World Rally for the Stray Animals in Turkey
Date: 4 October 2008, World Animal Day

We gathered here today to protest in strongest terms possible the mistreatment of stray animals in the Republic of Turkey.

Turkey has a long history of systematic, well-documented and widespread cruelty toward stray animals. Already, the country has been blacklisted by countless animal welfare organizations around the world. Thousands have canceled their visits to Turkey for the very same reason, and the number of individuals doing so is increasing by the minute.

Stray animals’ right to life has been guaranteed under Turkish laws enacted four years ago. Any form of cruelty to stray animals constitutes a punishable offence in Turkey since then. Yet their misfortune continues irrespective of the law. Often, they find themselves buried in mass graves or removed to deserted locations to suffer a slow death due to starvation and dehydration. In fact, it is the public authorities of Turkey themselves who routinely violate the law and administer these brutal practices.

At this hour, animal rights defenders around the world have gathered to demand the very same.

4 October 2008 World Animal Day marks a fresh beginning for the stray animals in Turkey. Today is Turkey’s final chance to demonstrate that it is a rule of law state, and to start implementing its own animal protection laws enacted by its democratically elected parliament.

Animal rights activists in Turkey are as of today supported by a new global coalition dedicated exclusively to monitoring the situation on the ground. Should Turkey fail to show any progress or good will in the field of animal rights with immediate effect, a campaign will be initiated for Turkey to be excluded from all international cultural, sporting and similar events, including all activities funded by the European Union.  

And the clock has started ticking right now.

Worldwide Rally, for the Street dogs of Turkey