On the occasion of August 16, International Homeless Animals Day, Türkiye’s long-standing stray animal problem has once again come to the forefront. Veterinarian Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli stated that, according to the World Health Organization, homeless animals correspond to 10% of the human population. “In Türkiye, it is estimated that there are around 6.5 million stray dogs. Neutering is essential to keep the stray animal population under control,” she said.
Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli from the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Üsküdar University, addressed the issue of stray animals on the occasion of International Homeless Animals Day.
Homeless animals correspond to 10% of the human population
Drawing attention to the dangers that millions of animals on the streets face every day, Dr. Çevreli said:" While street animals struggle with health problems and hunger, they also face the risk of traffic accidents, mistreatment, and harm from some people. According to the World Health Organization, homeless animals make up 10% of the human population. In Türkiye, it is estimated that there are around 6.5 million stray dogs. Neutering is essential to keep the stray animal population under control."
Exotic pets struggle to survive after being removed from their natural habitat
Defining a pet as an animal domesticated and trained by humans, and a stray (or homeless) animal as one without shelter, or found outside the boundaries of its owner’s or guardian’s home and property, and not under the control or direct supervision of any owner or guardian, Dr. Çevreli said: "Essentially, any animal that is not a member of a domesticated species such as a dog or cat falls under the definition of an exotic pet. These include tigers, lions, and jaguars, spider monkeys, chimpanzees, various species of turtles, parrots, and snakes, all of which are taken from their natural habitats and forced to struggle for survival."
Uncontrolled breeding causes rapid increase in stray animal numbers
Noting that the street animal population problem in Türkiye has persisted for a long time and is not taken seriously as a major issue, Dr. Çevreli said: "The main reasons for this problem include uncontrolled breeding, abandonment, and insufficient care and protection for stray animals. Uncontrolled breeding causes the number of stray animals to rise rapidly. In addition, pets abandoned by their owners are forced to survive on the streets, contributing to the increase in street animal numbers. Moreover, pets acquired on a whim and later abandoned also play a significant role in the growth of the stray population."
Adopt, don’t shop…
Pointing to the importance of adopting stray animals, Asst. Prof. Burcu Çevreli continued: "Adoption of stray animals takes place in three ways. The first is when people see an animal on the street, feel affection for it, and decide to open their homes to it. The second, which we see more often in our industrialized cities, is the free adoption of animals through local government shelters or via private organizations. Although legislation requires local governments to encourage the adoption of animals from temporary shelters, there is no prohibition against other institutions, organizations, or even individuals facilitating adoptions. The third method is through purchasing animals. In the system known as ‘buying adoption,’ especially for rare species, the process often turns into a profit-driven trade. Instead of being a part of animal trafficking and similar harmful practices, we call on people to extend a hand to our four-legged friends waiting with hope in shelters. After all, they are not commercial goods, but life companions. They are not gifts, but friends. They are not toys, but living beings."
Neutered animals should be monitored in the wild
Dr. Çevreli noted that neutering and rehabilitation are fundamental strategies used worldwide to control stray animal populations: "Neutering eliminates an animal’s ability to reproduce, thereby reducing the rate of population growth. Rehabilitation is an important process for treating illnesses, healing injuries, and enabling animals to interact safely with humans. In our country, the ‘catch–neuter–release’ method is applied for controlling the population of stray domestic animals. However, animals are not monitored after being released back into nature. It is important that this post-release process is managed in a healthy and controlled manner."
Animal breeding should be regulated for a permanent solution
Dr. Çevreli also stated that the number of shelters is insufficient, neutering efforts are inadequate, and there are shortages of personnel and resources: "However, according to the legislation, it is clear that stray animals cannot be kept in shelters permanently. For a permanent solution, animal breeding must be regulated and ultimately prevented. Only in this way can the animal population be brought under control. Issues such as housing, nutrition, health, and protection from physical and psychological abuse must be addressed for stray animals. They must also be registered."
Animals are living beings capable of feeling pain
Pointing out that the cognitive functions of stray animals living alongside humans are not as developed as those of the human species, Dr. Çevreli concluded:"Despite these underdeveloped functions, animals are living beings capable of feeling pain. These creatures, who can experience pain but cannot express it as humans do, must be remembered as beings in need of protection and care, as their reasoning abilities are not at the same level as humans."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)