Greece killed street dogs and cats prior to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Other countries have done similar. Turkey has always been on my bucket list but not anymore. This past March, I went to Egypt - the wonders of ruins going back 4-5,000 years was overshadowed by hungry stray dogs and cats wandering through the ruins - and that will always be part of my memories. Tourism is a major contributor to the Egyptian economy - and yet, there are homeless, starved animals all over.
And yet - I know it can happen here - here being the US and most specifically NYC, the wealthiest city on earth. Why? Because those in power do not care - same in Egypt and Turkey -- only if the results of their non action with animals hits them in the pocketbook, will they do something.
This Friday, there will be a hearing by the Health Committee that oversees the NYC Animal Care Center (city pound.) There are ten council members on the Health Committee and one (maybe) cares about this issue. And that's questionable. None of the others do - I know this from dealings with them.
I've decided not to go but to submit my testimony on line. Why? Because by the time the public has a chance to "testify" - the only person left is the Chair (she has to stay) And you are allowed two minutes. They can't get rid of the public quickly enough.
But I don't give up. We can't. Thanks for writing about Turkey -- In Defense of Animals was supposed to have a demonstration someplace in NYC but they did not identify the location. Badly organized.
As Laura Moretti/Animals Voice used to say - Keep Fighting the Good Fight!
Thank you, Elizabeth. It's disheartening to hear about the challenges faced by stray animals in various countries, including Greece, Egypt, and now Turkey. The impact on tourism and the memories of visitors, as you mentioned, highlights the broader implications of neglecting animal welfare. Your commitment to advocating for change, even when faced with bureaucratic hurdles, is truly inspiring.
It's unfortunate that the voices of those who care deeply about these issues are often sidelined in official settings. However, your decision to submit testimony online ensures that your perspective is still heard. It's crucial to keep pushing for humane solutions and holding those in power accountable.
Let's continue to support organizations and individuals working tirelessly to make a difference, and as Laura Moretti said, "Keep Fighting the Good Fight." Your dedication is a beacon of hope for the animals and a reminder that change is possible with persistent effort.
Thank you Elizabeth!! I know your frustration and feeling overwhelmed.
Being in animal welfare, rescue and rehab for literal decades, it does give you pause as to the lack of interest in so many that are supposed to be the ones to get things accomplished to make this world a better place for all animals.
I have found over the last 20 years, individuals are the ones that exact change. Small, private shelters run by caring folk who know trying to get any help from larger 501C3 groups is mostly a fools errand.
My small shelter is operated and funded by my husband and me. We thought once to maybe become a non profit but upon further investigation, seemed fraught with too many fingers in the pie and opted to keep ourselves private.
I too, have limited over the decades to not travel to destinations in certain countries because of their record on animal welfare and neglect.
One such “vacation” to a country I will not name, left us trying to get an animal out that we came across in a bad way. The trip turned into a rescue and finally getting him out after we had to stay an extra several weeks.
A street dog we named Scooby who thrived with us for another several years here in Colorado.
That was it for us.
The donkey rides, camel rides around the Great Pyramids was going to be a destination but not any more.
Culling never works, though it is common in many countries. The vacuum left allows females to have larger litters, with more young surviving, since food is more plentiful. The rabies issue can be addressed by manual vaccination of owned animals and the use of rabies vaccine-laced bait. This has been used in Florida as bait dropped by aircraft for raccoons and fox in hot spots. The cultural beliefs are deeply rooted and will only be modified over time. This is also a fact in other areas of animal welfare concerns such as animal fighting and canned hunts.
Melissa, as usual, you raise excellent points about the ineffectiveness of culling and the potential for increased reproduction due to the vacuum effect. I appreciate your suggestion of using rabies vaccine-laced bait as a proven method, like in Florida, to address rabies concerns. It's true that cultural beliefs play a significant role and change gradually over time. Your perspective highlights the importance of considering sustainable and humane solutions in animal welfare. Let's continue advocating for these approaches together!
About 3 weeks ago I got a message on my WhatsApp regarding a dog who was left behind in a village about 300 K from Istanbul. His fate was dubious because he was just a pup…4 months old.
I have a friend who operates a small shelter in Istanbul. I contacted her thru another friend who also manages a rescue in Türkiye. She told me that her volunteers would be too afraid to travel to rescue the pup due to this new edict.
They feared retribution.
Thankfully the person who found the pup, took him in for his safety.
