3 March 2023 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has dispatched an emergency relief team to help affected animals in the regions of Southern Türkiye and Northern Syria that have been severely damaged by multiple earthquakes in early February.

The team arrived on 28 February and during their stay will deliver animal food to affected areas in Türkiye and Syria directly and via partners. In Türkiye the team will provide first aid and veterinary care to animals in need and support local communities with rescue efforts. FOUR PAWS will work together with local partners and authorities in the Kahramanmaras region and its most affected neighbouring provinces, including Kilis, Adiyaman and Elbistan.

One of the most severe natural catastrophes in recent history, the 7.8 and 6.4 magnitude earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have claimed over 50,000 lives and left millions in the region homeless and displaced. With its work on the ground, FOUR PAWS aims to help provide relief for humans and animals by helping local farm owners who are in need of medical care and food for their animals. The team led by FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who has decades of experience working in disaster and conflict zones all over the world, is also ready to provide help for companion animals and zoo animals if needed.

During the first days on-site, the FOUR PAWS team met with the local partners in Kilis, got an overview of the ongoing situation and started to distribute food. The team helped with treatments of injured cats and dogs in a veterinary clinic and visited a shelter that houses 140 dogs rescued from the rubble and sent 15 tons of animal food and 10 tons of farmed animal feed  to Adana.

Surviving 18 days under the rubble

It is a miracle, but cat Leo and his owner were saved after being trapped for 18 days. Leo is now in a small clinic in Gaziantep, while his owner is in hospital. While treating cat Leo's injuries, Dr Khalil called his owner via video chat so she could see Leo again.

 "It was so heartwarming to see Leo's reaction to her voice, his eyes began to sparkle with life again at hearing her voice," says Dr Khalil.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our partners, around 1,000 animals have been rescued to date, from dogs and cats to cows and birds in Türkiye. Many have been reunited with their owners, following days of distress. 

“Many of the animals have suffered a heartbreaking fate and need treatment urgently. Some stories are truly unique, including a cat that survived under the rubble for 18 days, and a service dog who was injured during the rescue searches. We will do everything we can to help them, and as many other animals in need as possible,” says Dr Khalil.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our partners, around 1,000 animals have been rescued to date, from dogs and cats to cows and birds in Türkiye. Many have been reunited with their owners, following days of distress. 

“Many of the animals have suffered a heartbreaking fate and need treatment urgently. Some stories are truly unique, including a cat that survived under the rubble for 18 days, and a service dog who was injured during the rescue searches. We will do everything we can to help them, and as many other animals in need as possible,” says Dr Khalil.

To support where it is most needed, FOUR PAWS will work together with local animal welfare and humanitarian organisations in Türkiye and Syria, as well as with relevant authorities, stakeholders, and the veterinary medicine faculty of Uludag.

In coordination with the local partners, the FOUR PAWS team is supervising distribution of animal food to local stray animals and pet owners, and aiding with the care and transport of animals to local shelters and veterinary clinics. After providing initial emergency relief, the FOUR PAWS team will evaluate where continued help is needed most urgently for animals in the region during the ongoing recovery efforts.

National Director of FOUR PAWS Australia, Rebecca Linigen said the response from Australians, who know only too well the devastating impacts of such disasters, has been heartening.

Expertise in regions affected by disaster and conflict zones

FOUR PAWS has been active in areas affected by disasters for almost ten years, operating in regions that have been hit by natural disasters such as flooding, earthquakes or droughts. Moreover, FOUR PAWS has over a decade of experience providing emergency medical care and animal rescues in conflict zones all over the world, including Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq.

Most recently, FOUR PAWS helped refugees from Ukraine and their pets both at the border when the war began, as well as by delivering food to zoos in the most affected areas and continuing its Stray Animal Care project within the country.