OLMSTEAD’S H.O.P.E. Rescue Stories ♡
We have many, many rescue stories, and there would never be enough pages to write about each of them. Not just at Olmsteads H.O.P.E, but all the dedicated, selfless people giving everything to stop this cycle of suffering. If everyone just helped a little more, not leaving that suffering animal on the street, trying to do a part of helping. We understand it’s time and funds, but if we try to work together, we can make a difference even to one poor soul. To walk on makes us part of this cycle. No animal in these pictures or any rescues arrives like this.
All were starving to death and in great need of urgent care. Some had been abused; it’s really endless and truly beyond shocking what humans are capable of. It’s the love, will, and care that restore them alongside medical intervention. We see their transformation over time, and it still hurts to think of their past. Thanks to God, we have them, thanks to you, we make it happen, thanks to all the beautiful, pure hearts that carry on even in their lives’ difficulties. Please support our work. ♡
♡ Olmstead Blackberry pie-The Bronx NYC
We all know about our boy Olmie, our warrior boy who ignited our path and gave us understanding and strength. He was in an absolutely terrible state of suffering when rescued by Carmen in the Bronx, on Olmsteads Ave, from which his name comes. Little Wanderers NYC supported him with donations from kind supporters, and Kate and I became Olmstead’s mummies, nurses, and servants.
From FIV – FEL leukemia, enlarged organs, covered in ringworm, sores, and wounds, our beautiful boy became the face of H.O.P.E – Help Our Paws and People Everywhere! Generating love and connecting people around the world, donations came in, and I knew this was my calling upon returning to Istanbul. Our precious boy passed away in July 2022; we miss him so much, but he lives deep in our hearts and gives us strength always to carry on.
♡ Teddy
Our dear Teddy, such a horrible mess, with bleeding eyes, skin, and bones. He was rescued from a shelter by two others and Olmstead’s H.O.P.E., with the help of a kind sponsor and charity, which paid for his emergency medical needs. He had undergone eye Enucleation, and his skin was full of sores and filth. Terrified and traumatized, he was in a desperate state. We had to spend over a year on his care, love, and recuperation. He has since turned into a big, healthy potato who loves his food, his girlfriend Tamzin, sunbathing, and can navigate his way around without a problem. Teddy spends his days at Olmstead’s H.O.P.E filled with love and enjoying his special food. Shelter cats do not get adopted; they suffer. It’s a death camp, not a luxury animal shelter. Please consider adopting a special needs cat. They are incredible and will make your heart burst with joy. Sponsor to help us rescue another dying soul suffering. Thank you so much.
♡ Pumpkin Pie
This traumatized kitten was wandering on a building site, filthy and dirty, with a severe infection in his mouth, cuts from glass over his ankles and body, glazed eyes, and non-stop screaming for help. I definitely couldn’t leave him. I had no vehicle or carrier, and we were in a place outside of the mainstream. I ended up carrying him in my small rucksack and buying kitten food on the way to feed him. He quickly gobbled up two pouches, so hungry and distressed. I had to stop several times as he was still trying to wiggle away and screaming. We ended up in an outside Cafe where we were given water. Eventually, I found a clinic and cab home to Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. Further treatment was needed. He couldn’t eat, was sick, and we had emergency treatment for his mouth. We called this little angel Pumpkin Pie; he knows his name and is a real purring machine. Surgery and more antibiotics were needed. After this, he became our red love bug, so gorgeous and healthy now with fur like silk. We cannot part with him; his life is @Olmsteads H.O.P.E. with all his family.
♡ Barney
This tiny little one,on the streets of the city Istanbul.He was living outside restaurants with his family and so sick to carry on much more.Someone placed him in a cardboard box.
Tiny, filthy and struggling to survive an amazing Aussie tourist,Lauren contacted us.
He was rushed into urgent care and spent his time being cared for before being transferred to Olmsteads H.O.P.E.
He had a real journey before he became a cheeky,gorgeous healthy little love bug!! A real food fiend,just so lovable and demands human contact! We are so blessed to have him thanks to Lauren stepping up!
♡ Fenix-shelter kitty- Istanbul
Fenix, another precious baby, settled almost immediately, seemingly in shock at his little bed, love, and lots of toys. Fenix was adopted within the first four weeks, such a lovely spiky boy with his tongue constantly hanging out due to something that happened; we’ll never know. Our great supporter Stasha loved him, and now Fenix is living the best life possible with his own human spoiling him to the bone. Shelter kitties rock! Please consider donating or sponsoring one; we can help these precious little guys who are mostly fragile but turn into the most amazing furry angels. Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. has three shelter cats, all with severe sickness, blindness, and damage in some way from their terrible starts in life. We need sponsors for us to give them more than they deserve. They need us, and we need you!
