Orhangazi Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center Opened

Türkçe

Orhangazi Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center, the foundation of which was laid last year in cooperation with Cargill, Basic Needs Association (TİDER) and Orhangazi Municipality, was put into service with a ceremony held on December 4. The center, implemented to increase the welfare of stray animals and offer them a modern living space, has become one of the most comprehensive and modern facilities in Türkiye.

Established on an area of 36,066 square meters in Arapzade District of Bursa's Orhangazi district, the center was designed at international standards, considering the needs of the animals. Beyond being just a shelter, the facility stands out as a modern rehabilitation complex with natural habitats that take care of the physical and mental well-being of animals. 

The Orhangazi Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center will address a critical community need by advancing best practices in animal care, reducing the stray population through humane programs, and raising public awareness by training local volunteers. The center will also serve as a welcoming community hub where stray animals receive compassionate care, treatment, nourishment and, ultimately, the chance to be adopted. The center includes essential units such as fully equipped treatment and sterilization rooms, dedicated care areas for injured or sick animals, temporary shelter and feeding spaces, as well as a pharmaceutical warehouse and cold storage for food. Its primary mission is to ensure that animals completing their care and rehabilitation are placed in safe, loving homes as quickly as possible.

Far Beyond a Shelter
Orhangazi Mayor Bekir Aydın stated that the project has a meaning far beyond being just a shelter: "This will be a living space where our stray animals will feel safe, and all their needs will be fully met. Our goal is to find a warm home for each of them by providing the best care and accelerating the adoption processes. This facility will be both a guarantee for our animal friends and a source of peace for our citizens." 

“We Add Value to Society”
In his speech at the opening, Murat Tarakçıoğlu, Food META Managing Director, emphasized Cargill's mission to add value to the communities in which it operates: "As Cargill, we feel a deep responsibility to protect our planet, beyond being just a food company. We have had the pride of serving the community with projects such as the Cargill Primary School, Cargill 112 Emergency Center, and Cargill Health Center, which we have previously implemented in Orhangazi. Today, we are very happy to contribute to the well-being of animas with this modern rehabilitation center. This project is the most concrete example of how successful the cooperation of the public, private sector and civil society can produce."

We Produce Solutions Hand in Hand
Hande Tibuk, President of TİDER (Basic Needs Association), drew attention to the critical role of civil society in such projects: "The solution to the housing, nutrition and rehabilitation problems of stray animals is possible with the joint work of all stakeholders. The cooperation of municipalities, the private sector and NGOs enable us to produce sustainable and humane solutions. As TİDER, our priority is to reach those in need, but we care equally about the basic needs of our animal friends. We sincerely believe that this project, which we have implemented with Orhangazi Municipality and Cargill, will inspire and set an example for other institutions in Türkiye."