Turkey's rescue workers, society demonstrate love for animals following İzmir quake

Duvar English

Turkey's rescue workers took time to save all kinds of animals from the rubble following the devastating earthquake that hit the Aegean province of İzmir on Oct. 30.

Perhaps the most well-known among the animal rescues was an officer of the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) who patiently waited to lure out a cat from underneath the rubble.

After calling for the scared feline multiple times, the officer realized that the cat was stuck, and proceeded to reach underneath to free him.

Once he got the clearly distressed cat out from under the concrete, the officer is seen giving the animal pets to try to calm it.

Another heroic moment in the rescue efforts was the discovery of a cat under the rubble some 30 hours after the quake hit.

The rescue worker in this case was a four-legged officer working as a K-9 dog in the relief efforts.

Another cat was rescued from the rubble some 32 hours after the earthquake.

While the feline had torn off all its nails in an attempt to dig itself out of the rubble, a neighbor adopted it.

Meanwhile, workers of the non-governmental Search and Rescue Association (AKUT) found a rabbit under the rubble the day after the quake.

Perhaps the smallest survivor of all, a budgerigar was recovered alive from under the rubble, where it was left in its cage during the quake.

Meanwhile, the İzmir Veterinarians Chamber announced that they would offer free shelter and food for animals whose homes got destroyed in the quake.

The chamber, along with Turkish Veterinarian Physicians Association (TVHB) provided phone numbers that residents could reach for any needs concerning animals.

Ankara Mayor Mansur Yavaş' cat Ankara Khaleesi's Twitter account shared a photo of a truck filled with bags of cat and dog food, noting that the mayor "didn't forget about four-legged friends."