Happy Paws was set up by retired businesswomen Lisa Smart. The charity rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes abandoned golden retrievers from Turkey. Lisa – who rescued her first golden in 2013 – works alongside a team of volunteers and the Turkish authorities to set up a rescue centre in Turkey known as The Garden. The Garden features a two-acre play park and onsite vet. Here in Eastbourne there is an office which serves as the charity’s hub.
Volunteers in Turkey alert Happy Paws of a golden retriever in need, an assessment is done before it is transported to The Garden. From there they’re checked over by the vet and looked after by an assigned member of staff for a couple of months. Once it’s agreed they will come to the UK they’re placed in an English foster home in Turkey and matched to their forever home. Some of the rehomed dogs have gone on to become therapy dogs for children with learning difficulties.
The Garden currently has 400 dogs in its care and over the years it has rescued more than 1,600. It is run by 10 members of staff and around 30 volunteers.
UK families apply to Happy Paws and are called to discuss what they’re looking for in a dog to make sure the right match is made. Lisa said: “We match our dogs very carefully taking into consideration what the family home can offer and the temperament and behaviour of the dog - it’s not an exact science but we never get a dog given back so we must be doing something right.”
When Lisa retired she planned on doing some voluntary work for a rescue centre in the UK but when she was asked to help an abandoned golden retriever in Turkey the plan changed and she hasn’t looked back since. She now travels over to Turkey three times a year.
Lisa said: “I thought after I retired, I’d like to do something positive. After rescuing my first golden in Turkey I realised there was a big problem with animal welfare there. We work in very close proximity with the Turkish authorities, and they are happy to work with us - that’s the key. I’m a great believer in working with our Turkish friends rather than criticising them. We wanted to make sure we were all working together, and everyone was on side when we set up the centre
“The dogs are in lovely surroundings, we have 10 members of staff. We also partner with an American and German charity. It was our mission to be the best rescue centre in Turkey, the work and the achievements we’ve done together has been incredibly positive. There is not another centre like ours in Turkey and we are all so proud of this.
“When you take a dog out of a horrific situation, rehabilitate them and then see them living the dream with a wonderful loving family simply makes all the hard work so worthwhile.”
Scroll down for photos from Lisa of some success stories for Happy Paws...
1. Lisa with dog behaviourist Burcn Tosun at The Garden
Lisa with dog behaviourist Burcn Tosun at The Garden Photo: -
2. Some of the golden retrievers in The Garden
Some of the golden retrievers in The Garden Photo: -
3. Maya (right)
Maya was actually given to Happy Paws by her owner, if the charity hadn’t stepped in she would have gone to a pound. Photo: -
4. Albie
Albie was hit so hard that he was knocked unconscious. Happy Paws was asked to help and he received medical treatment. He’s now with a family who loves him. Photo: -