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Sahipsiz Hayvanlari Koruma Dernegi (SHKD) is a Turkish registered animal welfare association, working since 1998 in Turkey with the purpose of persuading central government and local authorities to solve Turkey’s stray dog problem effectively, humanely and permanently.
Street dogs cause road accidents and nuisance, wake residents at night, disturb rubbish, frighten children and cause complaints to municipalities. The sight of hungry, sick dogs foraging desperately for food, or of their dead bodies squashed on Turkey’s roads, is distressing to visitors and residents alike and tarnishes the country’s image as an applicant to the European Union.
Most of these miserable strays are potentially loyal, affectionate companions, pets and guard dogs. The problem is worse in Turkey than in many other countries because of the policies of previous governments that, from the Ottoman times, and until very recently, did not put enough emphasis on animal welfare, leading in many cases, senseless policies of animal killing.
If killing worked, the stray dog populations of Turkish towns would have been eliminated long ago.
It is time for a new beginning. We work to put together a well-structured and implemented nation-wide plan of Neuter and Return, implemented in partnership with the Turkish government. |
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