All hands on improve dog
By YASEMIN GÜLPINAR
EIGHTEEN animal-lovers spent three-and-a-half hours improving conditions for 25 abandoned dogs that were rescued and then confined to squalid surroundings as their new owners struggled to cope with maintaining a compound where they were being kept.
The volunteers from across the TRNC rolled up their sleeves in response to an appeal for help with what has been dubbed the Madonna Project — launched by the Hope 4 Pets (H4P) Charity and reported in
last week. The group tackled the compound where the dogs are being kept, to clear it of rubbish such excrement, broken glass, nails, wood and wire — conditions they said posed a health threat both to the animals and to people.
The charity also arranged for 10 new wooden kennels to be installed, and has a further 10 on order.
Charity officials removed a mother and seven puppies from the site and handed them to a foster carer until the pups are old enough to be separated. All are being wormed and vaccinated and two puppies are set to go to new homes, while the others will be returned to the compound if homes cannot be found for them in the meantime.
The mother has now been spayed and there are plans to neuter 10 more of the dogs at the compound.
The Madonna Project swung into action when Hope 4 Pets responded last week to an appeal over a “missing dog” — yet to be tracked down — and were shocked by the conditions they found at the compound in Karaoğlanoğlu.
Hope 4 Pets chairman Stephanie Harrison-Croft said the site was owned by Arif Uzunali, who with Feriha Özerdağ and Seylan Açıkyıldız had taken in the abandoned dogs and done their best to care for them, including regular feeding and providing veterinary care. The task, however, had proved too much for them, and the trio were now working with the charity to improve the site.
Mrs Açıkyldız, who lives in Girne, told she had got involved about two years ago in trying to care for strays with scrap dealer Mr Uzunali, who set up the compound on his land.
“We brought them water and food every day, organised veterinary treatments and tried to spay them, but as some of them were wild they were not used to human contact, so it wasn’t possible and they carried on breeding.
“The number of dogs started to increase and we realised it was too much for two people so we asked around for help.”
This was when Mrs Özerdağ, of Alsancak, joined them, and the trio put up a wire fence around the site.
“But in time the area needed maintenance, the fence rusted and needed repair — that is how the original dog was lost as it escaped through the fence.”
Mrs Açıkyıldız said they simply wanted to “provide a better place for the dogs” on a limited budget, with help from food donations, and might now continue to work with Hope 4 Pets. They would welcome an allocation of land by the state.
“We want to look after the dogs or find homes for them. We don’t want to put them in the municipality compound and leave them in cages with food, but without love. These dogs are now domesticated.
Mrs Harrison-Croft paid tribute to Sunday’s “impressive teamwork” and praised those who had responded to the appeal so far.
“We cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing teamwork they had put in for the cause which will help improve the surroundings those dogs are living in and also improve their living standards.
“As much as the positive outcome we gained from the work we also had fun with those who came from everywhere around the island for one cause, and with many hands the work had lightened up, which we appreciate hugely and we must continue to work in this way to make more miracles for the animals. We also hope to have people on board for general cleaning and maintaining the site for the long-term in the future.
“We also hope that this kind of exemplary effort made for the welfare of the animals will inspire others to come forward and take action towards helping the strays of North Cyprus.”
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