Turkey Has 6.5 Million Stray Dogs!

On the occasion of August 16 International Homeless Animals Day, Turkey's bleeding wound, the stray animal problem, has once again come to the agenda. Veterinarian Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli, stating that according to the World Health Organization, homeless animals correspond to 10 percent of the human population, said, "In Turkey, approximately 6.5 million stray dogs are estimated to exist. Sterilization is essential to keep the stray animal population under control."

Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli from the Physiology Department of Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, addressed the stray animal problem on the occasion of August 16 International Homeless Animals Day.

Homeless Animals Correspond to 10 Percent of the Human Population

Highlighting the dangers faced daily by millions of creatures on the streets, Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli said, "Street animals struggle with health problems and hunger, while also facing the risk of traffic accidents, mistreatment, and harm from some people. According to the World Health Organization, homeless animals correspond to 10 percent of the human population. In Turkey, approximately 6.5 million stray dogs are estimated to exist. Sterilization is essential to keep the stray animal population under control."

Exotic Pets Are Torn From Their Natural Habitat and Struggle for Survival

Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli noted that a pet defines animals that have been domesticated and trained by humans, while a stray animal (homeless animal) defines animals that have no shelter or are found outside the boundaries of their owner's or guardian's home and land, and are not under the control or direct supervision of any owner or guardian. She added, "Essentially, any animal that is not a member of a domesticated species like a dog or cat falls under the definition of an exotic pet. Those in this category, including tigers, lions, and jaguars, spider monkeys, chimpanzees, and various turtle species, parrots, and snakes, are torn from their natural habitat and struggle for survival."

Uncontrolled Breeding Leads to a Rapid Increase in the Number of Stray Animals

Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli stated that the street animal population problem in Turkey has been ongoing for a long time and has not been regarded as a serious issue. She said, "Among the main causes of this problem are uncontrolled breeding, abandonment, and insufficient care and protection for stray animals. Uncontrolled breeding leads to a rapid increase in the number of stray animals. Furthermore, the struggle for survival on the streets by pets abandoned by people contributes to the rise in the number of street animals. Additionally, pets acquired on a whim and then abandoned by people also play a significant role in the increase of street animals."

Dr. Burcu Çevreli also explained that the desire to own non-traditional "pets" fuels the international and often illegal trade of wildlife. She stated, "Many animals sold into the pet trade are caught from the wild, where they began living freely, often using cruel and inhumane methods. They are typically placed in small containers or cages for transport, and in some cases, they cannot breathe or move."

Don't Buy, Adopt…

Dr. Burcu Çevreli also touched upon the adoption of street animals and continued as follows:

"The adoption of street animals appears in three ways. The first is when people open their homes, wanting to love and adopt an animal they see on the street. The second, more commonly encountered in our industrialized cities, is the free adoption of animals from municipal shelters or through private organizations. Although legislation requires local governments to encourage the adoption of animals in temporary shelters, there is no prohibition against other institutions, organizations, or even individuals facilitating adoptions. The third is through the purchase of animals. For 'Don't buy, adopt,' especially for rare animal species, instead of becoming complicit in animal trafficking and other related issues within this system that has virtually turned into a commercial profit motive, there is a call to extend a hand to our pawed friends waiting hopefully in shelters. Indeed, they are not commercial goods, but life companions. Not gifts, but friends. Not toys, but living beings."

Sterilized Animals Should Be Monitored in Nature

Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli also noted that sterilization and rehabilitation are fundamental strategies applied worldwide to control the stray animal population. She said, "The sterilization process reduces the rate of population increase by eliminating animals' reproductive capabilities. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, is an important process for treating diseases, healing injuries, and enabling animals to interact safely with humans. In our country, the 'trap-neuter-release' method is applied for the population control of stray domestic animals. The process after animals are released into nature is not monitored. It is important to manage the post-release process in a healthy manner."

Animal Production Must Be Controlled for a Permanent Solution

Dr. Çevreli also stated that issues such as insufficient shelter numbers, inadequate sterilization efforts, and a shortage of personnel and resources have been identified. She added, "However, it is clear that according to regulations, street animals cannot be kept in shelters permanently. For a permanent solution, animal breeding must be controlled and animal production prevented. The animal population can be controlled in this way. Problems of shelter, nutrition, health, and physical and psychological violence for street animals must be resolved. Stray animals should also be registered."

Animals Are Living Beings Capable of Feeling Pain

Lecturer Dr. Burcu Çevreli concluded by pointing out that while the cognitive functions of street animals, who continue their lives alongside humans, are not as developed as those of the human species, "Despite these immature functions, animals are living beings capable of feeling pain. It should not be forgotten that these animals, who can experience pain but cannot express it like humans, are in need of protection and care due to their reasoning abilities not being at the same level as humans."