Before you press play, understand what you are about to see.
In August 2024, a new law was introduced in Turkey.
It was presented as a solution to remove stray dogs from the streets, place them into shelters, provide medical care, and move them towards adoption.
The timeline for full implementation was set to run until December 2028.
This reflected a known constraint: there are an estimated 4 million stray dogs, and not enough shelter capacity to house them.
The months since the law came into force have been devastating. In many areas, removal has outpaced capacity. Reports and field observations indicate:
overcrowded and substandard shelter conditions
lack of food and water
untreated disease and injury
inadequate protection from the elements
There have also been documented cases of direct abuse, including:
beatings
suffocation
poisoning
Current reported figure: 149,000 dogs dead in shelters.
This is not a completed policy outcome. It is an ongoing one.
Our work is ongoing. It is incredibly tough & challenging. The need has not slowed.
And neither have we.
Not liked as in ‘like’ but as an acknowledgement 💔