Stray Paws of Istanbul

We’re at 23%! I’m honestly so touched and incredibly grateful for every single one of you. Thank you so much for the support!

For those who don’t know my situation, I want to explain. In Turkey, military service is mandatory. You either pay 275,000 TRY (about $7,150 USD) or you have to serve for 6 months. Even if you pay, you still have to serve for 26 days.

If I go for the full 6 months, I’ll lose everything—especially my cat, Leo. He means the world to me, and I don’t have anyone who can take care of him while I’m gone.

Some people suggested putting him in a shelter temporarily, but shelters in Turkey aren’t in great condition—and they don’t let you take your pet back. If I leave him there, I won’t get him back. We only have each other. He’s the best cat anyone could ask for.

If I leave, I’ll also lose my apartment and my YouTube channel, which is currently my only source of income. That income not only supports me, but also helps me care for stray cats. Every year, I find homes for at least 50 kittens and cats. We’ve helped so many sick cats, TNR’ed over 60 cats last year, and fed thousands. I want to keep doing that. But without YouTube, I can’t continue helping as many cats as I used to.

I love making videos and helping cats. That’s why I need your help right now. I’ve helped hundreds of cats find homes, and now I’m just trying not to lose mine—especially Leo. If you’re able to, please consider supporting. Every bit makes a difference.

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4 days ago | [YT] | 558

Stray Paws of Istanbul

This Monday I received devastating news from the government. I need your help...

Turkey has mandatory military service. I have two options: to stay there for 6 months or pay them nearly 275.000 TRY (7.150 USD) and still have to go there for 26 days. Many things will be okay if I go there for 26 days, but if I go there for 6 months, I will be losing many things. If I go there for 6 months, I will lose my dear cat Leo because he and I have all we have. I will be losing my apartment and probably losing my YouTube channel too. Because I won’t be able to post anything for 6 months. YouTube and cats are the only things keeping me happy and keeping on going in this life. I don’t have anybody to ask for help but you guys. Because I don’t have any family members. Maybe you think, “You have many subscribers; you could be making a lot of money.” I wish this were true, but unfortunately, it’s not. Subscriber number doesn’t mean anything if your videos don’t get any views. I’m making short videos and also cat videos don’t pay much money. My only income is the ad revenue, I don’t have sponsors or anything, and ad money only pays 0.55 USD for 1.000 views. What I’m saying I don’t have this kind of money. I don’t want to lose my cat and my life I have right now. I have two months to collect this money, otherwise I don’t have any choice but to go there for 6 months... You can support me through Buymeacoffee.

Buy Me a Coffee Wishlist: buymeacoffee.com/straypaws/w/44522

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1 week ago | [YT] | 431

Stray Paws of Istanbul

(The second photo is kind of scary I blurred it but if you have a sensitive stomach be careful) I need your help. Last month was incredibly tough for me. Two of our cats went through major surgeries, and it was a challenging time.

Kopush, our tabby and one of the park cats, went missing for a couple of days and came back with a massive wound on his neck. He was on the brink, but thanks to our amazing vets, he pulled through. It took 50 long days of recovery, and it was hard for both him and me. He’s now slowly gaining back the weight and strength he lost.

Then there’s the Scottish Fold cat, who was abandoned due to an eyelid problem. I found him in horrible condition, with infected eyes and clearly suffering. Fortunately, his surgery was also a success, and he's recovering well.

Both cats are doing much better now, but the cost of their surgeries was overwhelming. If you’re able to, I would really appreciate any support to help cover the expenses. Every bit helps, and I’m so grateful for anything you can contribute.

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2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 138

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Another sad story with a happy ending. This beautiful white cat was abandoned by his “owners” at our cat house in the park nine months ago. With blue eyes and a soft white coat…

We didn’t know who left him, so we took him to the vet to check for a microchip. He was chipped, and we thought maybe he had run away and someone found him and left him to the cat house since it’s more secure. However, when we called the registered owners, we received one of the worst responses: “We don’t want him anymore.” By law, they only had to pay 30,000 Turkish Liras (about $900) without facing any other consequences. They said, “Yeah, we know, and we’re willing to pay.” My vet informed the authorities about the situation. His original name was Pamuk (Cotton).

I took him home and started searching for a new family. I found a perfect match! The new family had lost their beloved cat to old age the previous year. They adored Pamuk and changed the information on his microchip to theirs. They also renamed him Maya. He is now living his best life with his forever family. The last photo shows him nine months after being adopted.

Many of you generously donated, and many sent your good wishes and prayers. I’m not a big YouTube channel, and I need your help. If you have the budget to donate, please check the links below. If not, your good wishes and prayers are always appreciated. Thank you, and take care!

