Strays in good hands at Mardin rehabilitation center


The Mardin Metropolitan Municipality's Stray Animals Rehabilitation Center treats injured or disabled animals and provides them with walkers that help them live a normal life.

Using cutting-edge technology, the center performs nearly 400 medical producers a month on stray animals. Once the animals are given the walkers, the veterinarians help them adjust to their new legs. After the rehabilitation process, the animals are returned to their natural habitats.

The rehabilitation center has 25 staff members, including two veterinarians and five health technicians, said Nurettin Bozdağ, one of the veterinarians at the center.

Bozdağ told Anadolu Agency (AA) that animals that come to the center, in most cases, lose their limbs after being hit by vehicles. She requested motorists to watch out for stray animals while driving. "When we get the call, we immediately respond to the case and try to help the injured animal. We treat the animals for free. All we ask is that drivers be more careful," she said.

Veysel Öğdür, a representative of Mardin Animal Rights Federation, said the injured animals are grateful when they are given a second chance in life with the walkers.

"You can see the happiness in their eyes once they start walking using their new legs. Stray animals are working hard to keep themselves alive on the streets. We are doing everything we can to help them. All they need is love. Food is not even as important as love for street animals," he said.

Pelin Sevgi, a health technician at the rehabilitation center, said working with animals and helping them recover is very rewarding. "We perform incredible operations here but the best thing we can give these animals is love. We love every animal that receives treatment here," Sevgi said.