by Sam Hawcroft
A dog show in Hollym has raised £800 to help rescue, rehabilitate and rehome vulnerable dogs from Turkey.
The event was organised by Michelle Eaton, of Withernsea, in aid of Forgotten Dogs of Turkey, a charity that supports street dogs and dogs removed from poor conditions in municipal shelters.
The charity works with volunteers in Turkey to feed and care for dogs on the streets, arrange urgent veterinary treatment where needed and move dogs into shelter when they are well enough to leave the clinic.
Its longer-term aim is to rehabilitate the animals and find suitable homes, either in Turkey or in the UK.
Michelle, who is originally from Hull and moved to Withernsea in December, is an admin for the charity and said she became involved after seeing its work on Facebook.
She said the problem had been made worse by the number of unneutered dogs living on the streets, particularly larger breeds such as Turkish Kangals, which have bred in large numbers over time.
Michelle said: “They have got overrun with them, and now they want rid of all the street dogs. The next process is to take them to the vets, get them treated, get them spayed, get them neutered, treat their illnesses and then we advertise them to foster or adopt.”
Turkey has faced international criticism over its treatment of stray dogs after a law was passed requiring municipalities to remove them from the streets and place them in shelters. Animal welfare groups fear the policy could lead to widespread culling or dogs being kept in overcrowded and unsuitable conditions, while campaigners argue that proper neutering, vaccination and rehoming programmes are a more humane solution.
Michelle said the charity was often called when dogs were in urgent need of help, either by members of the public or through contacts who know when dogs have been taken into municipal shelters.
She said Forgotten Dogs of Turkey had volunteers and contacts both in the UK and Turkey, with rescued dogs taken for veterinary treatment before being moved to shelter and assessed for foster care or adoption.
The Hollym event included dog show classes, a raffle and other fundraising activities, with 41 raffle prizes and a hook-a-duck stall with mystery prize bags.
Michelle said the £800 raised had already been earmarked to help cover a veterinary bill for a dog in urgent need of treatment.
She said: “Every single penny goes to the funding of these dogs. I fund my show myself. I pay for the hall, I buy all the rosettes and all the raffle prizes. That’s my way of supporting the charity as well.”
Forgotten Dogs of Turkey was formed in 2020 after a group of UK women were alerted to the conditions facing dogs in Kozan shelter in Turkey. It began by removing six dogs into a safe garden, supported by a dedicated Turkish volunteer.
Since then, it has cared for more than 90 dogs, with some rehomed, some living safely in shelters and others still awaiting their new lives. More than 45 dogs have been rehomed so far.
Michelle, who has rescue dogs of her own, said the work was constant but worthwhile.
She said: “We get a lot of happy endings. If you can save one life a week, it’s worth it.
“There is nothing closer to my heart than dogs. I just love dogs.”
Another dog show in aid of Forgotten Dogs of Turkey is planned for September.