UPDATE: Bitter is DEAD .
It was a frantic afternoon. In a space of few hours we found a good home for Bitter in the USA and we secured a safe location for her in Istanbul. Then, as we were going to move Bitter to her new foster home we were informed by the same people that were caring for her sister that she died in yesterday “accident”. Apparently they didn’t want to tell us not to upset us even further.
We are absolutely devastated by this, this proves once again how essential is to develop a strong network of foster homes in Turkey.
This is, from today, Let’s Adopt! main priority.
I swear to myself that the death of those two puppies will mark a before and an after. To begin with all rescue operations are immediately halted. We will only rescue as we ad new foster homes to the network. If there is no foster home there will be no rescue.
I am also going to rely on YOU to increase the reach our Turkish network and populate it with exceptional people.
I am not interested in your usual “animal lover”.. I want to create a network of active animal rescuers, adoptants and fosters, and this network will function only as long as the composition of the community is balanced.
So… Bitter is also dead, and again, this death is to be blamed on the lack of foster homes in Turkey. Everyone seems to have a excuse, they have a dog already, their husbands don’t let them foster, what will happen if the dog pees on the carpet… None of those excuses are acceptable to me. The price for inaction is death. Look at Latte and Bitter’s faces. They didn’t have to die in pain. They could have been sleeping peacefully each on different foster home. One of them in your living room.
—
We need to find a home for her sister Bitter. She has been left alone in the same location where her sister died.
We don’t have a foster home for her. The whole situation is absolutely pathetic and embarrassing, the complete failure of our Turkish network.
We need an amazing home for this puppy. Our conditions for adoption, as ever:
1. MUST have another animal, preferably a dog.
2. Bitter will leave at home with the rest of the family. Absolutely no garden dogs.
3. Bitter will eat a biologically appropriate diet, a RAW diet (www.rawfed.com)
contact: viktor@myletsadopt.com
Very sad news. Feel so helpless. Don’t give up on her sister. Wishing she has a life & that some lovely person there will give her a home. Why do we as a human race let this happen ??
This is beyond words…
So where were these dogs staying? Who put them there and let them stay there?
This is really upsetting, and just seems like willful negligence. It’s like they let it happen, or they are REALLY stupid!
I’M SO UPSET
I am so terribly sorry! I have 3 rescues at my feet, wondering why Mommy’s crying. They’ll sleep a bit closer to me this morning. I wish that you had some of the resources and people there with you that we have here in the US. Nearly 100 dogs were rescued from a hoarder in Ohio, in deplorable conditions, by a local shelter, and aid, adoptions and fosters were amazing and covered by all the local news outlets. Just as the cases of Latte and Bitter would have been had that happened here. I will continue to forward these messages with the hope that someone will see the light. Please don’t give up! Without you and your core group in Turkey most dogs would have NO hope. Bless them and bless you.
…………………………………………… no words to say ! my stomach is upset.
GeezUs… They look like they are outside in the pictures… Where were they waiting until they could get
What is happening here ?… There are so many questions and not enough answers…… who were these people that were ‘taking care’ of Latte and Bitter?….. Viktor, why were these people not honest enough to tell the truth about ‘the accident’ ?….. The excuse that they did not want to ‘upset’ you further is lame, were it not for the fact that you had pulled out all the stops to secure Bitter’s future and were ready to collect her, must have scared the hell out of these people!…. I wonder when they proposed to tell you?……
Trust is everything…. these puppies trusted us, and we as a species let them down!…….. and you, Viktor, were so badly let down by the people you trusted.
I am saddened that rescues need to be curtailed, but can fully understand your reasons, but please do not give up entirely on the human race, there are good people out there……… it’s finding them that is the problem!
For those of you writing from outside Turkey, nobody “put” these puppies on the streets. In Istanbul alone, there are nearly 60,000 street dogs. In some sub-sections of Istanbul, most have been neutered/vaccinated/released-back-to-the-street by the municipalities. I’m lucky enough to live in a section like that (Kadikoy). In other parts, the municipality pockets the money and the street dogs go on reproducing.
