Frequently asked questions

What is Forsaken Angels Shelter & Rescue (Iznik Can Huzurgah Barınağı Derneği)?

Our mission is to provide a safe haven for street dogs and cats in desperate need. Fatma Şeren works tirelessly to provide food, medical care, and love to these vulnerable animals. The shelter provides care and support for street dogs and cats who need food, are injured, or who have been abandoned on the street. She currently cares for between 250 and 300 animals, including those living in the outskirts of İznik. Iznik Can Huzurgah Barınağı Derneği is and will remain a NO KILL shelter.

Legal Authority

Under Turkish law, the Iznik Can Huzurgah Barınağı Derneği is classified as a non-profit organization established to carry out a specific or common objective, without the intention of earning or sharing profit by its members. Iznik Can Huzurgah Barınağı Derneği was registered by the Bursa Governor's Office under number 16.060.078 on April 12, 2023.

All associations in Türkiye are registered with the Department of Associations at the Governor's Office under the Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of the Interior. Associations are audited on a regular basis by the Türkiye Department of Associations as well as the Finance Ministry.

For more information about our association, click here.

How much does it cost to operate the shelter?

Daily operating costs for food for one feeding a day are around $70 a day which buys 75 Kgs (165 lbs) of dry food.

What about employees?

Fatma does not have help or employees. She does this work as a labor of love but it means 7 days a week without interruption. Without help she cannot even take time for necessary personal needs.

Minimum monthly wage in Türkiye is now the equivalent of $566 net to the employee with the employer responsible for an additional $134 in social security charges making a total of $700.

How can I contact you?

You can reach Fatma at +90 539 710 4155 or send a note below or via our contact page. We are always happy to answer your questions.

Where does the money come from now?

Fatma gets donations from friends and followers on Facebook and Instagram; but with an inflation rate of over 70% in Turkey many of her supporters no longer have spare money to send.

Besides food how else would my donation be used?

Flea and tick prevention medications need to be purchased regularly for all the animals. All the rescued animals must also be given rabies shots and other inoculations.

Hiring a full or part time helper to share the workload and allow Fatma time and energy to make improvements.

Sick animals need to be seen by a vet which is an unknown and additional expense.

Is there any other way to earn money for the shelter?

Since Iznik Can Huzurgah Barınağı Derneği is an official association, they have the right to have up to ten kennels for boarding dogs, but there are no funds to create such pens and the current set-up is not appropriate for dog boarding. However, if proper lodging kennels were to be added and occupied, the fees generated could be enough to cover the monthly food expenses.

How will the new Turkish law on street dogs affect the shelter?

With the passing of new regulations in Turkey concerning street animals all dogs and cats must now be chipped (at a cost of approximately $13.50 each) and registered at a yet unknown cost.

Under the new laws, Fatma would also be required to develop and maintain a database which records information on the animal, the chip number, neutering and status of vacations and inoculations.

How long do the animals generally stay at the shelter?

Forever. Fostering and/or adopting is not common and until recently, all shelters were no-kill shelters as ours will continue to be. If there are rescued puppies, forever homes can sometimes be found for them but that is almost never the case for adult dogs.