Recent Amendment to Türkiye’s Animal Protection Law

For centuries, the people of Türkiye have lived alongside free-roaming dogs and cats with notable tolerance and compassion. These animals have long been woven into the fabric of the country’s streets, neighborhoods, and daily life. To manage their populations, Türkiye adopted a Catch–Neuter–Vaccinate–Return approach. However, unethical breeding practices and institutional shortcomings have contributed to a significant increase in the number of stray dogs.

In response, on July 29, 2024, the Turkish Parliament passed amendments to the Animal Protection Law mandating the removal of free-roaming dogs from public spaces and their placement in shelters. Although intended to address safety and population concerns, the law has, in practice, led to widespread and well-documented suffering among these animals. In light of these outcomes, the Kangal Dog Club of America has issued a formal position statement opposing the 2024 amendments to Türkiye’s Animal Protection Law and contacted the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye to make our position known.

Link to position statement HERE