Veterinarian Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli, stating that autumn and winter months bring the toughest test for animals living on the street, said, “A bowl of water, a handful of food… Saving a life is sometimes that simple.” Pointing to the measures to be taken for this winter, Dr. Çevreli added, “Municipalities should increase the distribution of shelters, citizens should be encouraged to build shelters, and food-water stations should be widespread. We must see stray animals not as creatures to be remembered in winter, but as a part of life.”
Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli from the Physiology Department of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Medicine evaluated what needs to be done for animals living on the street as cold weather approaches.
Only one out of 2 cubs survives!
Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli, drawing attention to the challenges faced by animals living on the street in autumn and winter, said, “A bowl of water, a handful of food… Saving a life is sometimes that simple. In Turkey, 30 percent of animals living on the street experience health problems due to hypothermia and hunger during winter months. Especially the survival rate of young cubs is below 50 percent.”
Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli, stating that autumn and winter months bring the toughest test for animals living on the street, said, “While we retreat to our warm homes, they struggle with snow, rain, and freezing cold. Hunger, thirst, and homelessness constitute the most painful face of stray animals’ struggle for survival.”
Sustainable policies should be produced instead of seasonal solutions
Dr. Çevreli reminded that some municipalities distribute shelters, provide food and water support, and even open temporary accommodation centers, adding, “However, the numbers are insufficient. A few hundred shelters remain merely symbolic in cities where thousands of animals live. Sustainable policies are essential instead of seasonal solutions.”
A safe, dry, and wind-protected spot should be chosen!
Pointing to what citizens can do for animals living on the street, Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli said, “Even placing a simple shelter in front of an apartment building, in a complex garden, or in a suitable corner of one’s home can save a life. Plastic boxes, styrofoam crates, or wooden shelters can be the greatest refuge for these creatures. The only condition: Choose a safe, dry, and wind-protected spot.”
Stating that stray cats and dogs develop various strategies to survive cold winter nights and rainy seasons, Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli said, “Especially stray dogs can form packs and gather together to share body heat. Cats may also seek proximity to other cats for warmth. Unowned animals often gravitate towards natural shelters like bushes, under bridges, or abandoned buildings to protect themselves from wind and rain. They can also find refuge in garages, sheds, or under porches where they can stay dry and warm.”
A drop of oil can be added to water bowls in cold weather…
Dr. Burcu Çevreli, also stating that water sources can freeze in cold weather, said, “Finding food becomes even more difficult. Therefore, regular food and water support is essential. Frequently checking water bowls and, if necessary, adding a few drops of oil can delay freezing. To prevent animals from fighting, food should be left in different places, not just one. Even with good intentions, incorrect feeding carries a vital risk. Salty, spicy foods, or raw bones harm animals. Food bowls should be kept hygienic, and leftovers should not be scattered around. Regularity is the most important criterion; an animal’s immunity weakens rapidly on a day it goes hungry.”
Hungry animals fall ill
Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli noted that upper respiratory tract infections in cats, and joint inflammations and hypothermia in dogs are common during winter months, adding, “Hungry animals get sick faster, and those that are dehydrated develop kidney problems. Cold doesn’t just cause a chill; it also opens the door to deadly diseases. Stray cats and dogs rely on a combination of instinct, behavior, and available resources to survive in cold and rainy conditions. Their adaptability plays an important role in their survival.”
Stray animals are not creatures to be remembered in winter, but a part of life
Pointing to the measures to be taken for this winter, Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli said, “Municipalities should increase the distribution of shelters, citizens should be encouraged to build shelters, and food-water stations should be widespread. For the future, comprehensive sterilization programs, municipality-NGO collaborations, and the creation of permanent living spaces for stray animals in urban planning are essential. We must see stray animals not as creatures to be remembered in winter, but as a part of life.”
Regular food, water, and shelter save lives
“Winter is at the door. The desperation in a cat’s eyes, the trembling body of a dog, actually tells all of us: We share the same world with you,” said Dr. Lecturer Burcu Çevreli, adding that their survival depends on our small but regular steps, and that a bowl of water, a handful of food, and a small shelter are the simplest forms of saving a life.