I don’t know any more than what I read here, but I assume these puppies were born in the parking lot/garden of some apartment building. One of the people in the Let’s Adopt network noticed them and set gears in motion with Viktor to look for foster homes. One pup went to a foster home but was unfortunately attacked by other dogs there, and ended up dying of the injuries. The second pup was offered a foster home, but before he could be collected from the streets and moved there, he was hit by a car.
No Sharon… they were both killed by a pack of dogs a the location where they were being taken care of.
that location was not a foster home, but a place in the forest where dogs are fed by volunteers.
If we had had foster homes those dogs would be alive now.
Find foster homes please.
I am so sorry that these darling pups suffered and died.
Seems to me that Turkey is not as beautiful as you once told me. The scenery might be, but the people appear to be ******.
I always had more than one dog, because there was always someone calling me to tell me of an immediate need for a home for someone (who usually turned out to be in my home). I never even asked my husband….. nor did he ever have ask me when he wanted to buy a car, or other boy toy!
Adrienne, not everyone is a ****** although we have our fair share.
Anyway.. is apathy and ignorance we must fight
so sorry victor , this isso sad . god bless love Itrene xxxxx
What kind of “ACCIDENT” killed this poor puppy? What is wrong with people….
Absolutely sickened by this outcome of these poor babies. How could anyone have let them go to the forest!!!!!!
I very rarely swear, and excuse me for doing so but fuck the Turks that dont give a damn!!!!!!
RIP Little ones….no more suffering now darlings 🙁 xx
I do not uderstand the people posting here, without reading and knowing anything about this case and in particular the stray dog population problem in Turkey.
These posts sound like a dialogue between deaf people..
Which part of “these puppies were mauled by a pack of dogs” can’t you understand?’
Read the prior posts before you comment..
And for any Americans posting here and trying to put their two cents in about this issue, don’t even bother to talk about strays of Turkey, or how sorry you are, how heartless Turks are etc.. Cause US euthanizes millions of dogs each year. I live in the US, it is the fact of life.. It is murder… the means just not justify the end but I have yet to see a single American protesting the murders prosecuted by state shelters systematically, Cause it is the law , and it is what it is and nobody opposing it…
So I wonder how would US residents and state goverments have handled the situation when let’s suppose 60.000 stray dogs were to roam around New York City… I know the answer but won’t write it here.
Try to see the issue from a different perspective for change,
OR you may choose to act like a prejudiced ignorant person. You being upset and sad for these puppies’ death , does not entitle you to use remarks that would blame the people you never met in your life or the state for that matter. I bet most of you are posting without visiting Turkey even once and experience this stray issue first hand.. So what you do is called “profiling” . And it is a dangerous thing. You may choose to be a profiler or instead to be rational, wise and mature about it and say something constructive instead of spreading hatred. Your hatred does not really add anything positive to already very negative situation. Either come up with a solution, or shut the heck up .
So keep your double standard advises to yourself before blaming Turks and you go fuck yourself.
Sujen…You don’t see a single American ‘protesting the slaughter of our nation’s animals in so- called ‘shelters’?! Are you deaf?! I and many, many other rescuers decry this ALL THE TIME! And, we devote our lives, and hard earned money to give as many animals as possible a new beginning. Perhaps you need to say this to someone that doesn’t care.
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/IN437.html
And, how dare you tell anyone to ‘go fuck themselves…’
……this is really devastating…..
I don’t understand this. Why on earth was Bitter allowed to stay with the people that were responsible for her sisters death ?? If Latte was attacked by dogs as we were lead to believe then it looks like her sisters death was down to the same fate. This should never have happened. Once bitten twice shy ?? Horrid quote but true in this case. Whoever these people are they should not be allowed to own any dogs after this. So deeply sad to hear all of this.
sujen……..you sound very angry but you should not be swearing at the people on here who feel very bad for what has happened to these puppies. We should be united in this & not be attacking each other …………….btw I am from the UK so why not have a go at the Brits now !
If you read above, a person before me said “fuck all Turks..”
