Kangal Dog Club of America

Respectfully Dr. Numan Kurtulmuş Bey,

And Members of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye

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We write to you with profound urgency.

 

On July 29, 2024, the Turkish Parliament passed amendments to the Animal Protection Law that mandate the removal of free-roaming dogs from the streets and their placement in shelters, with provisions that risk widespread euthanasia. As the Board and members of the Kangal Dog Club of America, we respectfully urge you to reverse or significantly amend this legislation and instead pursue truly humane and effective solutions.

 

Free-roaming dogs and cats are a familiar and often cherished part of daily life in many countries, including Türkiye. For centuries, the Turkish people have shared their streets, neighborhoods, and communities with these animals in a spirit of coexistence and compassion.

Animal welfare organizations worldwide, along with concerned citizens and veterinary professionals, are calling on Türkiye to halt any mass killing of stray animals. This is not only about protecting animal lives — it is a reflection of our shared ethical responsibility and humanity.

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Killing is not a solution.

 

It is inhumane, inefficient, and fails to address the root causes of stray populations. Reports from Turkish animal advocates describe severe overcrowding and inadequate conditions in many shelters, raising serious concerns about animal suffering. Moreover, the Turkish Veterinary Medical Association has confirmed that a well-implemented Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) program is substantially more cost-effective in both the short and long term than mass sheltering and euthanasia.

 

Experience from countries around the world shows that humane, evidence-based management works. Large-scale sterilization programs, combined with responsible sheltering and adoption efforts, have successfully reduced stray populations while minimizing suffering. Türkiye has 1,403 municipalities. If each one sterilized just four animals per day, the stray dog population could be brought under control within a year — without resorting to killing healthy animals.

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Türkiye’s proud tradition of compassion.

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For hundreds of years, the Turkish people have demonstrated kindness toward free-roaming animals. Previous Turkish law wisely supported the Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return approach, which has proven humane, practical, and beneficial to Türkiye’s international image as a compassionate nation.

 

Unfortunately, the recent amendments fail to address key drivers of population growth, such as irresponsible breeding and the unregulated trade of animals. They also do not strengthen penalties for animal cruelty.

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A call to compassionate leadership.

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We respectfully call on the members of the Grand National Assembly to reverse this law and adopt proven, humane alternatives:

 

• Comprehensive, nationwide sterilization and vaccination programs

• Investment in well-managed, properly resourced shelters focused on rehabilitation and adoption

• Stronger enforcement against animal abandonment, illegal breeding, and cruelty

 

By choosing compassion over cruelty, Türkiye can protect both public safety and its rich cultural heritage of living harmoniously with animals. Your leadership today can ensure that innocent stray and free-roaming dogs and cats continue to be cared for by their human neighbors, preserving a kinder, more ethical future for all.

 

We stand ready to support humane efforts in any way possible and urge you to act swiftly in the interest of both animals and Türkiye’s global reputation.

 

Thank you for your attention and moral leadership.

 

With hope and solidarity,

 

Babette Turk

President, The Kangal Dog Club of America

On Behalf of

The Kangal Dog Club of America Board and Members

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