A Year of Action & Advocacy For Vulnerable Dogs

Our Director Michelle has described this past year as her Annus horribilis, and sadly, the phrase could not be more fitting. Across Turkey, 2025 was marked by an escalation of anti-dog propaganda which reached boiling point, fuelled by fear, misinformation, and political pressure. For the dogs and the people who care for them, this has been a devastating year of suffering, loss, and unrelenting challenge.

The slaughter law of August 2024 was rolled out resulting in the rounding up of stray dogs, often carried out with no regard for welfare, safety, or protection. Countless dogs were taken from their neighbourhoods and placed in substandard municipal shelters, where neglect, overcrowding, and abuse have become tragically commonplace.

One of the most harrowing incidents occurred in Kars, where drone footage captured dogs being beaten to death with iron bars, a scene so shocking it reverberated throughout the animal welfare community in Turkey. But this was only one example in a year filled with cruelty.

Across the country, untrained teams used catchpoles improperly, sometimes fatally. Young puppies were heard screaming as they were thrown into the backs of trucks already crowded with adult dogs. Dogs collapsed and died after being injected with narcotics in the streets, slipping away helplessly as their community carers watched, powerless to intervene. Others lost their lives in stifling, crowded vans, transported in extreme heat with no ventilation or respite.

On the streets, emboldened by rising rhetoric, some citizens carried out acts of merciless violence, leading to the deaths of countless innocent animals. These were not isolated incidents they formed part of a broader, more troubling pattern of hostility towards the very beings who rely most heavily on human compassion.

The Toll on Community Carers

For community dog feeders and volunteer carers, the emotional and physical toll has been immense. Many were verbally abused, threatened, physically attacked, and left fearing for their own safety simply because they refused to abandon the animals in their care.

And heart breakingly, some good, kind people lost their lives this year for the simple act of helping dogs. Their dedication, courage, and love will never be forgotten.

Staying Standing in the Storm

Operating in such an environment while remaining fully compliant with the law has been extraordinarily difficult. Some of our planned initiatives had to be temporarily paused, and vital funding had to be ring-fenced as we awaited formal permissions to proceed.

Many organisations might have stepped back or walked away in such conditions.

But we could not.
And we would not.

Our commitment to Turkey’s dogs and to the people who fight every day to protect them remains absolute.

To navigate this year, we have had to be more dynamic and adaptive than at any other time in our history. Every crisis demanded a rapid, compassionate response. Every obstacle required strategy, resilience, and unity.

Achievements Against All Odds

Despite the darkness of this year, there have also been extraordinary moments of success.

Dog Desk Animal Action surpassed our one-millionth meal served, an incredible milestone for a small organisation operating under such intense pressure. This achievement represents more than meals, it reflects hope, survival, and the unwavering belief that every dog deserves care.

We continued to support frontline carers, documented abuses, advocated tirelessly for humane solutions, and remained operational when the need for our work was at its greatest.

When Power Stayed Silent, You Spoke Up

It has been almost impossible to persuade those with power and influence to stand with these dogs. We wrote to more than 400 journalists, and reached out to every celebrity and influencer we know, yet were met with silence. Perhaps the world feels too dark right now, or compassion too thinly stretched I don’t know. But what I do know is that you showed up. To everyone who chose to care, to share, to donate, to speak up when the louder voices would not: thank you. You are the light these dogs have, and the reason we keep going.

Stepping Into 2026 With Hope

As we enter 2026, we do so with vigour, resilience, and profound hope. Hope for the dogs who continue to endure, for the carers who refuse to give up, and for the people across Turkey and beyond who envision a more compassionate future.

The road ahead will be challenging.
But our motto guides us, just as it always has:

“We will find a way.”

And we always do.

Thank You

To our supporters, those who donate, advocate, educate, comfort, share, and stand firmly by our side:

Thank you.

Your kindness has allowed us to remain operational in our darkest year.
Your encouragement has strengthened our team when the weight felt unbearable.
Your engagement has helped protect animals and uplift the people who care for them.

Together, we step into 2026 ready to continue the fight for justice, for compassion, and above all, for the dogs of Turkey.