This mode of managing street dogs and cats is nothing new. My friends in Azerbaijan, Romania and Bosnia Herzegovina, Egypt also observe acts of cruelty and violence towards street dogs and cats in order to “cull” the numbers.
The only thing saving some of these animals are small, run on a shoestring, shelters who get money from donors here in the US, UK and western European citizens.
A better way has to be put in place. Culling is categorically NOT the answer for overpopulation. Not only because it’s barbaric on its face but, as you stated, Ed, leaving behind a trail of unintended consequences.
If we as the world want to go forward, these countries must seek out help to prevent unwanted animals.
For goodness sake, we are one quarter of the way into the 21st century!! It’s past time we find humane methods for countries and the problems they have for too many animals.
Thank you, Eizabeth! It's heartening to hear about the efforts made to rescue the pup, and it's a relief that the person who found him was able to provide safety. Your note highlights the challenges faced by small shelters operating on limited resources and the fear of retribution under the current policies. It's concerning to see similar issues of cruelty and violence towards stray animals in other countries as well.
I completely agree that culling is not the answer. It's crucial to implement humane and sustainable solutions like sterilization, vaccination, and community education to address the root causes of overpopulation. As you mentioned, we are well into the 21st century, and it's time for countries to adopt more compassionate methods. Let's continue advocating for these changes and supporting the shelters and organizations working tirelessly to protect these vulnerable animals. Thank you for your dedication and for raising awareness about this important issue.
The situation is not without its irony... The people of Turkey honor and respect the strays, especially the cats. So much so, it seems, that the situation has gotten out of hand forcing the government into a knee-jerk reaction. I'm hoping that by bringing attention to the situation the government will come to realize there are more humane solutions available.
There's a movie that I went to see in theatre, which is probably on NetFlix or other streaming service right now, called, "Kedi." It's about the Turkish people's love and devotion to their street cats. They do talk about ways to deal with the overpopulation in the documentary as well. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4420704/)
Thank you, Squizz, for recommending this marvelous film. I have had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with the producer, Ceyda Torun, a few years back. It is especially sad to see what is happening in Turkey today in light of this remarkable film.
Greece killed street dogs and cats prior to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Other countries have done similar. Turkey has always been on my bucket list but not anymore. This past March, I went to Egypt - the wonders of ruins going back 4-5,000 years was overshadowed by hungry stray dogs and cats wandering through the ruins - and that will always be part of my memories. Tourism is a major contributor to the Egyptian economy - and yet, there are homeless, starved animals all over.
And yet - I know it can happen here - here being the US and most specifically NYC, the wealthiest city on earth. Why? Because those in power do not care - same in Egypt and Turkey -- only if the results of their non action with animals hits them in the pocketbook, will they do something.
This Friday, there will be a hearing by the Health Committee that oversees the NYC Animal Care Center (city pound.) There are ten council members on the Health Committee and one (maybe) cares about this issue. And that's questionable. None of the others do - I know this from dealings with them.
I've decided not to go but to submit my testimony on line. Why? Because by the time the public has a chance to "testify" - the only person left is the Chair (she has to stay) And you are allowed two minutes. They can't get rid of the public quickly enough.
But I don't give up. We can't. Thanks for writing about Turkey -- In Defense of Animals was supposed to have a demonstration someplace in NYC but they did not identify the location. Badly organized.
As Laura Moretti/Animals Voice used to say - Keep Fighting the Good Fight!
Thank you, Elizabeth. It's disheartening to hear about the challenges faced by stray animals in various countries, including Greece, Egypt, and now Turkey. The impact on tourism and the memories of visitors, as you mentioned, highlights the broader implications of neglecting animal welfare. Your commitment to advocating for change, even when faced with bureaucratic hurdles, is truly inspiring.
It's unfortunate that the voices of those who care deeply about these issues are often sidelined in official settings. However, your decision to submit testimony online ensures that your perspective is still heard. It's crucial to keep pushing for humane solutions and holding those in power accountable.
Let's continue to support organizations and individuals working tirelessly to make a difference, and as Laura Moretti said, "Keep Fighting the Good Fight." Your dedication is a beacon of hope for the animals and a reminder that change is possible with persistent effort.
Thank you Elizabeth!! I know your frustration and feeling overwhelmed.
Being in animal welfare, rescue and rehab for literal decades, it does give you pause as to the lack of interest in so many that are supposed to be the ones to get things accomplished to make this world a better place for all animals.