Why don’t you question Lynda first instead of questioning me on why I responded in the same manner.. Why don’t you ask her, how dare she says that?.. If someone dares to say “fuck all Turks.. “etc., I think I am entitled to say what I wanna say in that manner.. It is called freedom of speech. So in other words if it is sworn to a whole nation it is Ok, but it is not ok to swear back..What kind of double standard it is? Why am I surprised anyway, that is the whole issue I was trying to emphasize “the double standard”.
Elaine you would not understand why on earth Bitter was allowed to stay with those people, cause you are not in Turkey, and you do not know the scope of the situation.. Viktor could you please explain to her why you had to place these two puppies with those people instead of finding them a foster home which are plenty in Istanbul !!??
And YES Elaine I not only do sound angry , I am angry.. And NO Elaine, I won’t comment about UK, cause unlike the most of the people posting here, I would not like to comment on any country(or on any nation ) that I have not lived long enough to observe what is going on.
Deb, yes I am deaf. I recently attended ‘Walk for animals” organized by Philadephia SPCA and PAWS etc.. Guess what, 90% of the participants joined the walk with their special breed dogs, and I have not seen one single poster or sign carried saying ” why do you eathanise millions of dogs/cats in shelters, stop this murder?” I guess if the murder is behind closed doors , it is OK. Let’s walk our special breed dogs for this great cause and have fun for a day..!!!!
In my 20 years in the USA, I have yet to see one protest in the streets condemning these euthanisations.. But I gotta be honest, only thing I witnessed I would call positive about the shelter laws was the outrage agaist Gov. Schwazzeneger’s proposal for reducing the time for an animal staying up for adoption in shelters. Thank God Californians said “no”, and that proposal was never put into effect. So basically delaying the murders in shelters was a great success, but as usual murders continued in full effect since then.
So yes Deb, I am deaf and you are blind.
Thank you for giving me the link for petfinder, the org which I’ve adopted one of my cats from.. Thank you for enlightening me!!!!..
Just because there are organizations such as Pethfinder or North Shore Animal League exist , it doesn’t mean that US is great at protecting its own strays..
Can anyone posting here deny the fact that about 10 millions cats and dogs euthanised in the US per year.. If you do, I will shut up, and focus all my anger towards Turkey and the Turks and how that nation handle its million of strays roaming in the streets.
Could you please also tell me if 60.000 dogs start roaming the streets of any big city in the US, how would the state and the residents of US would handle the situation? Any ideas about how great America and Americans is in terms of dealing with the stray population??
What does SPCA do in America, mostly saving pets from its owners abuse and neglect and trying to re-home them. Why?
Because there are no dogs in the streets?
Why aren’t there any stray dogs roaming the streets?
Surprise, millions are euthanised in the hands of the states..
So pardon me, but YES I am very angry. Knowing that these murders are going on here in the US and reading comments from the people of the country where the number of killings are a thousand fold of Turkey..
Sujen…
I have not seem the fuck all turks comment. I will erase that entry right now.
As for why didn’t we put Bitter and Latte in a foster home the answer is simple… we don’t have any.
If you know anybody that could foster for us by all means send them my way.
Best
Sujen..
It is estimated that 3.8 million animals were euthanized in the USA in 2008.
My guess is that the actual figure remains around those levels. Certainly not 10 million.
In any case, this year it will be 3.8 million – 10… why -10? because Let’s Adopt just saved 10 from death last weekend..
http://us.myletsadopt.com/2010/07/19/lets-adopt-summer-of-luuv-another-ten-saved/
The fact that we operate in Turkey doesn’t mean we are not doing anything for other animals in other countries. And yes nobody should insult a whole nation for the act of a few. But Sujen.. I live in Turkey, and I rescue Turkish animals every day and my dear… it’s pretty bad… more than bad, is atrocious, and gruesome, brutal and much to my regret I think there is absolutely no hope in a country where fear of animals is ingrained from childhood.
xxx
http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/timelines/animal_sheltering_trends.html
excerpt from the above link
“Researchers are developing more effective and efficient data collection and comparison methods to better track progress. We are facing exciting and challenging times as we begin to close in on the possibility of a nation where no healthy and adoptable animal is euthanized in a shelter. ‘
Well, very few of the shelters voluntarily supply the HSUS with euthanisation data . As far as I remember it is less than a 1000 shelters which equal to less than 1/3 rd of the shelters in the U.S.A. . In other words the number you stated which is close to 4 million/ year is achieved by sampling and probability derived from the limited data given, plus nobody knows how accurate that data is. I once called the local shelter and they did not to inquire about how many euthanisations take place in that shelter, they did not tell me, because they don’t want you to know.