Wishlist: www.buymeacoffee.com/straypaws/w/42572

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9 months ago | [YT] | 378

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Hi everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic day. I have some great news and some not-so-great news to share.

Pic 1:
Many of you know that my cat Leo had a severe accident and nearly severed a major vein in his arm. It was terrifying to see his arm bloody and him so scared, but the healing process has gone smoothly. I did my best to care for him, and now his wound is completely healed.

Pics 2, 3, and 4:
A while back, I rescued a scared mother cat and her three kittens, and I shared her rescue video on my channel. I've been trying to find her a forever home since she arrived, but unfortunately, no one has shown interest. I had her spayed a couple of weeks ago, and she's currently at the clinic. We've named her Inci, which means Pearl. She'll stay at the clinic until her spay wound fully heals. I've posted new adoption ads on several adoption websites, hoping someone will adopt her soon. If not, she'll have to go to the cat house in our park since she doesn't get along with Leo. For now, TNR (trap-neuter-return) seems to be the only option. On a brighter note, her three kittens have all been adopted into loving homes. Two of them were inseparable, so I found someone to adopt them together, and the third kitten went to a different home. I'll post an update video about them as soon as possible.

Pics 5 and 6:
The orange and white kitten that jumped into my hoodie has found a wonderful new home. The other orange kitten was adopted too. Unfortunately, the woman who adopted the second orange kitten also took in another sick kitten the next day. Despite my advice, she kept them in the same room and let them share a litter box. Now both kittens are critically ill with bloody diarrhea and vomiting. They're currently at the vet, but their condition is serious. I regret giving the kitten to her and wish I had chosen more carefully, but sometimes you just don't know. I hope both kittens recover quickly. I will update you guys via a post or video as soon as possible.

Pic 7:
Lastly, a huge thank you to everyone who donated. Your support helped pay off some of the vet debt, and I'm incredibly grateful. Your generosity came through when I was in a tough spot financially. I still have some debt to pay off, so if you would like to support me, you can find the donation links below. Thank you all for your attention and support!


You can donate to my wishlist: www.buymeacoffee.com/straypaws/w/42572

Or you can become a monthly contributor by becoming a member: buymeacoffee.com/straypaws

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11 months ago | [YT] | 366

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Hey everyone,I’ve been struggling to pay my vet bills for quite a while now, and I even couldn't pay Mushroom’s eye surgery.
I’ve been avoiding the vet out of embarrassment, but after spaying the mother cat I took in, deworming the kittens, and their checkups, they started asking for the money.
Then the worst happened—my beloved cat Leo got injured. He broke a glass and fell on it, and he barely survived. If the injury had been just a bit lower on his arm, it could have cut a major vein.
The views on my channel have been quite low, and I’m feeling overwhelmed. I have no other choice but to ask for your help. I know everyone struggling and please don’t feel you have to help by giving money. A warm comment will do just fine. Thank you and have a nice day.

You can donate to my wishlist: buymeacoffee.com/straypaws/w/42572

Or you can become monthly contributor by becoming a member: buymeacoffee.com/straypaws

11 months ago | [YT] | 326

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Mushroom is adopted by a wonderful person😍 These are the first photos she sent me.

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1 year ago | [YT] | 288

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Mushroom’s eye getting better everyday. I’ve started to look for a forever home for him. He gained a lot of weight and also he is a huge boy compared to my cat Leo. He is a sweetheart.

1 year ago | [YT] | 249

Stray Paws of Istanbul

Mushroom going to keep his beautiful eye.🎉🎉 We’re going to use a different eye drop for two more weeks and after that the cone will be removed. The whiteness in his eye will fade away but never going to be the same as his other eye. But luckily he will keep both eyes.

1 year ago | [YT] | 291

Stray Paws of Istanbul

nfortunately, he is abandoned by his family. In the cold winter days. He never saw the streets before, never have to defend himself. So, he got scratched in the eye by an another cat. Vets never promised me that his eye will fully recover or not. But they did best they can to save his eye. This Wednesday we will learn if his eye is healing or have to be removed. I don’t know why he abandoned in the first place. He is a lovely boy. He starts to lick my other hand whenever I pet him. For anyone wondering if I have a video of his rescue, nope… After seeing some awful accusations I took a break to making rescue videos. Some people taught I was like one of those fake rescue channels. Not just him I saved many kittens and cats since my last rescue video. Just didn’t wanna share after reading such comments. I just do my best to help them and this channels income and many good supporters helped me to save so many kittens and cats. So thank you for your support guys. By the way, I named him “Mushroom”. As soon as he recovers I will look for a home.

1 year ago | [YT] | 273