I have found over the last 20 years, individuals are the ones that exact change. Small, private shelters run by caring folk who know trying to get any help from larger 501C3 groups is mostly a fools errand.
My small shelter is operated and funded by my husband and me. We thought once to maybe become a non profit but upon further investigation, seemed fraught with too many fingers in the pie and opted to keep ourselves private.
I too, have limited over the decades to not travel to destinations in certain countries because of their record on animal welfare and neglect.
One such “vacation” to a country I will not name, left us trying to get an animal out that we came across in a bad way. The trip turned into a rescue and finally getting him out after we had to stay an extra several weeks.
A street dog we named Scooby who thrived with us for another several years here in Colorado.
That was it for us.
The donkey rides, camel rides around the Great Pyramids was going to be a destination but not any more.
Culling never works, though it is common in many countries. The vacuum left allows females to have larger litters, with more young surviving, since food is more plentiful. The rabies issue can be addressed by manual vaccination of owned animals and the use of rabies vaccine-laced bait. This has been used in Florida as bait dropped by aircraft for raccoons and fox in hot spots. The cultural beliefs are deeply rooted and will only be modified over time. This is also a fact in other areas of animal welfare concerns such as animal fighting and canned hunts.
Melissa, as usual, you raise excellent points about the ineffectiveness of culling and the potential for increased reproduction due to the vacuum effect. I appreciate your suggestion of using rabies vaccine-laced bait as a proven method, like in Florida, to address rabies concerns. It's true that cultural beliefs play a significant role and change gradually over time. Your perspective highlights the importance of considering sustainable and humane solutions in animal welfare. Let's continue advocating for these approaches together!
About 3 weeks ago I got a message on my WhatsApp regarding a dog who was left behind in a village about 300 K from Istanbul. His fate was dubious because he was just a pup…4 months old.
I have a friend who operates a small shelter in Istanbul. I contacted her thru another friend who also manages a rescue in Türkiye. She told me that her volunteers would be too afraid to travel to rescue the pup due to this new edict.
They feared retribution.
Thankfully the person who found the pup, took him in for his safety.
This mode of managing street dogs and cats is nothing new. My friends in Azerbaijan, Romania and Bosnia Herzegovina, Egypt also observe acts of cruelty and violence towards street dogs and cats in order to “cull” the numbers.
The only thing saving some of these animals are small, run on a shoestring, shelters who get money from donors here in the US, UK and western European citizens.
A better way has to be put in place. Culling is categorically NOT the answer for overpopulation. Not only because it’s barbaric on its face but, as you stated, Ed, leaving behind a trail of unintended consequences.
If we as the world want to go forward, these countries must seek out help to prevent unwanted animals.
For goodness sake, we are one quarter of the way into the 21st century!! It’s past time we find humane methods for countries and the problems they have for too many animals.
It’s not complicated!!
Thank you, Eizabeth! It's heartening to hear about the efforts made to rescue the pup, and it's a relief that the person who found him was able to provide safety. Your note highlights the challenges faced by small shelters operating on limited resources and the fear of retribution under the current policies. It's concerning to see similar issues of cruelty and violence towards stray animals in other countries as well.
I completely agree that culling is not the answer. It's crucial to implement humane and sustainable solutions like sterilization, vaccination, and community education to address the root causes of overpopulation. As you mentioned, we are well into the 21st century, and it's time for countries to adopt more compassionate methods. Let's continue advocating for these changes and supporting the shelters and organizations working tirelessly to protect these vulnerable animals. Thank you for your dedication and for raising awareness about this important issue.
Ed, I'm afraid I'm a bit oblivious to this issue, but not surprised. Did notice however that the animals in the photos don't appear to be starving.
The situation is not without its irony... The people of Turkey honor and respect the strays, especially the cats. So much so, it seems, that the situation has gotten out of hand forcing the government into a knee-jerk reaction. I'm hoping that by bringing attention to the situation the government will come to realize there are more humane solutions available.
No!
There's a movie that I went to see in theatre, which is probably on NetFlix or other streaming service right now, called, "Kedi." It's about the Turkish people's love and devotion to their street cats. They do talk about ways to deal with the overpopulation in the documentary as well. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4420704/)
Brilliant! Thanks!! Will check it out.
Thank you, Squizz, for recommending this marvelous film. I have had the pleasure of meeting and collaborating with the producer, Ceyda Torun, a few years back. It is especially sad to see what is happening in Turkey today in light of this remarkable film.