RALF
CORLU
Dogs & Rescuers
This is a dedicated group of rescuers in Corlu, Turkey, approx 120km east of Istanbul toward the Greek & Bulgarian borders. For the last 3 1/2yrs, a core of 3-6 people look after around 350 dogs in 5 different locations. Saliha (pictured below) is one of them and very committed to making sure the dogs and cats are provided for. Its not an easy job and they are limited to feeding the dogs in each location, only once a week. Saliha collects food from around the local shops that are willing to help, and cooks up batches of grub in her kitchen. They also receive donations from a Charity in Istanbul called Miracle Paws, which helps them but it's not always relied upon.
Occasionally they can re home , usually if its a full breed like a Golden Retriever, the street dogs don't have a status and aren't popular, so only end up as property guard dogs or left in fields to protect herds of sheep.
Saliha
Chasing the van for their weekly meal
In winter, its difficult for the dogs to find water. Overnight it freezes so they tend to drink from holes that have collected rain water and in summer, the heat dries the water out, so the team brings it to them. There's no source nearby, its carried back and forth from the nearest tap, in 5 ltr bottles, which can take up to 6 hrs.
Dogs born in the town are better cared for, the townsfolk take it upon themselves to feed them and the local council will often neuter when they can, sadly its not the case for the dogs in the outer region.
The team in Corlu do what they can with the time and money restraints they have. It would be great to be able to provide them with a regular income from donations and purchases.
Click on the individual photos below and move around around to see.