New Regulations for Stray Animals
The 17-article ‘Law Proposal on Amendments to the Animal Protection Law’, which was accepted by the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) on July 30, has brought important regulations regarding stray animals. Within the framework of this new law, stray animals will be taken to animal shelters by the relevant municipalities, rehabilitated there and housed in these facilities until they are adopted.
In this context, Gaziantep Zoo authorities have built a Natural Life Park with feeders, waterers, cooling pools and kennels on an area of 100 acres. With the new law, dogs whose treatment and care have been completed have entered the adoption process through social media accounts.
Dogs Are In Touch With Nature
Turkey’s first natural habitat, established within the Burç Nature Park, was specially designed for street dogs. In this area, there are feeding points, kennels, porches to meet the dogs’ needs, pools for them to cool off on hot days, sandpits for stress control and play areas. The street dogs, who live under the supervision of their caretakers, live a life intertwined with nature here and await the adoption process.
Social Media Support
Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality Natural Life Park Manager Celal Özsoyler reminds that before the new law, they took stray dogs, treated them and released them back to the areas they were found. However, with the new regulation, they ensure that these animals remain in their natural habitats and stated that social media accounts provide great support for adoption processes. Özsoyler made the following statements: “With the new law, we take stray dogs to our shelters, perform their health checks, neuter animals and provide care for them here. All social needs of the have been considered in the 100 thousand square meter natural Habitat we have prepared within the Burç forests. There are a sufficient number of kennels, feeders and waterers in this area, and pools have been created for them to cool off in hot weather. We currently have 250 dogs here and we share photos of ours. dogs whose care has been completed on our social media accounts and carry out adoption processes.”
No Euthanasia or Sleeping Practices
Özsoyler stated that some issues in the new law were misunderstood and emphasized that practices such as euthanasia or putting to sleep were definitely out of the question. Stating that their first aim was to adopt stray dogs or provide them with comfortable living spaces, Özsoyler said, “When a report is received, our teams immediately take action. If the animal is injured or sick, it is taken by ambulance and treated. Animals that regain their health are brought to our natural habitat and continue their lives here. Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely no practice such as euthanasia or putting to sleep. Here, dogs and cats that have been fully cared for are housed in their. natural habitat until they are adopted.”
