Turkey’s Homeless Dogs Find Families in Other Countries

A law that recently passed in Turkey requires the country's four million stray dogs to be impounded, or put in animal shelters. The legislation aims to place all strays into city shelters by 2028.

Supporters of the law, which passed in July, say it aims to prevent dog attacks, road accidents, and the spread of rabies.

But critics say the law may lead to many dogs being euthanized, or killed. Animal lovers, activists and organizations are working to find homes for Turkey's street dogs, including homes overseas.

Animal rights activist Nilgul Sayar runs a shelter for dogs near Istanbul. She has sent hundreds of dogs overseas for adoption. She said demand for international dog adoptions has jumped since the law passed.

"We have around 20 to 25 dogs ready to fly," Sayar said. "People continue to reach out to us (for adoption). I hope we will send more dogs soon. They will all have good homes."

It can take up to four months to get a dog ready to travel to the European Union with the necessary paperwork and vaccinations. And it can cost over $1,100.

Sayar said it often takes years to find homes for the large, old and disabled dogs that make up the majority of the animals in her shelter.

Dali and Deezi used to be stray dogs living on the streets of Istanbul. They were caught and put in Sayar's shelter. But today, Dali and Deezi live in the Netherlands, where they enjoy a comfortable life.

"We wanted to support these dogs and find loving families abroad," said Ali Okay, who volunteered to fly with them from Turkey to Belgium. The animals were later taken to the Netherlands by the non-governmental organization Animal Care Projects.

Dog shelters across Turkey can currently hold around 100,000 animals. Cities are to build more shelters to meet the requirements of the new law.

Thousands of Turks have protested against the law in recent weeks. Stray dogs and cats can be seen in streets across Turkey. They are loved and cared for by many people. Large stray dogs sometimes sleep in shop doorways, with people gently stepping around them.

In response to the new law, some companies are adopting strays for their offices. One hotel on the coast built a dog shelter to introduce them to foreign visitors. Some animal doctors are offering free vaccinations when people choose to adopt animals from the streets.

Turkey used to trap and neuter dogs and then return them to the streets. Critics of the new law say dog numbers would have been under control if that policy had been carried out.

Dali is now in a foster home in the Netherlands awaiting adoption. Deezi is settling into her new home and is calm and happy, said new owner Caroline Dieleman.

Dieleman was mourning the death of one of her dogs in June. When she heard about Turkey's new law, she decided to rescue Deezi.

"The new law makes me feel sick physically but also powerless," said Dieleman. "This was a little thing I could do...it is one dog only, from how many dogs. But one is better than none."

I'm Ashley Thompson.

The Reuters news agency reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for VOA Learning English.

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stray –adj. not belonging to anyone or having a home

adoption –n. a process in which a family takes someone else, usually a child, but the term is used for animals too, to legally become part of their family

gently –adv. done in a careful, soft or light way

response –n. the result of or answer to an action, rule or question

neuter –v. to remove the reproductive glands of an animal so it cannot reproduce