Moving Forward: A Humane Vision for Turkey’s Stray Dogs
Introduction: The Reality We’re Facing
Changes to Law No. 5199 on the Protection of Animals have triggered a sharp increase in the mass collection of stray dogs across Turkey.
While these measures are often presented as public safety initiatives, the reality on the ground is far from humane or effective.
Evidence on the ground reveals that the government is unable to provide sufficient shelter capacity, veterinary care, or adoption pathways for the dogs being removed from the streets.
With an estimated 4 million stray dogs in Turkey and limited infrastructure to care for them, the current approach risks creating widespread animal suffering without addressing the root causes of the problem.
Why Mass Roundups Are Not the Answer
1. A Capacity Crisis
Animal shelters across Turkey are already stretched far beyond their limits. Without adequate space, food, and trained staff, many dogs face overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, leading to illness, injury, and death.
Collecting more animals without expanding capacity only compounds the crisis.
2. Failure to Address the Cause
Removing dogs from the streets without sterilising them on a large scale is a temporary and ineffective fix.
Without consistent neutering programmes, stray populations will quickly rebound, perpetuating the cycle of collection and suffering. We recently discovered that post spay & neuter mortality rates in municipal shelters was as high as 13%.
The accepted rate in private clinics is 0.6%, with some clinics achieving as low as 0.3%. It is vital that municipalities act right away to discover why mortality rates are so high & bring them down to an acceptable rate.
Dog Desk Animal Action’s Recommendations for a Better Future
At Dog Desk Animal Action, we believe in solutions that are compassionate, sustainable, and grounded in evidence.
Our recommendations focus on both immediate relief and long-term change.
1. Pause Mass Roundups
Collections should only take place when there is enough capacity to provide humane care, veterinary treatment, and the possibility of adoption.
Failing shelters should be closed immediately & brought up to an acceptable standard.
2. Launch a National Trap–Neuter–Return (TNR) Programme
TNR is proven to be the most effective and humane way to reduce stray dog populations over time.
Dogs are humanely captured, sterilised, vaccinated, and returned to their original location, where they can live out their lives without reproducing.
3. Invest in Humane Sheltering
Modern shelters with veterinary facilities, adequate space, and trained staff are vital.
This investment should be made alongside a commitment to high welfare standards and independent inspections.
4. Enforce Breeding and Sale Regulations
Illegal puppy farms and unlicensed breeders contribute directly to stray populations.
The government must enforce existing laws with regular inspections, strict penalties, and public awareness campaigns to discourage illegal practices.
We would like to see a moratorium on all breeding until the stray population is under control.
5. Educate and Engage the Public
Long-term change depends on public understanding.
Campaigns promoting adoption, sterilisation, and responsible pet ownership can shift cultural attitudes and prevent future abandonment.
6. Working Dog Health Programmes
Many strays in Turkey come from surplus working dogs that are abandoned once no longer needed.
The shepherd dog health programme shows how microchipping, vaccination, and health monitoring can create accountability and prevent this.
Expanding such measures nationwide is vital to control surplus working animals and reduce the flow of abandoned dogs onto the streets.
7. Independent Inspections & Volunteer Support
Shelter standards can be improved through a monitoring body of civil servants, independent medical practitioners, and NGOs, supported by trained volunteer banks in every municipality.
Volunteers would assist with walking, grooming, and socialising dogs, helping prepare them for successful adoption.
8. Community Support Networks for Underfunded Shelters
Groups should be established under proper supervision to support shelters that lack the funding to meet dogs’ needs.
By encouraging local businesses and community members to donate goods and services, we can ease the financial burden on shelters while ensuring the animals receive the care and enrichment they deserve.
9. NGO adoption Support
NGOs can play a vital role in supporting municipalities with adoption programmes by promoting shelter dogs to wider audiences, organising adoption events, and using their networks to connect animals with responsible families.
Their experience in outreach, screening, and post-adoption follow-up helps ensure lasting matches, while also reducing the strain on municipal shelters and giving more dogs the chance of a better life.
Our Role in Driving Change
Dog Desk Animal Action is committed to taking a proactive role in shaping a humane future for Turkey’s dogs.
Advocacy
We amplify the voices of those calling for compassionate and effective policies, both in Turkey and abroad.
Through petitions, open letters, and collaboration with welfare groups, we are keeping the issue on the global agenda.
Collaboration
We work alongside grassroots rescuers, veterinarians & shelters to provide immediate relief for animals in danger.
This includes emergency medical treatment, food, and educational support.
Awareness
Our blogs, newsletters, and social media campaigns reveal the reality of the stray dog crisis while showing that viable solutions exist.
We believe that informed citizens are powerful agents of change.
Prevention
Our projects aim to ease the pressures that can lead to pet abandonment, helping to reduce the number of animals ending up on the streets.
A Call to Action
We are at a crossroads. The path chosen now will determine whether millions of dogs in Turkey face lives of suffering or whether we move toward a humane, effective, and sustainable solution.
We urge Turkish authorities to:
Pause mass roundups until there is adequate shelter and care capacity.
Implement a national TNR programme to control populations humanely.
Invest in infrastructure and enforcement to tackle the root causes of abandonment.
Instigate a breeding moratorium prevent puppies being sold at risk of abandonment, thus reducing the likelihood of a swell in stray dogs
And we call on our supporters to:
🐾 Sign our petition to stop the roundups and fund humane alternatives.
🐾 Write to MEPS so that international pressure is applied on Turkey to end mass roundups and adopt humane, effective solutions for stray dogs.
🐾 Share this blog to spread the word and increase global pressure.
Together, we can build a future where no dog suffers on the streets and no family has to give up a beloved pet due to hardship.