April 2020, Kuşadası:
I was alone in Aydın when quarantine was announced. My family, concerned I was alone, sent a driver to take me to Bird’s Island Farm on the hills of Kuşadası to stay wth my grandson, Alican Ozbaş, his wife, Chantal, their two small sons and my daughter, Ceylan. I have been here ever since.
Bird Island Farm is a private animal sanctuary, a new project, recently set up by Chantal Özbaş and Monica Özkaya, two young foreign ladies, both animal lovers and married to Turkish husbands. The farm is a safe, clean, healthy home for animals who have been mistreated and left, for pets to be looked after while their owners travel and a place to choose a pet to love.
In the early hours of the morning I have watched a horse, donkey and 2 goats being taken to a meadow of grass and spring flowers to graze, a 3 legged dog enjoy his dinner, a sick dog comforted and given medicine, a rabbit with one ear up and one ear down nibble salad in his cage.
Chantal and Monica work hard to maintain the well-being of the animals in their care with visits to a veterian clinic, feeding, cleaning and exercising.
As we take a step back to reflect or meditate on our way of life during this period of imposed social distancing, nature and animals seem to have come to the fore making the work done by Chantal, Monica and other like-minded people all the more important and meaningful.
Your support, help and sponsorship is vital for this on-going project to maintain its high standard and care. Please donate to the caring of animals who have suffered and been abused by us people. A worthy cause indeed which will continue long after Covid 19 passes.
Donations will be used solely used for the benefit of the animals, veterinary bills, maintenance and repairs of facilities, food and grooming. Please send donations to:
- Chantal Patricia Özbaş, Garanti Bankasi TR 69 0006 2000 3070 0006 6396 31 (swift TGBATRIS)
- Bank transfer to UBS Switzerland AG, Chantal Özbaş CH58 0023 0230 1310 01M1N
- www.paypal.com (chantalozbas@icloud.com)
For more information visit the Bird Island Farm website. News on the happenings at the sanctuary are regularly updated on Facebook and Instagram.
As for me, quarantine here has been a learning experience. I was brought up with dogs, now I have become a ‘Save mistreated animals lover’.
Keep safe and thank you. Kim Erkan.