♡ Stella
This very brave girl was rescued from the dying shelters with one eye totally blown out,the other infected,skin and bones just left to die!! She was taken out by another rescuer and finally came to Olmsteads H.O.P.E.An angel sponsor stepped up and we had Stella’s surgery to correct the seriously damaged eye and close up the best we can.Still totally blind in that eye she impresses us every day.Such a sweet,grateful darling! We adopted Stella,we will give her the very best from now on!
♡Cotton and Snowdrop
How could you not go crazy over these two little angels! Hard to believe the cruelty in this place. The babies were thrown literally onto the street, they were to young to be away from their mother also. The unbelievable suffering people inflict here is mind blowing. They think its ok to trash these little lives outside into a busy dangerous environment! We thank God our lady Saziye rescued them and they spent time inside recovering and in hospital.
Now thriving, so beautiful, adventurous and loving they have their forever home with Saziye, so loved and wanted with her other 60 rescues! There is no excuse for the misery, these two would not of made it this far! Happy ever after now!
♡ Lennon
This boy just litrally walked into Olmsteads H.O.P.E and started making biscuits in one of the beds.It was like he lived there all of his life! We are so glad he did because this poor baby was so congested and full of mucus he couldn’t breath.Taken into urgent care the same day Lennon spent two weeks fighting a virus and being cared for,the fever was sky high and we were so afraid to loose him! As the days past he began to get better and finally came to us.Lennon really is a miracle,came from nowhere and settle in like he lived there for years.He loves his humans so much,food,chilling and sleeping with you in bed at night.
I’m so glad he found us.
♡ Wilfred
A complete horror story in the beginning,one of the worst! What ever it would take,we were going to save this tiny kitten thrown away like trash!
He was found by one of our girls Semra.
As soon as we were notified,all systems go! Emergency situation with so much infection in his tiny body.We named him Wilfred,it really suits him! After stabilising Wilfred and monitoring him in ICU they were finally preparing to remove both eyes.
He is unbelievable, he came to Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. quite recently and is a funny, real character, independent, playful, loving and takes no bullying from no one! He loves his humans but likes to do his thing, navigating the house and garden, playing outside, he really is the most precious baby ever!!
♡ Sonny Boy
Meet Sonny Boy. He’s eight years old and lived on the streets, surviving on hotel food and the kindness of tourists. A big, beautiful tomcat, he was attacked by a dog. This isn’t a rare occurrence here, especially when there’s not enough food to go around. We received an emergency call from a tourist, Kerrie, staying in the area of Arnavutköy. It took us two attempts to catch him. Finally, there was an emergency dash to the clinic where he underwent plastic surgery to fix his face. He suffered greatly from severe infections. He spent around six weeks in special care and finally came back to Olmsteads H.O.P.E., where the same lady, Kerrie, sponsors him. He now has a great life, filled with love, warmth, and plenty of food. Without donations, the amazing doctors at the Bolluca Veteriner Kliniği, and lots of patience, Sonny would have suffered immensely and eventually died on the dirty streets.
♡ Bamboo
Pits of hell for animals. This is Bamboo, a tiny kitten rescued by our street hero Cecile. He couldn’t eat and was in a terrible state with a flesh-eating infection, probably caused by trauma or a bite from a bigger animal. He was on his last legs, literally. The area he lived in is just too heartbreaking; it’s full of trash and no-go zones for many, but the animals are in serious need of help from sickness and injuries. Bamboo spent two months in the hospital, receiving special round-the-clock care and treatment for his infection. Over time, it started to heal, and the little bear started to trust and purr up a storm. He stayed with Olmstead’s H.O.P.E., being socialized and feeling so much love and safety. A wonderful gift from a special lady, Michelle in Boston, found Bamboo a forever home. He is now called Neville, loves life, has recovered from his jet lag, and has his paws firmly under the sofa in Boston, USA. Anything is possible if we work together.
♡ Hilda
Hilda, the rescued donkey, is waiting outside our gates. She is afraid of humans, no doubt having been traumatized, abandoned, and left to roam for the last two months. I have managed to bond with her; she comes to me like a puppy. She will feed from my hand but will not come into Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. Our plan is to ask the farmer in a field next door if he can keep her there until we find a permanent solution. Failing this, we will take her in full-time. We need sponsors for this, covering the cost of hay, food, and any vet checks. If we do nothing, she will likely be taken and possibly abused by another, attacked by dogs, or hit by a car. Please, if you are able and willing, help us give Hilda a life away from this terrible danger.
