Do Free Roaming Shelters Really Work?

Free roaming has become a popular term in the UK ever since an admirable charitable organisation launched the first facility of its kind here a few years back. Their remarkable efforts have saved numerous dogs from uncertain futures, and we wholeheartedly support and applaud their mission. However, the concept of free roaming isn’t entirely new. Our friend Robert Smith, for instance, opened a free roaming facility in Romania several years ago, and there are countless examples worldwide. You can see Robert’s facility here

In our shelter project in Turkey, we provide a safe haven for hundreds of dogs who enjoy the freedom to move around as part of a free roaming pack. They are provided with shelters, huts, food, water, and enrichment, creating a wonderful lifestyle for them. Although we make it seem effortless, trust me, it’s far from easy. You cannot simply gather dogs from various areas and expect everything to be harmonious & without consequences. It requires considerable effort and careful management to ensure everyone’s happiness and maintain pack harmony.

News from Turkey this morning has deeply concerned us. A municipality has proposed plans to relocate dogs from numerous towns and villages to a 70-acre site where they will be allowed to roam freely. From our experience, this situation could lead to disastrous outcomes. It is not feasible to simply remove hundreds of dogs from the streets and confine them to an unfamiliar area with a large group of unknown dogs. This setup is likely to lead to fights, resulting in injuries and even fatalities.

In our practice, each dog introduced to our free-roaming pack is first housed separately and carefully assessed by the shelter manager before being integrated into the larger group. Some dogs, like my Constance and Oliver, have formed close bonds with each other but become very stressed around other dogs, likely due to past abuse in fighting rings. These dogs cannot be part of the main pack. Smaller dogs and puppies need their own smaller social groups & roam independently as they are often targeted by larger dogs. The same applies to some but not all disabled dogs. Additionally, keeping entire males and females in close proximity is highly problematic. Their hormones can lead to frequent fights, not to mention the risk of unplanned pregnancies. The shelter project manager is extremely diligent & makes sure that any conflict is avoided or quickly diffused.

The recent announcement by Çanakkale DKMP about their plans to relocate street dogs to a 70-acre facility raises several concerns. While the intention to provide shelter is commendable, the process of adoption remains unclear, especially in light of recent restrictions imposed by DKMP on adopting dogs from public shelters and limiting the number of dogs individuals can own. This raises the question of how these dogs will find new homes.

Furthermore, the plan to feed these dogs with waste food from local businesses is troubling. Feeding animals is a critical aspect of their care, and it is well-known that dog food is specifically formulated by nutritionists to meet the dietary needs of dogs, ensuring they receive the right balance of nutrients for a healthy life. Relying on leftover human food, such as that from wedding parties, poses risks not only to the nutritional quality but also to the safety of the food. It is imperative that any organization involved in animal welfare prioritizes the health and well-being of the animals in their care, ensuring that food safety and nutritional standards are upheld.

We recently visited the shelter in Çanakkale and found it to be well-maintained. The veterinarian welcomed us warmly, and everything was transparent. The dogs were properly housed and seemed content. However, this wasn't always the case. In March 2022, pit bulls were brought into the shelter and placed in a free-roaming environment, leading to tragic outcomes. It's important to be aware that the following video is distressing before viewing it.

There were seven pit bulls in total. A fight broke out, resulting in the death of two dogs. At the time, there were rumours suggesting that the dogs were starved and killed for food. However, we were involved in their rescue and subsequent care, and we can confirm that they did not kill due to hunger. The dogs involved in the fighting are highly reactive to other dogs, likely due to abuse in fighting rings. They are friendly with people but become extremely stressed around other dogs. Placing them together in a free-roaming paddock led to the unfortunate incident. Çanakkale has issued a statement, which you can read here.

The decision to euthanize the remaining five pitbulls felt unjust and harsh, considering that it was human actions that led them to their current state. They were placed in harmful environments, which tragically resulted in the death of two dogs, and there appeared to be no willingness to help them heal from the damage inflicted. I strongly believe that seeking solutions through killing is both cowardly and cruel, so we were determined to find a way to rehabilitate the dogs and offer them a second chance. I am pleased to share that our efforts paid off.

However, we were not prepared for the situation that unfolded during their transport to a new home. Despite the municipality being informed about the dogs' stress around other dogs, they were not sedated or crated separately for their 40 km journey. When the van door opened, we were greeted with chaos: the dogs were awake and loose, and two had begun fighting with a third, resulting in a bloody scene. Shelter employees quickly intervened to break up the fight, while another recorded the incident as evidence. This was something that could not be ignored or hidden away.

Fortunately, the dogs were unharmed apart from one sustaining superficial injuries that healed swiftly. For the past three years, they have lived contentedly and peacefully, posing no threat to anyone, with all their needs being met to ensure their happiness.

The following video is very distressing please be mindful of this before you press play.

We are closely monitoring the developments in this municipality and sincerely hope that our concerns will be addressed. It would be wonderful to see the dogs housed in a way that ensures their safety and provides them with a nutritious diet. We are hopeful that the adoption restrictions will be lifted and that no dog will suffer from injuries due to fighting, starvation, or any human actions in this facility. Providing shelter for dogs is a noble mission and one we fully support, but only when it is executed with the welfare of the dogs as the top priority. Regrettably, we are not optimistic that this will be the case here.

We work very hard in Turkey to ensure the safety & well-being of as many dogs as we can & currently have 1000 dogs under our protection. We are the tiniest of organisations & operate hand to mouth. If you could consider subscribing we would be very grateful as it really helps us. There is a free version as well as a paid one.

Thank you for reading Michelle