The Turkish Animal Group (TAG) was founded by Karen Wren after she visited Turkey for the first time in 2002 and witnessed the living conditions animals were forced to deal with. From that day forward, Karen knew that the rest of her life would be committed to helping the animals. But since December, donations have been at an all-time low, and the rescue group is in quicksand.
“The dogs are not eating properly,” Karen explains. “And I can’t pay the workers or the land rent.”
“Most of the dogs are being dumped here,” Karen continues. “What can I do, throw them back out as we can’t feed them? As for cats, there are seven of them outside my house and 21 we feed in other areas. These cats only have us, no one else to feed them. We owe 3000 Turkish lira on land rents or we live with the threat of being evicted. We are still up to our eyeballs in 3108 debt on the electric bill and thousands owed on vets bills. I need to buy a straw that costs 1000 Turkish lira. I need to buy cleaning materials as the shelters must be bleached. The water bill is 460 Turkish lira.” (Total of about $2,500 US dollars/ 1923 British pounds)
“I am only one woman trying my best to hold it all together because of the love I have for these animals, but I have to face facts that everywhere I turn, I am sinking. I need serious help, and without it, these dogs who do not know street life will end up on the street and me alongside them! If only we had a clean slate, debt-free to start afresh.”
Harmony Fund already hosts a very active program for more than 500 street cats in Turkey. Although we too are in a delicate financial position, we’d like to put our arms around Karen and help her shelter as much as we can. To help, please donate here.
