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Sarman has been diagnosed with nasopharyngeal stenosis, a rare condition in cats that involves a narrowing between the nasal cavity and the throat, typically caused by scar tissue. This narrowing severely restricts airflow, making it difficult for affected cats to breathe. They often experience respiratory distress and, in severe cases, can face life-threatening breathing emergencies. In Sarman's case, the situation is serious. If left untreated, his condition may worsen, potentially leading to a fatal respiratory crisis. The recommended treatment for Sarman is balloon dilation under endoscopic guidance, a highly specialised procedure that can only be performed by a limited number of veterinary specialists in Turkey. The attending ENT specialist has confirmed that very few professionals across the country are qualified to carry out this treatment. The treatment plan includes: - Five balloon dilation sessions under endoscopy, with one session every two weeks - Total duration: approximately 2.5 months - Cost per session: approximately €900 - Additional tests required before each session The overall costs are significant, but without this treatment, Sarman is at serious risk of a fatal breathing crisis. Project website

Nese is an independent rescuer working on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. She cares for stray animals living on the streets by providing regular food, arranging both urgent and long-term medical treatment, and supporting them throughout their recovery. In addition to daily feeding, Nese intervenes whenever animals are injured, sick, or in immediate danger. She coordinates veterinary care, covers clinic stays when necessary, and does her best to find safe homes for those animals that can be rehomed. Her work is driven by a sense of responsibility and persistence, often taking place under challenging conditions with limited resources. Project website

Çiğdem is a young animal rescuer and student from Kayseri in southeastern Türkiye. Since childhood, she has been deeply devoted to animals. Her home has always been filled with birds and cats, and today she continues to share her life with several cats. Çiğdem’s compassion extends beyond her home; she actively helps where it is needed most—on the streets, where countless animals struggle to survive each day. Through her project “Doyan Göbekler” (meaning “Full Bellies”), she regularly feeds stray cats, dogs, and other animals, including birds, hedgehogs, and turtles. In short, she provides care for every living being in need. For Çiğdem, this work is not just about feeding animals; it is also about ensuring their dignity and compassion. She believes that every animal deserves at least a moment of safety, to be well-fed, seen, and protected. The profile picture of her project is a tribute to a cat that meant the world to her, whom she sadly lost. This experience has fueled her motivation to keep going, to never look away, and to give other animals a chance. Çiğdem’s dedication and compassion are truly exceptional and deeply admirable, especially considering the economic and social challenges that young people in Türkiye face every day. Project website

Hacer is a dedicated volunteer rescuer in Antalya who has devoted her life to helping cats in need. During the day, she works to support herself, but whatever she can spare goes directly toward providing food, basic care, and medical assistance to the animals in her care. Despite her best efforts, the responsibility has become too much for one person to handle alone. Currently, Hacer is caring for around 30 cats at home and another 15 in her garden. In addition to food, these cats regularly require parasite prevention, vaccinations, and veterinary visits. Unfortunately, she cannot always provide these essentials consistently due to limited funding. Whenever she can afford it, Hacer buys parasite medication, but this is not guaranteed every month. Moreover, there are outstanding clinic debts from previous treatments that must be paid in order to ensure that medical care continues during emergencies. Hacer urgently needs support to continue providing food and essential care for so many animals. Every donation, whether small or large, directly helps in this important work. Project website Hacer ist eine ehrenamtliche Tierschützerin in Antalya, die ihr Leben den Tieren widmet. Tagsüber arbeitet sie, und alles, was sie von ihrem Lohn entbehren kann, fließt in Futter, medizinische Hilfe und die Versorgung der Katzen, die auf sie angewiesen sind. Sie kämpft jeden Tag, doch allein kann sie die Verantwortung nicht mehr tragen. Aktuell versorgt Hacer rund 30 Katzen im Haus und zusätzlich etwa 15 Katzen im Garten. Neben Futter werden immer wieder Parasitenbehandlungen, Impfungen und Tierarztbesuche benötigt. Doch diese Basisversorgung kann nicht immer regelmäßig stattfinden, weil es finanziell oft nicht reicht. Wenn sie die Möglichkeit hat und Geld vorhanden ist, kauft Hacer wenigstens Floh- und Wurmkuren, aber das ist nicht zuverlässig planbar. Hinzu kommen offene Klinikschulden aus früheren Behandlungen. Diese Rechnungen müssen beglichen werden, damit die medizinische Versorgung weiter möglich ist. Hacer braucht dringend Unterstützung, um die Grundversorgung und notwendige medizinische Hilfe für so viele Tiere weiter sicherzustellen. Jeder Beitrag, ob klein oder groß, hilft direkt den Tieren. Projektseite

Emine has been caring for the overlooked street cats of Bursa and Susurluk for many years. Day after day, she feeds strays, arranges neutering, and does her utmost to ensure as many animals as possible are vaccinated and receive medical treatment. Where others turn away, Emine stops—leaving a sick or injured cat behind is simply not an option for her. I have known Emine for a long time. She is especially close to my heart because of a tomcat named Citos, who fell ill with FIP a few years ago. Many would have lost hope, but Emine did not. Through incredible dedication, research, and love, she succeeded in getting Citos the treatment he needed. Thanks to this experience, she now supports other carers of FIP cats, sharing her knowledge and walking alongside them through this difficult journey. At the same time, Emine looks after countless street cats across the wider Bursa area, arranging neutering to prevent more kittens from being born on the streets, and ensuring at least some receive vaccinations and medical care. This is the kind of work that ought to be carried out by a whole team, yet far too often Emine is left to shoulder it alone. With Citos Paw Friends, we want to support Emine in this mission: so she can continue to buy food, cover neutering costs, enable vaccinations, and arrange life-saving treatments in emergencies. For every single cat, this makes a real difference—and together, we can ensure that Emine does not have to bear this important responsibility on her own. Project Website

I have known Gülsen for quite a while now; she has been rescuing a great number of stray cats, providing treatment if they are sick and taking care of them in the most loving way you can imagine.  After completing the treatment of her cats, she finds them forever-loving homes. She currently has cats with FIP and injuries that she is actively treating. She always needs support for clinic debts, spaying/neutering, food, and the cat shelter.  Project website

Zeliha lives in Aydın, Turkey, and has devoted over 15 years of her life to protecting and caring for animals in need. Currently, she provides a loving home for 28 rescued animals, giving them daily attention and care. In addition, she regularly feeds many stray cats and offers medical assistance to sick or injured animals, taking them to clinics for urgent care when necessary. Her work is entirely voluntary, and day and night, she strives to improve the lives of these animals, often facing challenging circumstances. To continue her vital work, Zeliha urgently needs support for food, medical treatments, and the daily care of the many animals that have found refuge with her. Every donation helps save lives and brings hope. Project website

Ares Paw Friends provides essential assistance to stray animals in Ankara, both cats and dogs. The project leader, Tugce, whom I have known since organising private fundraising campaigns, is a dedicated animal rescuer. She tirelessly advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves. While the situation for stray cats is already dire, the conditions for dogs are often even worse. Tugce never gives up; she rescues injured and sick animals, ensures they receive medical treatment, and provides them with food and care. With your support, Ares Paw Friends can continue to help cats and dogs in need, offer necessary treatments, and give them a chance for a better life. Project website