Why Adopt From Türkiye?
With the new law approved by parliament, the lives of millions of animals living on the streets in Türkiye are now at risk. The Turkish government approved the 17-article "Proposed Law on Amendments to Law No. 160 on the Protection of Animals" on July 30, 2024, and it was published in the Official Gazette after becoming law. Thus, August 2, 2024, was the day the law became effective.
There are still numerous unanswered problems regarding the implementation of the strays ordinance, despite its passage and subsequent becoming law, which sparked popular uproar. After receiving medical attention or sterilization, street animals were allowed to return to the streets as per the Animal Protection Law. Taking animals from the streets for any reason other than to put them through a sterilization or medical procedure was a crime. The "collect, vaccinate, and sterilize, then return" procedure, however, is no more thanks to the new rule.
According to a new law voted by Parliament, shelters will be responsible for collecting and caring for all strays until they are adopted. Local governments must establish shelters and improve current conditions no later than December 31, 2028. The government contended that the existing legislation was inadequate since it failed to implement the "collect, vaccinate, sterilize, and return" premise. Many groups contend that this rule cannot be enforced without resorting to mass slaughter of animals.
The current capacity of Türkiye's 322 shelters is 105,000, while the government claims that there are 4 million strays. This figure casts doubt on the veracity of assertions that this regulation will safeguard animals instead of causing their extinction. The inability to construct sufficient shelters to meet this demand is a common refrain by both opposing lawmakers and professional groups. Even if we succeeded, it would still be "impossible" for shelters to house millions of canines in a hygienic environment. Most towns have neglected their responsibilities to operate shelters and collect animals for regular sterilization, despite the fact that this rule has been in force since 2004.
The scenario over the past 20 years has led animal rights groups to assume that towns will not be able to offer healthy conditions for 4 million dogs in 4 years. Opponents of the legislation further claim that it will lead to the slaughter of many dogs and is therefore impractical to enforce. The article controlling this condition contains terms that are "vague and open to interpretation," which critics say makes it seem as though all stray dogs will be collected and murdered regardless of whether the law says so or not. Dogs who "pose a threat to the life and health of humans and animals, whose negative behavior cannot be controlled, that have infectious diseases, or that are prohibited from being owned" may be put down by a veterinarian or someone working under their supervision, according to the relevant article.
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With the situation in Türkiye as it is, you are in the right place to save a dog whose life is in danger and change its life forever. You can find all the answers to your questions on this site. Thank you for your support.
You may find some news and articles regarding the new massacre law here:
Turkey's stray dogs find homes abroad after new law to clear them off streets - by Ezgi Erkoyun and Ali Küçükgöçmen, Reuters
Turkey approves ‘massacre law’ to remove millions of stray dogs - by Associated Press in Ankara, The Guardian
Turkey Passes ‘Massacre Law’ to Remove Stray Dogs From Streets - by Anna Gordon, Time
Turkey to fully enforce stray dog cull law, interior minister says - by Daniel Bellamy, Associated Press, Euronews
Turkey approves law to remove stray dogs from streets. Opposition vows to fight the ‘massacre law’ by Andrew Wilks and Suzan Fraser, Associated Press
Turkey’s plan to remove stray dogs is inhumane. There’s a better way - by Sam Delgado, Vox