The Story of Ares: Why One Golden Retriever Captured Hearts—and What It Means for the Rest
Ares Wasn't Dangerous—Just Unwanted
Ares, a golden retriever, found himself in a municipal shelter in Izmir—not because he was aggressive or sick, but simply because someone complained.
That’s all it takes in Turkey right now. A single complaint can condemn a dog to confinement, regardless of whether it poses any threat.
The law states that only dogs who are aggressive to people or are sick should be collected, despite this ALL dogs are vanishing from the streets at the speed of light even though there are not enough shelters to house them.
A Lucky Break—But Only for Him
Unlike the countless other dogs still languishing in public shelters, Ares stood out because he was a breed dog. His recognisable golden retriever features drew attention and sympathy. Thanks to the compassion of caring individuals and their swift action, Ares was rescued from the shelter.
His rescue is a strategic step in the broader fight for justice—because Ares now symbolizes the countless breed dogs discarded across Turkey. His story underscores the urgent need for a national moratorium on breeding.
The Dogs Left Behind
Most dogs in shelters—especially mixed breeds or so-called “street dogs”—are not so lucky, there is no rescue, no adoption, and no attention. They are left behind, their lives ticking away behind metal gates in overcrowded, under-resourced facilities.
The sweet dog in this image is also at he same shelter Ares found himself in. There was no escape for this beautiful Kangal mix, or the other dogs there. Nobody will come for them & its heart breaking.
A Call to End the Cycle
This is why Dog Desk Animal Action is supporting Turkish animal advocates & calling for a moratorium on dog breeding in Turkey.
As long as shelters remain overcrowded and dogs are suffering en masse, it is both irresponsible and unethical to continue adding more puppies to the population.
Call to Action
Ares was given a second chance—but thousands of others are still waiting.
📢 Join us in demanding an end to irresponsible dog breeding.
📲 Help us raise awareness—share our videos and messages to give every dog a voice.
📲 Support our trusted partners on the ground in Turkey, notably @ibrhmkaayaa on X who features in this blog post videos.
🐾 Support our new sanctuary project by sharing our dogs or sponsoring one of them at https://dogdeskanimalaction.com/the-eden-dogs/
A special word of thanks to animal advocate & our dear friend Mr Ibrahim Kaya for his tireless work on the ground in Turkey.