Olmstead’s
H.O.P.E.

H-help
O-our
P-paws
E-everywhere!

About Us
Who We Are

Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. was created after we lost our brave-hearted fighter, Olmstead, in NYC in 2022.

Rescued on Olmstead Avenue in the Bronx, he was named after the street where he was found. Against all odds, Olmie lived with Kate and me for another three years in NYC—after doctors told us he wouldn’t survive the night.

Through an A–Z of injuries and health issues, this boy taught us so much. People from all around the world came together to help us cover Olmie’s hospital fees and treatments.

Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. was born from the lessons, love, and courage he showed us.

After moving from NYC, I started this project in his honor to change lives. I had no idea of the intensity and difficult path I was about to walk.

Now, three years on in Istanbul, what started as a kitty vacation stay has become a full-time, 24/7 rescue shelter—where free-range cats are finally living their best lives.

Every day brings new rescues:

Injuries, road traffic accidents, cruelty cases Illnesses, abandoned souls, dumped angels, Dying rescues in shelters, Disabled cats left to die in empty cages the list is heartbreakingly endless.

We face aggression from people who hate animals—and hate us for helping them. We are verbally, and sometimes physically, attacked. We currently care for over 120 animals, with nonstop emergency calls every single day.

I also have to pay staff to keep the shelter running. To support this, I work with Elite Animal Aunts LTD whenever I’m in London. You can book me to care for your pets while you’re on vacation or business. Every penny I earn goes straight back into saving lives.

Be part of our project today—it will make you richer, not poorer.

“Never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Cat Rescue

Dog Rescue

Donkey Rescue

Our project for Olmstead Blackberry Pie xo

A precious spirit,so loved and missed.He changed many lives and his memory will continue to change many more.

Thank you to all the heroes out there and our supporters. Nothing is possible without you 💜

Olmstead’s
H.O.P.E

Some of our residents!! ♡♡♡

Not one kitty arrived looking like this! Every single one has been nursed back to health—surviving catastrophic injuries and sickness, undergoing surgery, and being rescued from the streets while fighting for their lives, or saved from dying shelters.

Jorge Marques

Elizabeth and the volunteers at Olmstead H.O.P.E are a real lifeline for cats and other stray animals in Istanbul. Their compassion, love and dedication to saving animals in need is truly heartwarming. Doing that job is far from easy, especially in Istanbul where animals in need, especially cats keep showing up. Please donate, adopt and support Elizabeth and her project, I’ve seen the amazing work they do every day, they’ve helped me and my wife save a cat in serious need while we were on holiday in Istanbul, thanks to Olmstead H.O.P.E we’ve been able to give a pure soul a second chance in life.

Jorge Marques
Sadia Dorsani

In a country with limited to zero animal welfare laws, the selfless work that Elizabeth and her volunteers do is a lifeline for street cats in Istanbul. Despite already being at maximum capacity, Elizabeth helped us rescue a blind kitten (while we were holidaying in Istanbul) who was on the brink of death and helped give this baby a second chance in life – we simply couldnt have done it without her constant support and guidance. We contacted so many big rescues, none of which responded except Elizabeth’s small organisation – its a true testament to how much they actually care, that despite the limited funds (and space) that they cannot say no – but they cant do this without the support and funding from kind animal lovers – so please donate and fundraise in any way you can and help this organisation save many more lives. Thank you Elizabeth and Olmstead HOPE for helping us save Otto the blind street cat and giving him a second chance in life. You can’t change the world by saving one cat but you can change the world for that one cat – Otto will never go hungry again.

Sadia Dorsani
Louise Cotton

I volunteered at this sanctuary in 2024, and was so impressed by the work they do and by the total dedication of Elizabeth (the owner) to this work. Rescues and street cats and kittens, some with disabilities, are fed and housed, and also given so much love and attention.

Louise Cotton
Ece Ergin

I am so happy that finally there is a credible place to help strays.

Ece Ergin
Natalie De Korczak

Such a worthy cause run tirelessly by dedicated, compassionate volunteers

Natalie De Korczak
Александра Яценко

Great pet shelter. Got my cat Fenix here, Elisabeth and her colleagues save a lot of troubled animals and give them new life. Before adoption they live in good conditions and health. Also Elisabeth always ready to help with anything, we still keep in touch. Thank you so much for what you are doing 🙏❤️

Александра Яценко
Maher

I met Elizabeth and her husband in Istanbul in the year 2020 when I was the host of a hotel apartment. On the second day, it came to my attention that Elizabeth had a cat from the street in her hand, and the cat was very sick and on the verge of death. Elizabeth took the sick cat to the vet, fed her, and took good care of her until she regained her life again. Today Elizabeth has an animal care home, which made me really proud of her. The humanity inside her made her think of opening an animal care home, imagine!! I wish you success, dear Elizabeth, and I want to thank the humanity in your heart.

Maher
Vasso Katsarou

Elizabeth is the most helpful and committed person, I have ever come across. She helped me to nurse a fip stray kitten back to life, even though the poor soul was seriously ill and didn’t seem to have much chance in life. And all this singlehandedly. A rare soul indeed.

Vasso Katsarou
Kate

Olmstead’s H.O.P.E is an incredible organization that supports kitty care and long stays, for critters who are in need of love and a place to stay. Olmstead’s Hope also provides rescue services and is responsible for feeding and supporting local animals that are suffering and without care. Elizabeth is the incredible founder who keeps this all running smoothly. She is a warm, loving saint that you can trust with all of your heart. All of this was inspired by our cheeky boy Olmstead from the Bronx!

Kate
Madelaine Hughes

I want to thank Elizebeth for her hospitality and this beautiful sanctuary that you created for her cats and also visitors. This little village is experience left me feeling like I was connected to something bigger than myself. It’s an interesting place, filled with interesting and extremely amazing people and creatures ( even a damn donkey) Thankyou also to Saziye and Ayse the village ladies who visited and helped me with absolutely anything and everything. It felt like we became a little family:) I cannot give enough recognition to all these kind hearted ladies and what they are willing to do at any time of the day for animals in need. You are very special humans. Sending my love and missing you all dearly ❤️ I hope to back again soon ❤️

 

Madelaine Hughes
Amie McGuinnes

Elizabeth is a wonder carer for animals. She currently is looking after a cat my son amd I reduced from Rhodes as he was going blind. Elizabeth send updates all the time along with videos. Buddy (the cat) seems very happy amd healthy and settled there. Elizabeth has been very kind and compassionate! I’m not sure when I’ll be able to go and get buddy but I know he is on safe and loving hands with Elizabeth and her colleagues.

Highly recommend and thank you Elizabeth x

 

Amie McGuinnes
Sally Taylor

Such an amazing cause. The care consideration and continuous compassion for the vulnerable and sick cats in Turkey is tireless. Such a worthy charity. Please donate however much you can to keep it running.

Sally Taylor

Help our paws & people everywhere

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