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A cat climbing through the rubble of a destroyed building in Antakya, Türkiye

Earthquake relief


Help for animals in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria

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FOUR PAWS cooperation partner HayTap rescuing animals after the terrible earthquake that hit the region on February 6th 2023.

It's a race against time


Animals are in urgent need of help

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Our Earthquake Relief Efforts For Animals in Türkiye and Syria

When the world learned of the earthquakes in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria, FOUR PAWS started preparations to help animals in need

The devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria have left thousands of people dead and even more seriously injured. Every day, the death toll rises, revealing the full extent of this humanitarian catastrophe. The victims of the earthquakes need help urgently. Amongst the human victims are animals. Injured, hungry and in search of their homes and families, animals are often overlooked when disaster strikes.

As an animal welfare orgnisation, it is our responsibility to help animals in such times of crisis. Committed to this mandate, FOUR PAWS is providing emergency care for animals in Türkiye and Syria, as we have done previously in regions of the world affected by war and natural disasters.

Help for animals in Türkiye and Syria

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2023
Seven Hours in Syria to Deliver Aid for Animals

March 11th

The team is granted single entry into Syria for seven hours to deliver aid to animals. In his blog post about this day, Fabian Chaundy explains, “Nothing can prepare you for the drive into Jindires [Syria], not even a couple of weeks of working in the affected zones in Türkiye.” The team passes a dog lying in the street – it is evident it has been dead for days. The lack of resources and support here leave the impression that the earthquakes happened yesterday. Read about the team’s final day on the ground in Jindires, Syria.

FOUR PAWS performs surgery on wounded animals in Türkiye

March 7th

There are still so many dogs and cats suffering from injuries sustained in the earthquakes. They need urgent care! We brought some wounded animals from shelters to clinics in Gaziantep and helped with surgical procedures. There is still endless work to be done, please continue to support us.

Food distribution and treatment for animals in Türkiye

March 5th

On the ground, our team continues to deliver help to animals in need. In the last few days, we have been travelling mainly to villages, where aid is slow to arrive or does not arrive at all. The people have welcomed us with open arms and are grateful for the food and medical help for their beloved animals. Together with the organisation Haydiko, we were able to bring much- needed feed to families – for their sheep, goats, and cows – and we assured them that they will continue to receive food in the coming months. There is still endless work to be done, please continue to support us. 

February 28th

Our emergency relief team arrived to help affected animals in the regions of Southern Türkiye and Northern Syria. They will provide first aid and veterinary care to animals in need and support local communities with rescue efforts. We will work together with local partners and authorities. Find more details in our press release.

Please support our work for animals in Türkiye and Syria.

Cat in rubble after earthquake in Türkiye

February 23rd

Miracles do happen. FOUR PAWS Director of the Disaster Relief Unit Jackson Zee describes the lengths rescue workers go to save animals. Read about the quick-thinking measures used by responders to reunite an owner with his cats. Blog: Risking Lives to Rescue Animals Trapped by Earthquakes

February 20th

Only two weeks after the first earthquakes hit the Türkiye-Syria border region, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake has struck again. People and animals alike are suffering. Our partners on the ground continue to deliver medical treatment and food to injured and orphaned animals. We need your support now more than ever.

FOUR PAWS cooperation partner HayTap rescuing animals after the terrible earthquake that hit the region

February 17th

Our local partners on the ground have been working tirelessly to help, whilst remaining sensitive to the humanitarian crisis that has not subsided. HayTap – our partner in Türkiye has been pulling animals out of the debris and delivering first aid on-site. Around 700 animals were already saved due to their immediate response. Some companion animals and farms animals have been re-united with their owners; others have been brought to shelters. Read more.

A cat climbing through the rubble of a destroyed building in Antakya, Türkiye

February 15th

The FOUR PAWS' Disaster Preparedness and Resilience team has reached out to local partners in Türkiye and Syria to provide help to injured, homeless, and hungry animals. Our aid is going to the most affected provinces in Türkiye – Hatay, Osmaniye and Malatya, where urgent help for animals is most needed. Our main goal now is to support our partners with everything we can deliver, logistics, financial aid, and expertise. Please donate to help these animals.

The city of Antakya, in Hatay province, southern Türkiye - where the large scale destruction of the city is visible everywhere

February 10th

It's a race against time! Our Disaster Preparedness experts estimate a 10-day window wherein animals can still be rescued alive. The team is busy preparing everything for the urgent action to help animals in Türkiye and Syria. We have to act fast but we can’t do it without you. Please make a gift today and support animals after this catastrophe!

Three cats outside the crumbling ruins of their former home, abandoned in Antakya, southern Türkiye

February 8th

We all shudder at the news updates following the earthquakes. At least 16,000 have died with many more seriously injured. Thankfully humanitarian aid is active and rescues are ongoing. We also know that numerous animals have been affected – killed, injured, homeless and hungry. FOUR PAWS is doing its best to find solutions to help animals in need.

Kitten in rubble | Symbolic image from previous mission undertaken by FOUR PAWS

February 6th

Our hearts go out to the people and animals affected by the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye (Turkey) and Syria. FOUR PAWS is very grateful to the heros working at the frontline to help those in need. Our thoughts are with everyone in the region – humans and animals alike.

The destroyed southern Turkish town of Kahramanmaras

We have to act fast


Animals can’t wait any longer for help

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