Our Team
Team of Hope
Hi, I’m Ece- a devoted animal lover and advocate for the countless stray cats and dogs who deserve a chance at a better life. I was born in Turkey but have been living in Switzerland for some time now. After many years in management and human resources, I made the life-changing decision to leave the corporate world behind and dedicate myself fully to rescuing animals—a choice inspired by the heartbreaking struggles of Turkey’s strays.
Life for stray animals in Turkey has become incredibly tough. Changes in animal law have made things worse, creating fear and hostility toward these innocent creatures. Witnessing this cruelty firsthand, I couldn’t just stand by—I had to act. That’s why I founded Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey—to ensure these animals receive the care and compassion they deserve and find loving homes where they can finally feel safe and happy.
Through Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey, I’ve dedicated myself to helping strays find safety, care, and loving homes abroad. For me, each animal is a unique soul, —a life worth saving. This work is about more than just rescue; it’s about hope, love, and the chance to build a kinder world.
By adopting, supporting, or spreading the word, you can be part of this journey and help us make a lasting difference. Together, we can change lives—one paw at a time. Together, we can stop cruelty.
Hi, I’m Chloe- I am French. I recently moved to Istanbul for professional reasons. Before that, I had been fostering strays back home for years. Only a few weeks after I reached Istanbul, I came across my first foster cat here, a beautiful white cat, who I named Toupie, who was found in the streets with her tiny baby. She had been dumped by her previous owners, a house cat who could not survive in the streets, let alone with a baby! She was my first foster and is now living a happy life with her new family in Switzerland. Since then, I have been fostering another seven cats in just seven months.
I am part of Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey because I feel it will enable us to find a sustainable way to help strays here in Istanbul and elsewhere in Turkey, while matching them with loving families in other countries. A win-win for all so let’s make it happen!
Hi, I’m Nesli- I am from Çanakkale, Turkey, and my connection with animals began thanks to my grandfather. He taught me to experience their love by living it. I believe that those who do not know how to love cannot recognize when they are chosen. My first companions were my horse and my dog, and even now, I remember them with a smile on my face.
Although I now live in Istanbul, this deep love for animals has never left me. Whether it's the cat perched at the corner of a wall or a dog wandering along a street I pass—they all feel like a part of me.
For me, a life without them would be like a tree without its leaves.
I am both proud and grateful to be part of this meaningful project.
