Nov
19

Talk is cheap… Time to act.

Join us in Hasdal

There is a saying in Turkey who says that the only friend of the Turk is a Turk … well… I find that saying absolutely ridiculous.

I’m going to be very honest here.

Over the last two years I have given my heart and soul to this group.

I have worked till late at nights, winters, spring, summers.. day after day for two years.

We have achieved remarkable things, and built an organization that is imitated and followed. I have met many of you, built great friendships.

Over two years we have saved countless animals, the vast majority of them were rehomed here in Turkey, the most difficult cases, those cases that no turkish family would accept were sent abroad, cases like Gulumser, or any of the animals in our foreign rehoming list.

Over two years we have educated the public and institutions at large, and built a tribe, in many ways a family where people supported the animals and each other.

It is however time for me to truly test the extent and reach of this community, it is time for me to assess its resolve and to take a decision accordingly.

As you know last week about 100 of us went to Hasdal and protested against the Istanbul Municipality for their illegal activities and the continued massacre of the Istanbul stray dogs. At the end of the demonstration we made a list of demands. That list can be read HERE.

TV and Media picked up on the event … every single newspaper reported about it.

This week we are repeating the event, but this time I’m going to place a very risky bet here. On Saturday we will organize the largest demonstration for animal rights ever to take place in Istanbul. If the demonstration fails to attend enough people I will stop the running of this group and leave it to YOU, animal lovers, to make it reach its full potential.

I am very aware that many of you have chosen to ignore the accomplishments of this group and instead have focused on the fact that I am a foreigner. That was a ridiculous thing to do. This Saturday you will, together, take a double stance.. on one side you will, hopefully, be supporting the animals, on the other you will be supporting this group.

So please.. come, and don’t come alone. Bring your husband, wife, boyfriends, kids, bring your friends, your parents, bring whomever you know that loves animals. Bring whomever you know that is proud of his country and is embarrassed to see all those atrocities constantly on the news.

Come if you want to change things for good… and if you don’t come, please dont ever write to me telling me that you are an animal lover, because you and I will know this is not the case.

Best

Viktor Larkhill

v.larkhill

November 19, 2009   //   Uncategorized   //   20 Comments   //   Tags: Hasdal Municipality Shelter, Hasdal Protesto, Hasdal Protestosu

20 Comments to “Talk is cheap… Time to act.”

• November 19, 2009 at 4:37 pm
  Vuslat says:

  new blog!
  This looks AMAZING!

  This saturday , we will be there..at Hasdal..to show them we have no excuses!
  And we will also see the preferences and will to act of “animal lovers”! yeah..we’ll see together…
• November 19, 2009 at 4:47 pm
  Julie Collings says:

  I live in the UK and am unable to travel to Turkey to attend this event/protest… this isn’t an excuse, just reality! Instead, I’ll be thinking of you all on Saturday and will be trying to help and support Lets Adopt in any other way I possibly can.
• November 19, 2009 at 5:13 pm
  Carole Clifford says:

  GOOD LUCK VIKTOR !! I hope you get thousands of people.
• November 19, 2009 at 5:15 pm
  Susan says:

  I wish you every success for the 21st November. I hope that all your supporters turn up to show that they support you and are against cruelty to animals. Good luck.
• November 19, 2009 at 5:16 pm
  Susan says:

  I also like the changes to your blog. Very professional.
• November 19, 2009 at 6:25 pm
  Corvus Deniz Corax says:

  Great!

  I will be there with my mom and some of my friends… Please come and join us!

  IT’S TIME TO ACT RIGHT NOW!
• November 19, 2009 at 6:47 pm
  lynda chabane says:

  Dearest Viktor, I pray your calling for supporters falls on everyones ears in Turkey, that the attendance is an awe-inspiring act of togetherness in gaining justice for innocent animals everywhere.
  You have no idea how much I wish I could be with you, standing alongside everyone else, fighting for animal rights. It is impossible for me. However I WILL BE THERE IN SPIRIT AND MIND AS ALWAYS. One day I will get to meet you and join in your ceaseless campaign to help unfortinates. You are truly a wonderful man as are all your supporters. Peace be with you all on 21st, YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!!!
  Utmost respect to you all,
  Lynda xx
• November 19, 2009 at 8:14 pm
  Misha Dee says:

  Kindness and caring for another being should transcend borders. The problems are the same in almost every country on this planet. There’s no room for nationalism.
  We ALL want the same: change for these poor creatures.

  Go ahead Istanbul – show the rest of the world how it’s done!
  We’ll all be there in spirit cheering you on!
• November 19, 2009 at 8:27 pm
  Sabine Nowack says:

  Good luck, Victor!
  If I could, I would send hundreds of people !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• November 19, 2009 at 8:38 pm
  Viktor Larkhill says:

  Thanks Susan, we are improving things little by little..
• November 19, 2009 at 8:39 pm
  Viktor Larkhill says:

  Thanks Linda… Well print your picture and hang it from the neck of one of those shelter managers..
• November 19, 2009 at 8:39 pm
  Viktor Larkhill says:

  Thanks Sabine.. send… send..
• November 19, 2009 at 8:39 pm
  Viktor Larkhill says:

  Thanks Misha.. well see what happens.. I dont have much hope but you never know..
• November 20, 2009 at 2:47 pm
  lynda chabane says:

  Please do Viktor,with absolute pleasure, just wish I could do it myself, and spit in his face at the same time. Even though I am a usually a polite woman, I have nothing but hatred for these workers!!!!!!!!!!
• November 20, 2009 at 8:42 pm
  Susan says:

  Please don’t let Viktor OR the animals of Turkey down. I wish I could be there standing up for the rights of the Turkish animals.
• November 20, 2009 at 8:46 pm
  Avril says:

  Hope you get lots of support .
  Have xposted this on all my groups.
• November 20, 2009 at 10:37 pm
  Carole Edmonds says:

  I would so love to be there, but living in the US makes it impossible. I will be there in spirit though. I work very hard here for animals (as do all of us animal lovers). Last Saturday one other friend and I protested a huge annual lobsterfest/pig roast in Huntsville, AL USA. Please sign my petition Care2 animal welfare/animal abuse, Help save the lobsters and pigs. We are going to stop this horrible annual event or die trying.
  Good luck and God Bless your efforts tomorrow. Go vegan!!!
• November 21, 2009 at 5:39 am
  Jessi says:

  Wishing you and the other supporters the BEST of day for the showdown Viktor!!!
  I live in Australia, so just a tad far to make it to protest with you. If I could send in a clone, I would; at any rate, my support is still with you guys. Good luck!!!!
• November 21, 2009 at 12:45 pm
  Erica says:

  Unfortunately I can not be there, due to some foster animal issues. I have e-mailed this to all my non-Facebook using animal-loving friends (all my FB using, animal-loving friends are already members of LA). Hope there is a big group!!
• November 23, 2009 at 3:45 am
  Yu Li says:

  Yes we must stick up for what’s right and stop animal cruelty. Let us adopt; care & love these furry animal friends & make this world a better place.