Turkish animal rescue hosts 700 mostly disabled dogs

Ramadan is the right time to start empathizing with stray animals, according to the founders of a natural living environment hosting hundreds of dogs here in the Turkish capital.

Volkan Koç and Emre Kapan established the Patiliköy foundation, which can be translated as Pawsville, 11 years ago to rescue stray animals in need and provide rehabilitation in a natural environment.

Patiliköy currently hosts 700 dogs that are not self-sufficient and most are physically disabled or psychologically traumatized.

"Our primary goal is rescuing the animals which have been the victim of an accident or exposed to violence; as well as providing them with a beautiful natural habitat, and instilling people with love for animals," Kapan said.

Noting the coronavirus pandemic negatively affected the budget and visitors, he said: "Our visitors used to come here very often, especially university students. Because this is a social project, we instill a love for animals. But with the pandemic, the number of our visitors has declined."

"We had visitors even from the United States," he said. "They told us that they had never seen such a place built for stray animals and that Patiliköy sets an example for the whole world. Unfortunately, instead of promoting and introducing such places to the world, people ignore them."

"A person who has a pet certainly knows the costs, the expenses. And we take the dogs especially with health problems, which means higher expenses. That is, the number of volunteers and the support we receive from them is not enough. Still, we do our best," he added.

Koç said that Patilikoy is a nursing home with an acknowledged legal title. "We would appreciate it if the government could support us," he said. "We host over 600...