As you very well put “it is estimated” ,Iin my opinion the number is far more than 4 million.. I have been searching for an accurate number for years, but very hard to reach data in the net, when the shelters which are executing the murders do not supply the public with it.. Once very close friend of mine said she came across to a number “15 million”, but we were not able to find the link again.
My assumption is based on the percentages. Of all the animals entering into shelters, only 15 to 20% get adopted. That means 80% is euthanised. If every shelter supplies the public with the number of strays and abandoned animals enter into their facilities each year, then we can come up with the actual data. They don’t do it though.. They only advertise how many adoptions they processed ..
In America cats are the most popular household pets, and there are 89 million cats living in residences as pets. We don’t know how many of them are special breeds. My guess would be 3/5th. So ferals and non-breed cats end up in shelters while Americans continue to order their cats from breeders. Luckily there are feral cat programs in some counties, so that these ferals are allowed to live life in the wild in controlled colonies..
So when I take into consideration the number of pet cats, I do come up with my own calculations and conclusions.
Dogs are a different story. I wonder how many dogs are euthanised in Michigan state only each year just because they were born pitbulls. And nobody gives you that data either.
My point is this, the data is inaccurate, So I higly suspect the number is about 3.8 million.
And let’s suppose it is accurate, ‘as is” it is an outrgaous number..
On a different note, I wonder whether an apt or a house could be rent in Istanbul, just for fostering these injured animals during recuperation. I wish we could start a fund that would support the rent of that housing by members comitting to donate monthly re-curring contributions.
Sujen…..if you had read my post correctly, I used the ‘F’ word towards all those Turkish residents that DONT care!! If more did and became fosterers these two little darlings would be alive today. I cannot condemn a whole nation for its misgivings as I know many that do care, but I have nothing but contempt for those in Turkey that turn a blind eye to the suffering of your animals. I feel Victors shame for a country of which the majority couldnt care less what happens to the strays.
Somehow I missed these posts when they came out in July. This is devastatingly sad for these sweet dogs! And I can just imagine you waiting by Latte’s side for the end. How awful, and then to find out her sister was dead as well. There are no words!
As I said to you when I first noticed you on face book I have spent years rescueing from Turkey rehomeing in europe its the ones I used to leave behind that killed me not every one in Turkey is bad but it needs the children of today to be educated about animals, and how to help as I have said Viktor I have three rescues from Istanbul who are the loves of our life it will take time becauseto find foster homes in Turkey because you will always find a few small minded people working behind your back,If I wasnt nearly 70 Victor I would be on your case and helping.
Be very strong for all those that are not .
My best wishes to you all
Irene Neijssel
I’m from Turkey and I resent my own people most of the time because of their cruelty or indifference towards animal suffering and their pure selfishness and disrespect for life. But I resent most humanity for the same reasons.
Atrocities occur on a daily basis here in the US. I saw dead dogs in gas chambers with my own eyes. And many more, too many more to speak of.
Viktor, I hope there’s been some improvement in the foster situation after this post.
R.I.P SWEET *LATTE* AND* BITTER* FLY IN TO A BETTER WORLD* NEXT TO *GOD* YOUR CREATOR! AND NEVER RETURN HERE!!! BLESS YOU BABIES *ANGEL* AND BLESS YOU *VIKTOR* ALL MY TENDERNESS AND COMPASSION**** SO SAD!!! MAKE ME CRY!!! HUGS TO YOU*******
Oh, that’s terrible! I feel sorry abt those puppies. 🙁 They are now in a better place.