'Karen's Korner' - ARK's Monthly Update
September 2024
Dear supporters
Life continues to be busy for the ARK team of volunteers. As usual, we responded to numerous calls for assistance from concerned individuals, as well as identifying cases of need ourselves. In the last month 35 animals (32 cats and 3 dogs) received veterinary treatment funded by ARK – some relatively minor (such as teeth problems, infections, allergies and small wounds) and some-threatening and/or life-changing, eg, tumours, breakages and major wounds.
Our veterinary bills continue to be substantial and it’s clearly essential that we raise funds in order to meet our costs.
We regularly upload photographs and stories of the animals we help, in order that our supporters are aware of the amazing impact that their donations have. Examples were a cat with a large facial tumour, a cat with a terrible eye injury, a large dog which was incredibly skinny, where multiple litters of puppies had taken their toll on her emaciated body, a lovely white dog with severe eye problems, a cat with a large hernia, and many more – some of which we’re reluctant to share photographs of given their poor condition ….
As ARK followers will know, our support for the Belediye’s Animal Shelter is an important part of our work – whether it’s taking home-cooked food for the puppies, cats & kittens, treating poorly eyes, bottle-feeding orphaned kittens or giving lots of much-needed cuddles!
There are many beautiful animals at the Shelter, of various ages. Heart-strings are tugged on many occasions… One such case this month was one of 8 lovely puppies born to a mother who’d clearly had many litters of puppies previously. One of the puppies has a deformed front leg and is absolutely adorable!
We so wish we could find adopters for many of the lovely animals in the shelter, who found themselves on the street through no fault of their own.
Incidentally, we in ARK regularly assist tourists who’ve fallen in love with stray animals while they’ve been in Kusadasi and want to take them abroad. We utilise the services of Hakan Sacakli at Hunters House, who provides their care during the quarantine period and prepares them to travel safely to their new families.
Many of you will recently have seen our post about Tarley the dog (AKA Umut – ‘Hope’ in Turkish) – who was in a terrible state when we rescued him and is now living a fabulous life in England with the family who came across him while on holiday last year. Gorgeous Tarley recently won a ‘Best rescue dog’ award at a pet show, to the delight of his new family, Hakan and us in ARK. Successes like this help offset some of the sadness we encounter on an almost daily basis, as there are often animals that can’t be saved, however hard we try ….
World Animal Day
World Animal Day will be celebrated on Friday 4 October. Wouldn’t it be fabulous if homes could be found for some of these animals?
Under the new animal law adopted recently, dogs which are taken into the Animal Shelter can no longer be released back onto the street. In some ways that can be a good thing, as they will be neutered and will be fed daily, however, spending the rest of their lives without the love and attention of an owner is a sad prospect. Could you find it in your heart to give an animal a home?
Incidentally, ARK representatives plan to be on the seafront opposite the Belediye building late afternoon on World Animal Day, joined by some of the Belediye’s Shelter team, to promote adoptions. Subject to confirmation, we hope to have some potential adoptees there with us!
Meeting the Mayor
ARK Board members met Omer Gunel, Kusadasi Mayor, on Friday 27 September. We’re pleased to report that we had the opportunity to raise a number of matters with him and his team, as well as to hear about his plans in response to the new animal
law. We’ll be having further discussions very soon and will ensure that we provide feedback in next month’s report.
The Mayor will be joining groups of school children who’ll be visiting the Animal Shelter on World Animal Day, aiming to raise children’s awareness of animal welfare issues and the work of the Shelter. Like us, he’s committed to there being a major increase in the number of animal adoptions and that will be a key consideration in his future plans.
A successful night celebrating the food of India!
Thank you to all who joined us in the garden area at Saray Restaurant on Monday 16 September for an Indian Gala Night, raising funds to support ARK’s work. A great night was had by all – lovely food, music from the superb Haluk Ozege, dancing and other activities. We uploaded a report and photographs a few days later.
Such events are an extremely valuable source of income, helping ARK to achieve its mission. More events will be held in coming weeks and months.
ARK’s ability to help street animals relies entirely on the kindness of our donors and the dedication of our volunteers. Every donation, no matter how small, supports our mission to give street animals a life free of pain and suffering. If you can find it in your heart to make a donation to ARK, we would be extremely grateful. Making a donation through our website – Arktr.org – is very simple and makes an enormous difference to the street animals which rely on the help of us humans.
Very best wishes
Karen Froggatt, ARK President
