Trusted Animal Rescue Foundations & Volunteers
Melez Rescue
When Lisanne moved to Turkey in 2016, she was heartbroken by the number of sweet, beautiful dogs living on the streets and knew she had to help. While large-scale change requires long-term TNR efforts, her initiative Melez Dog Rescue is giving a lucky few the chance to find loving homes abroad and live the lives they deserve.
Pets in Turkey
Pets in Turkey is an association founded in 2017 in Switzerland. Run by volunteers living in Europe, the association’s aim is to rescue especially abandoned dogs and cats in Turkey, provide them with medical treatment, tests, and vaccinations, and find homes for them in Europe that meet the association's adoption criteria. Since its establishment, PIT has successfully rehomed over 600 animals under an adoption agreement that includes follow-up conditions.
Adopt.nl
Stichting AdoptNL was founded in 2021 in Rotterdam. Its aim is to rehome cats and dogs rescued from difficult conditions in Turkey, primarily to the Netherlands and other European countries.
Tanış Onunla
Tanış Onunla, the dog rescue project founded in 2009 by Sarp. Tanış Onunla provides treatment, shelter and re-homing support to countless abandoned dogs in Türkiye every year, manages that from Sarp's Instagram account. The project, which undertakes the treatment and shelter of more than 100 abandoned dogs every year, is able to continue its work with the individual supports.The rescued dogs have been sent for adoption to countries other than Türkiye, including Canada, the USA, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the UK.
Wof Rescue
Wof Rescue began its work in 2019 in Kızılcahamam, Türkiye, focusing on spay/neuter, vaccination, and population control—reaching over 1,000 animals across six regions. Since 2024, with a focus on international adoptions, especially in the Netherlands, 24 animals have been rehomed and 21 more are in progress.
Berlin Paws
Berlin Paws, founded in 2024 in Germany, is a volunteer-run initiative rescuing abandoned and mistreated dogs and cats from Turkey. Based in Berlin, the group provides medical care and vaccinations before rehoming animals across Europe under strict adoption criteria.
Angel del Refugio
From Turkish shelters to Barcelona hearts… A group of volunteers based in Barcelona, working together to rescue and rehome furry kids from the streets and shelters of Türkiye.
In collaboration with a dedicated veterinarian in Türkiye, they help animals escape harsh living conditions and find loving homes in Spain.
Holly & Oli
After leaving the corporate world in 2024, Dilan decided to start up Holly & Oli Rescue to save more strays from the streets of Turkiye. Based in New Jersey, USA she partners with her best friend Mehlika (IG:@patinkalbimde) based in Turkiye to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome cats and dogs to locations all around the world.
Help a Stray Cat
Help a Stray Cat is a UK registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of stray cats in Istanbul by providing vital spay and neuter services, medical treatments, and finding loving homes for stray and unwanted cats. Over the past few years, we have successfully rehomed over 60 cats to the UK, EU and US.
Paws of Hope
Born in May 2025, after new animal laws in Türkiye left countless strays in danger, Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey stepped in. From the streets and death shelters, we’ve already brought over 90 cats and dogs to safety — finding them loving homes across Switzerland, the EU, the USA, and Canada. Every animal receives care, rehabilitation, and a legal, safe relocation. But our mission doesn’t stop at adoption — we follow their journeys, ensuring each one finds not just a home, but a life filled with love. Because at Paws of Hope, compassion knows no borders.