Turkey’s stray dogs find homes abroad after new law to clear them off streets

ISTANBUL, Sept 5 (Reuters) – Former street dogs Dali and Deezi from Istanbul are now living in the Netherlands, enjoying a comfortable life after spending years in a shelter in Turkey. This comes at a time when new legislation in Turkey threatens to round up stray dogs from the streets.

In July, Turkey’s parliament enacted a law requiring the collection of the nation’s estimated four million stray dogs. This legislation has sparked concerns among animal rights advocates and the opposition, who worry it may result in widespread euthanasia of these animals. The new law, driven by worries over dog attacks, road accidents, and rabies, aims to confine all stray dogs to municipal shelters by 2028. It stipulates that dogs exhibiting aggressive behavior or suffering from incurable diseases will be put down.

Nilgul Sayar, an animal rights activist who operates an NGO shelter near Istanbul, has been sending dogs abroad for adoption and reports a surge in demand since the law’s passage. “We currently have about 20-25 dogs prepared for travel,” Sayar stated. “We are receiving many inquiries about adoption. I hope to send more dogs to good homes soon.” Preparing a dog for travel to the EU, complete with the required paperwork and vaccinations, typically takes 3-4 months and costs approximately 1,000 euros ($1,107).

Turkish shelters, with a capacity for around 100,000 dogs, are struggling with space constraints. Sayar noted that it can take years to find homes for older, large, and disabled dogs, which make up a significant portion of her shelter’s population. In response to the law, cities are planning to construct additional shelters.

Dali, named after Salvador Dali’s three-legged chair, lost a leg in a car accident as a puppy. Both Dali and Deezi, who is nine years old, spent four years at Sayar’s shelter. Volunteers like Ali Okay have assisted in flying these dogs from Turkey to Belgium, with NGOs such as Animal Care Projects then transporting them to the Netherlands.

Recent weeks have seen widespread protests in Turkey against the new law. Many Turks have a deep affection for stray dogs and cats, often caring for them by providing food, water, and makeshift shelters. Some businesses are now adopting strays for their offices, a coastal hotel has constructed a shelter for dogs to interact with tourists, and veterinarians are offering free vaccinations to those adopting street animals.

Previously, Turkey managed stray dogs by trapping and neutering them before returning them to the streets. Critics argue that if this method had been properly enforced, it could have effectively controlled the stray dog population.

Currently, Dali is in a foster home in the Netherlands waiting for adoption, while Deezi is adjusting to her new home in Haarlem. Her new owner, Caroline Dieleman, shared that Deezi is content and settled. Dieleman, who was grieving the loss of her own dog in June, decided to adopt Deezi in response to the new law. “The new law makes me feel physically ill and powerless,” Dieleman admitted. “It might seem like a small gesture, rescuing just one dog, but every bit helps.”

Reported by Reuters.