Following a controversial change in the law, Turkey is taking massive action against street dogs in the country. Since August 2, 2024, a loophole in the new law has allowed the animals to be killed. It is estimated that there are four million street dogs in Turkey. The German Animal Welfare Association therefore advises animal lovers to avoid Turkey when planning their vacation.
Since the change in the law, the cruel information and images from Turkey have been piling up: dogs being brutally captured, devastating conditions in municipal animal shelters, carcasses of killed street dogs, reports of animal abuse and a radical crackdown on animal rights activists. “Turkey has taken a serious step backwards in animal welfare, which is currently bringing suffering and death to Turkish street dogs. Our appeals for an animal-friendly solution to the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the German Embassy in Turkey, the Turkish Embassy in Germany, the German-Turkish parliamentary group in the Bundestag and the appeals of numerous animal rights activists from Turkey have unfortunately gone unheard so far. However, the “catch, neuter, release” concept offers an animal-friendly alternative to reduce the street animal population,” says Lisa Hoth-Zimak, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Association. “We can only recommend animal lovers from Germany to avoid Turkey as a vacation destination and thus build up pressure on the Turkish government.” Anyone who would also like to help can educate people in their own environment about animal welfare issues or donate to animal welfare organizations that care for stray animals in Turkey. The association “Datcadogs - Hilfe für die Straßentiere in Datca e.V.” is affiliated with the German Animal Welfare Association and is responsible for neutering and caring for street animals.
