By Ezgi Erkoyun and Ali Kucukgocmen
ISTANBUL (Reuters) — In the wake of a new Turkish law aimed at addressing the country’s large stray dog population, some of Istanbul’s former street dogs have found new homes abroad, as activists and pet lovers work to save them from potential euthanasia.
The new legislation, passed by Turkey’s parliament in July, mandates the impounding of the estimated four million stray dogs across the country. The law, driven by concerns over dog attacks, road accidents, and rabies, seeks to place all strays in municipal shelters by 2028. It stipulates that any dogs displaying aggressive behavior or suffering from untreatable diseases will be euthanized.
Animal rights activists and pet lovers have expressed deep concerns about the new law. They fear that it will lead to a significant number of strays being put down rather than being rehabilitated or adopted. In response, many are working tirelessly to find homes for these animals abroad, with some finding success in countries like the Netherlands.
Dali, a street dog who lost a leg to a car accident as a puppy, and Deezi, a nine-year-old stray, are among those fortunate enough to have found new lives in the Netherlands. Both dogs spent four years in an Istanbul shelter run by animal rights activist Nilgul Sayar, who has been instrumental in their relocation.
Sayar’s organization has seen a surge in adoption requests since the new law was enacted. “We have around 20-25 dogs ready to fly,” Sayar said. “People continue to reach out to us for adoption. I hope we will send more dogs soon. They will all have good homes.”
The process of preparing a dog for travel to the European Union involves extensive paperwork, vaccinations, and can take up to three to four months, costing around 1,000 euros ($1,107). Despite these challenges, the effort to relocate dogs like Dali and Deezi demonstrates the commitment of activists to securing better futures for these animals.
In Turkey, the scale of the challenge is significant. The country’s shelters, which have a combined capacity for 100,000 dogs, are already overcrowded. Finding homes for large, old, and disabled dogs — the majority in many shelters — can take years. The new law will compel cities to build additional pounds to accommodate the influx of impounded strays.
Dali, named after Salvador Dali’s three-legged chair, and Deezi, have now settled into their new homes in the Netherlands. Deezi’s new owner, Caroline Dieleman, was inspired to adopt her after learning about the new law while mourning the loss of her own dog. “I decided to rescue Deezi,” Dieleman said. “She’s settling into her new home in Haarlem and is relaxed and happy.”
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The new law has sparked widespread protests in Turkey. Stray dogs and cats are a common sight in Turkish cities, where they are often cared for by residents who provide food, water, and makeshift shelters. The sight of large strays resting in shop doorways is a familiar one, and many people make a concerted effort to ensure their well-being.
In response to the new legislation, some Turkish businesses have adopted strays for their offices, and a coastal hotel has built a dog shelter to introduce strays to tourists. Additionally, some veterinarians are offering free vaccinations for those who adopt animals from the streets.
Critics argue that Turkey’s previous policy of trapping, neutering, and returning dogs to the streets — if implemented effectively — could have controlled the stray population without the need for the new law. They contend that the policy, which aimed to manage dog numbers humanely, was undermined by inadequate execution.
As Turkey navigates this contentious issue, the relocation of dogs like Dali and Deezi provides a glimmer of hope for those advocating for animal welfare. The new law has undeniably intensified the urgency to address the stray dog crisis, but it has also galvanized a global network of supporters dedicated to finding safe and loving homes for these animals.
