Picture perfect
AROUND eight dogs from a controversial private animal shelter have been adopted in just over a week following a photo-shoot featuring the abandoned pets. The initiative by the Golden Paws animal charity involved photographer Efsane Mene capturing images of the dogs who were chosen from more 100 at the shelter which is now being run by Lefkoşa Municipality following a court order in May. A second photo-shoot of other selected dogs is to take place today in the hope that more will be chosen by prospective new owners. Such photographs are taken once a year and have so far resulted in 80 per cent of the featured dogs being re-homed. “Our photographer and Golden Paws volunteers will be at the shelter on Saturday [today] taking pictures of the dogs who will be interacting and having fun with anyone who turns up to support us,” said Deniz Osman Cin of Golden Paws. “It will be an open-to-the-public event between noon and 4pm and we are inviting people to attend with food donations for the dogs. “There are many sad animals being cared for at the shelter, although many have also been adopted over the years through the photo-shoots and now live happy lives in new homes after waiting so long for someone to come and adopt them. “The photography is a way of showing people the animals that are in need of a home without them necessarily coming to the shelter.” Stationery items such as colourful pens and notepads with different designs on the cover will be on sale at a stall in the shelter grounds today. Those unable to attend can order by calling Deniz Osman Cin on 0533 823 0934 for more information and to arrange collection of donations. All proceeds raised from the sale along with 1,412TL raised at the charity’s recent fundraiser at Bellapais’ Café Grumpy will be used towards paying veterinary bills.
To increase awareness about the dogs and to help find more potential owners, photographs taken today will be exhibited at the LTB “Marathon” which is planned to take place in mid-November, with more details to be announced later.