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.
♡ Elizabeth
Precious Elizabeth (they named her after me) 🙂 She was hit by a vehicle; her mouth and nose were split open. The tongue was deeply cut, so she couldn’t eat properly either. She was taken to the Emergency Clinic, where she spent a week being treated. It’s so awful to see this, we know, but this is 24/7 for us. Without kind people, street heroes, and donations, we couldn’t do anything. It’s hard to cope with the trauma and stress of trying to save lives on the streets. It’s totally unnecessary and cruel. So many animals are hit by cars and just left, many paralyzed. Who could do this? Elizabeth has the best life now with Saziye. She is super gorgeous and well-loved.
♡ 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!
♡ Wolfe -shelter kitty- Istanbul
Just numbers on cages, too heartbreaking to share the details—some with zero chance of getting out or being adopted. These two babies were removed by a charity and came to Olmsteads H.O.P.E., both sponsored by Natalie, Cat Mom, for the first month and by a charity. We then received some donations to help them. Wolfe, mostly blind, so tiny, with herpesvirus and skin hanging off him in really bad shape, is now thriving—a cheeky, courageous, gorgeous boy. We rely on donations to help support cats like Wolfe. He needs a nebulizer frequently, antibiotics, and care for his eyes. We love him so much; his character is so bold and brave. He loves the kittens, and we couldn’t imagine a place without him.
♡Zahara and her five nuggets.
A young kitten herself, we rescued her from the trash when she was heavily pregnant during torrential storms. We had seen her and others a few months back, unable to catch her on private property as she climbed over the fences. My chance came, and she didn’t fight back. Later, we found out she had already given birth before and had other young kittens, all in bad health. It’s heartbreaking; they suffer endlessly in this cycle, constantly.
We will get them all sterilized and try to find homes abroad. All babies and Zahara are in need of sponsorship, support, and adoption, with six extra mouths at Olmsteads H.O.P.E. We are in great need of support. Zahara is just one of many suffering young females in this horrible, painful situation; the kittens suffer too, from starvation, dog attacks, or sick humans. We need to stop this reproducing into such hardships.
Please support our Mummy and Baby Fund; we cannot save them without support.
♡ Feral colony The Bronx
Street hero Carmen takes care of the colony in her neighborhood, where so many ferals and kittens are being born. She also provides cat houses outside to protect these babies from the severe elements. While we practice TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return), we cannot do everything without support and temporary homes for recovery.
One day, she discovered thirteen newborn kittens, some of which had already died from exposure and lack of care. The mothers, all young themselves, were likely first-time moms. The weather in NYC is very extreme, and many suffer terribly outside. Additionally, appointments are needed to get the cats neutered. It’s not an easy battle, but it’s the only solution to stop this misery. Many of these kittens were given homes, thanks to Carmen’s efforts.
She feeds many, has a large family herself, and works two jobs to give her best. Will you support Olmstead’s godmother in all this hardship? We thank you.
♡ Gabriel
This is precious Gabriel. I tried to rescue him for weeks, and finally, I did. He was so sick and congested. He received immediate medical care at Bolluca Veteriner Kliniği, where we found out he had also been shot four times! Once he was stronger, they managed to remove two bullets, but we were unable to take out the other two. We also had him fixed and provided round-the-clock care. Gabriel is now a beefy, beautiful bear living at Olmstead’s H.O.P.E., happy and healthy. Funded by some donations and us, without this, he would have died or had a terrible existence. Thank God for our help.
♡ 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.
