Barriers To Dog Adoption In Turkey
Sometimes, we receive criticism on social media regarding the lack of post adoption stories we offer the public.
When we observe anything, it's natural to interpret it through the lens of our own experiences. This is generally a normal response.
For instance, if you reside in a European country where dogs are cherished, you're likely to see numerous dogs living in loving homes on every street.
However, this is not a universal cultural norm.
In Turkey, pet ownership is gradually gaining traction, but currently only 5% of the population own a dog. Within this small percentage, most people prefer to purchase purebred dogs.
Very few are open to adopting mixed-breed stray dogs. Most of the dogs we help spend their entire lives waiting for somebody to adopt them.
We are strictly no kill & that will never change.
The reason we don't send dogs to other countries is because many rescue organizations abroad are already overwhelmed.
Some have told us that there aren't enough homes for dogs currently in council pounds, which tragically leads to dogs being put to sleep daily. We are very sensitive to this issue.
Additionally, we don't have rescue partners in other countries. We believe in the importance of having RBU, or rescue back up, as best practice.
It ensures that dogs have a safety net if anything should happen to their owner that prevents them from continuing to care for the dog. At present, we lack the necessary rescue partners to provide this level of support & it is not for lack of trying.
The situation for stray dogs in Turkey is dire at the moment.
There are numerous reports and social media posts illustrating the mass culling of these animals, with many dogs losing their lives in the streets as they are rounded up by municipalities. As far as we are aware we are the only UK organisation regularly highlighting these abuses.
Disturbingly, even owned dogs are not safe and have been killed by municipal workers.
The current climate is filled with animosity towards dogs, making it a challenging time for these animals.
Adopters are hesitant to disclose the whereabouts of their dogs, fearing for their safety.
I fully understand that & respect their decision to withhold publishing permission. The dog always comes before our own personal needs & desires.
The recent imposition of strict regulations by the government has significantly complicated the adoption process for rescue animals.
Council shelters now limit adoptions.
Furthermore, the ban on adoptions from private shelters adds an additional layer of difficulty. Can you imagine that. A rescue organisation that is not allowed to find homes for their rescues.
In recent times, I've observed a noticeable shift in the expectations of some supporters in the rescue world, which has impacted their continued interest in the vital work each rescue org does.
I've previously expressed my concerns about the balance between entertainment and rescue efforts.
Our mission extends beyond just rescuing dogs; a significant part of our work involves clinical and educational initiatives. Core to our mission is our spay and neuter program, and we also strive to influence those in positions of power to enact positive change for the dogs' well-being.
As far as I am aware we are the only organisation which has built robust relationships with government officials in Turkey.
The challenge we face is that even if we had the resources to document every aspect of our operations, creating engaging and fun content that resonates with a wide audience is almost impossible.
My fear is that the essential, hands-on rescue work might one day diminish as people increasingly gravitate towards more frivolous content.
Please keep barracking for us little guys working in extremely hostile environments with little funding & little support. If you don’t we will all be gone.