonetheless, according to the bill:
- the sale of cats and dogs by pet shops will be banned, as such shops are “not suitable for animal health and ethology.”
- Animal circuses, water circuses and dolphin parks will also be prohibited.
- Cat and dog owners will be required to have digital IDs or registration and will face fines if they abandon their pets.
Mahir Ünal, the party’s deputy parliamentary group chair, told reporters in parliament that Under the bill, “animals will no longer be seen as products, but as living creatures,”
The local Belediye and both animal charities prefer the route whereby animals can be adopted from the main shelter.
There is already now a free neutering program in place under the administration of the local Belediye which helps to keep numbers down. Any member of the public can avail of this facility for their animals. Members of the public can also offer their services, to help the volunteers catch street animals and bring them to the Veterinary center. It is understood that under the new law that more resources are to be made available from existing Belediye budgets to help the street animals.
It is indicated 
that The municipalities will also dedicate 1% of their budget directly to animals, enabling the municipalities to increase the capabilities of animal shelters and other services.
Local administrations will also be obliged to establish animal shelters and rehabilitation centers – The mayor of Kusadasi is indeed ahead of the game on this. Municipal staff will also receive specific training on the issue.
WHO ARE “KUSADASI PAWS AND CLAWS”:
Oya Sume Davidson who started the charity and works tirelessly to help any animal in distress formed a group of Expats who work together for the purpose of helping the street and shelter animals of Kusadasi.
Paws and Claws (Kusadasi Hayvanlara Yardim Dernegi) is established for the primary purpose of providing medical care and medical needs of the street and shelter animals.
A recent request for help with a street cat and some Kittens was published on their FB page by the founder of the Charity.
The Cat had two years previously come to Oya’s attention and the animal was spayed and nourished to good health and had a good life until recently when someone obviously hit her with a moving vehicle. The Cat showed up at Oya’s door (imagine 2 years later !) looking very malnourished and had no use of her back leg. The animal was taken for X-Ray which showed its leg was severely damaged and broken in two places. The Vet informed that surgery and aftercare was needed as movements would be restricted.
Oya is now looking after this cat in her home pending surgery and is appealing for funds to cover the cost of the surgery now. The Cat will return to Oya’s for aftercare so that costs can be kept to a minimum.
This charity also has another family of kittens in need of expensive eye surgery.
One volunteer of the Charity lets us know why help for the street animals of Kusadasi and groups like “Kusadasi Paws and Claws” are needed. See below statement:
“It is heart breaking to live with the number of stray animals on the streets in Turkey.
Many are abused & abandoned, desperately seeking human contact.
At the end of holiday season at our tourist town when the hotels close, their food supply stops, and many become malnourished and sick. Paws & Claws started 10 years ago as a volunteer run legal charity to provide veterinary care for the sick & the injured on the streets.
As a very small charity Paws & Claws rely on donations from fellow animal lovers to make a difference for these street animals who are in real need.
This year with the economy changing in Turkey we are having a very hard time.
Each year we provide veterinary care for around 400 animals in our small city.
Please, join our Facebook group “Kusadasi Paws & Claws” to see our work & contact us for your questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1398110913740651
Their work is aimed at:
- Primarily, medical emergency needs.
- If funds available spay and neuter animals that have entered our care for treatment reasons. This will be done if funds are available when the animal is in good health.
- Provide food and other care needs for the animal in foster care, to the person(s) providing the care.
- To find homes for street and shelter animals when possible.
- To help and support each other to serve their joint purpose.
Lost and found pets can be posted on the page.
The Group page is open to all member posts to address issues, problems and share the joys of the animal world.
Any posts that are found to be from breeders to sell for profit or any advertisement for profit will be removed.
Businesses and individuals who are contributors to the Paws and Claws group will be honored and mentioned whenever appropriate.
Ways you can donate:
3 ways for your convenience:
- Our Turkish bank account at İŞ Bank
- Iban: TR39 0006 4000 0013 0240 6949 12 – Kusadasi Hayvanlara Yardım Derneği
- From your PayPal to our email address, pawsofkusadasi@yahoo.com
- Our GoFundMe account1. PayPal
https://www.gofundme.com/f/paws-and-claws-animal-charity-kusadasi-turkey
Members also raise valuable funds through an on-line auction of products which are donated by individuals both here in Kusadasi and those living or travelling here from abroad for the street animals off Kusadasi.
They ask that the public would “please help this registered charity to continue their wonderful work. Your donations are a source of life for so many street animals”.
The group recently posted the following request to its membership:
“Precious friends & supporters we do need your love, caring & donations now”
Events are also organized by their business partners/sponsors who provide the space and staffing etc. for scheduled fund-raising events for the street animals of Kusadasi.
One such event is being held on Saturday evening next 20th July at The Temple Boutique Hotel in Kusadasi where a good crowd of supporters are expected to be singing and dancing into the early hours.
Anyone wishing to donate something for a raffle on the night can drop your items in to us at the Ege Eye/Foreign citizens advice office in centrum or bring on the night.
