Esentepe expat Rob hands over donations in his campaign to help strays
AN ESENTEPE expat has handed over some 17,000TL in donations towards veterinary care as part of his campaign to help strays from Çatalköy to Tatlısu.
Rob Astley was presented with 2,000TL by Yusuf Ağaoğlu, owner of the Salty’s Fish and Chip restaurant in Ozanköy, and immediately presented the funds to vet Niyazi Çelebi, of the Petline surgery, to cover the cost of neutering and medical care for animals.
On Tuesday, Mr Astley handed over a further 15,000TL to the vet after just over 7,000TL raised at a table-top sale at Sea Breeze restaurant and bar in Küçük Erenköy on Monday was doubled by donor Catherine Wood, and then topped up by additional donations via online appeals.
Mr Astley, who has had up to 80 dogs neutered in the past year, helped some 200 and rehomed 60 — eight of which travelled to the UK with the help of Kyrenia Animal Rescue (KAR) and Hope 4 Pets (H4P) — said: “Looking at the condition of animals that live on the streets from Çatalköy to Tatlısu, they seem to be getting better, which is a great thing.
“Thanks to the people who have actually made this happen, as I’m just the one who does it with the money I am given by those who fundraise and donate so I can take the animals to the vet.”
Mr Astley said a special thank-you to Mr Ağaoğlu and to Claire Lamb for holding the table-top sale. He said their efforts “will be so helpful in making animals in need, better — and making this happen makes me feel really good, as I help save their lives”.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can call 0533 822 7791.