Pet paintings support Turkey’s stray animals in new HAYTAP project

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Animal lovers can provide support for Turkey’s stray animals by commissioning portraits of their own pets, as part of a new project by the Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP). 

HAYTAP’s “Let’s Paint Your Pet” project will allow pet owners to both get a portrait of their pet while also donating to stray animals at the same time.

“We wanted to be a mediator for people who have a cat, dog or other animal and want to get their portrait painted. We offered this alternative project for those who also want to support animals on the streets. They get the portrait of their pets done and also provide this support,” said HAYTAP Executive Board President Ahmet Kemal Şenpolat.

HAYTAP attempts to help all unattended and ownerless animals, including those in zoos and test stations, but Şenpolat said the current level of donations is not enough, necessitating the development of such projects. 
The commissioned paintings of pets as part of the project will be completed by interior designer Filiz Mungan, who established the company Mungan Art & Design for the benefit of stray animals. 

Mungan said she started out by taking photos of stray animals before starting to paint them, adding that the two exhibitions she has held so far have drawn considerable interest. She said she spent the income from her paintings on stray animals. 

“I wanted to help stray animals more so came together with HAYTAP and I was included in the project. People can have portraits of their pets painted, or they can be painted together. I mostly work with oil paints but sometimes use charcoal and other techniques. In the HAYTAP project, a painting can be sold for 250-500 Turkish Liras depending on its technique and size. In this way, people get a painting of their pets and also support stray animals,” Mungan added.