Turkey
Bursa Shelter Says Pandemic Pet Abandonment Is Still Rising
A private animal shelter in Bursa says dogs and cats adopted during the Covid-19 pandemic continue to be abandoned in significant numbers years later.
The Her Eve Bir Pati Association (HEPAD) stated its shelter is currently caring for around 1,000 animals, most of them dogs. Representatives said many of the animals were originally adopted during lockdown periods before later being discarded when normal life resumed.
The organisation also described worsening pressure linked to rising veterinary bills, food costs, and overcrowding inside already stretched rescue facilities.
India
Bengaluru Launches Campaign Promoting Adoption Of Community Dogs
A new initiative called MOTI (Movement of Trust & Inclusion) has launched in Bengaluru with the aim of encouraging adoption of India’s free-roaming community dogs instead of imported pedigree breeds.
The campaign opened with a public walkathon involving rescue groups, local residents, officials, and community dogs at Cubbon Park. Organisers said the initiative is designed to reduce stigma surrounding Indie dogs while promoting coexistence and responsible adoption.
Officials also used the launch to encourage residents to place water bowls outside for street animals during extreme summer temperatures affecting the city.
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan Moves Closer To No Return Street Dog Policy
Kazakhstan is moving closer to adopting a controversial no-return model for street dog management following parliamentary approval of new amendments advancing through the Senate.
The proposed framework would reportedly move away from catch-neuter-vaccinate-return systems in many situations, replacing them with permanent removal approaches centred on shelters and euthanasia powers.
Animal welfare organisations inside Kazakhstan have strongly criticised the changes, warning the measures could lead to overcrowding, increased killing, and serious welfare concerns.
Japan
Rescue Dog Adoption Events Continue Expanding Across Japan
Animal welfare organisations and commercial partners in Japan are continuing to expand large-scale adoption events focused on rehoming rescue dogs and cats.
Multiple adoption fairs are scheduled throughout May across retail centres and dedicated adoption venues, with organisers reporting growing public interest in rescue animal adoption. Some events are expected to feature more than 25 rescue dogs at a time.
The expansion reflects a broader cultural shift toward rescue and rehoming within Japan’s companion animal sector.
Italy
Italian Pensioner Donates Entire Lottery Win To Animal Shelter
An Italian pensioner from Genoa has reportedly donated his entire €92,000 lottery win to a local animal shelter after learning of the organisation’s financial difficulties.
Luciano Quaglia said he chose to give the money to animals rather than spend it on himself. The story has received widespread attention across Italian media and animal welfare networks.
The donation is expected to assist with veterinary treatment, food purchases, and long-term care for abandoned animals at the shelter.
South Korea
Seoul Expands Support Programme For Elderly Pet Owners
Seoul Metropolitan Government has expanded welfare support measures for elderly pet owners, including veterinary assistance and temporary care services for animals belonging to vulnerable residents.
Officials said the programme is intended to reduce abandonment linked to illness, hospitalisation, and financial hardship among older guardians. Support includes foster care placement during emergencies and subsidised veterinary treatment.
The initiative reflects growing concern in South Korea around ageing populations, companion animal welfare, and long-term care planning for pets belonging to elderly citizens.
United States
Florida Rescuers Warn Of Rising Dog Abandonment Linked To Housing Crisis
Animal rescue groups in Florida say they are seeing increasing numbers of dogs abandoned or surrendered as rising housing costs and rental restrictions continue affecting pet owners across the state.
Shelters and rescue organisations report that many families are being forced to give up animals after moving into accommodation with breed restrictions, pet limits, or unaffordable fees. Some groups say large dogs are among the hardest animals to rehome under current housing conditions.
Welfare organisations warned that the combination of economic pressure, veterinary costs, and housing insecurity is creating long-term strain on rescue systems already struggling with high intake numbers and slowing adoption rates across parts of the United States.
Turkey
Questions Raised Over How Istanbul’s New Street Dog Inventory System Will Be Independently Verified
New measures introduced following Istanbul’s Provincial Animal Protection Board meeting will require municipalities to submit monthly inventories of free-roaming dogs alongside updates on shelter capacity, collection operations, and animal transfers.
Under the system, districts must upload updated figures into the national HAYBİS database by the fifth day of every month. Authorities say the reporting structure is intended to improve oversight and enforcement of animal management operations across the city.
However, the announcement has already prompted questions from animal welfare observers over how the figures will be independently verified.
Critics argue that without transparent public auditing, external inspection, or independent monitoring mechanisms, it remains unclear how discrepancies between reported collection numbers, shelter populations, transfers, deaths, and actual street populations will be identified or challenged.
The issue has become increasingly significant amid wider national debate surrounding shelter capacity, transparency, and the long-term fate of collected street dogs under Turkey’s revised animal management framework.
End of Bulletin