Last Christmas I was fortunate to be able to spend a few weeks with Ahmed prior to the Big Move. Ahmed had managed to secure a winter job caretaking and providing security for a resort hotel. I was a little sceptical even then that Ahmed would receive payment for this job but I kept my own counsel; however, I should mention that he never actually did, which is one of the reasons that he has travelled to Maras this year to spend the winter working in a factory alongside his brothers. The average Turkish monthly wage is about 700 Turkish lira which at today’s exchange rate is approximately £241 or $388, but frequently it is a lot less and that is for a six or seven-day working week. Last winter with no money to pay the electricity bill, his sisters-in-law had to sell their treasured wedding rings in order that their family could light and heat the house.
Many Turkish lads who flock to the resorts to earn money as bar boys during the tourist season frequently work seven days a week and whilst provided with meals and a roof over their heads often return to their villages empty-handed at the end of the season, when the wages which they have been promised by the unscrupulous bar owners fail to materialise. Unsurprisingly, towards the end of the season burglaries and bag snatches become all too commonplace as many young Turks feel that they cannot return home without providing their family with some financial contribution.
Also thrown out onto the streets will be the puppies that the bars adopted during the summer to lure tourists into their premises.
They will be left to fend for themselves, dodging stones thrown, traffic and other adult, territorial ownerless dogs, for which they will be ill prepared. The animal shelter in Altinkum, Didm Dog Shelter and Akbuk Dog’s Trust are government-run and only provide shelter for the street dogs whilst they are waiting to be neutered, when they will also have an ear tag, an anti-rabies vaccination and then they are released back onto the streets. Most “street dogs” have at some time been a pet and abandoned when their owner’s circumstances have changed. For those of us with much-loved pets, it is inconceivable that we would desert our friends when they are most vulnerable. In fact, all government funding has now been withdrawn from the one in Akbuk with immediate effect; what do you do with the animals left behind in these hopeless circumstances? Forget Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and the amazingly equipped ones you see on all the television programmes, this is Turkey; the facilities are at best basic and their resources incredibly limited. Whilst there is a small band of dedicated volunteers that do sterling work trying to find them homes both in Turkey and back in the UK, alongside the mammoth task of raising funds.The funds raised will provide cleaning materials such as bleach, feeding bowls, milk for puppies, blankets, medication including parasite treatment.
Many Tears Animal Rescue & Turkish Street Dogs
Whilst I love living in Turkey, I think it is fair to say that there are some aspects which sadden my heart. Animal welfare will always be one and deceitful greedy bar owners are another.
This is so incredibly sad. I hope many, many readers in the UK receive this post and help adopt these poor animals. It always seems to go hand in hand with human greed. Just shocking!
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I knew when I wrote it how you would feel about it and I hope they get the loving homes they so deserve too
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Thank you for describing these sad issues. It’s painful to know about this but the more people realise this, the more chance there is of things changing – I hope.
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I think so too particularly I think its important sometimes to look behind the facade of the resorts in which people spend their vacations. I do love Turkey but its not all sunshine and roses all the time
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I remember all the stray dogs and cats and being sad for them. most were incredibly friendly, and I have a little insight on why now from your post
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It’s a hard to fact to face when most of our pets at home are so well looked after, very few street animals in Turkey make it to the grand age of 3/4
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This is very interesting to read. When we were in Turkey last month, my son and I were really surprised at the large number of ownerless cats and dogs running free on the streets. Unlike feral cats and dogs in the US, which are very skittish, most of these were friendly. That they have been pets and are abandoned and lonely would explain that. Many have obviously been adopted by restaurant owners, but now that you mention it, we were lured into several places to eat because my son was amused by the many animals waiting for handouts. It is a very sad situation indeed. Maybe not as sad as young people who work hard and never get paid, or women who have to sell their wedding rings to heat the house. I am very sorry about that too.
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Turkey is such an amazing place to visit and live but there is a minority who are always going to look at making a quick buck on the back of the most vulnerable but that’s the same wherever you live in the world
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That’s for sure. It makes me sad to drive past the Home Depot and see workers without papers hanging around in the cold and wet waiting for someone to hire them on the sly and for really cheap wages for a remodel or construction job. I have heard that people sometimes have them do the work, and then refuse to pay them, threatening to call Immigration if they complain. It is really sickening and discouraging to think that this is not the way of the world, but the way of some people, and that it does happen all over the world.
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I had no idea. I’ve always wanted to visit Turkey. Perhaps when I do, I’ll need to take care to not support people who do such things. Namaste.
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merhaba! Turkey is a beautiful country and most Turkish people are the most amazing hosts but I think its fair to say it has a long way to go with its animal welfare policies
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Thanks!
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We noticed the same thing in Thailand. It’s so sad to see lean, hungry-looking dogs roaming the streets. Some of them are lucky enough to attach themselves to a restaurant, where they at least get scraps to eat. It’s so heartbreaking to see.
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Some of the bar & restaurant owners are really good but there are some that are just very ruthless and you’re right its very heartbreaking – you never see an old street cat or dog in Turkey
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It never ceases to shock and upset me that people can be so nasty to animals. Greece has come a long way in recent years, thank goodness, but still has a lot to learn about animal welfare. It was only a couple of years ago that it became a criminal offense to be cruel to animals; before that you couldn’t even report such cases to the police, they had no grounds to intervene!! How’s that for living in the dark ages? I think it has a lot to do with remainders of mentalities past, that animals are work tools and there to serve only a purpose. You see that in villages where up until recently they used donkeys for work. I’ve heard shocking stories which I can’t even repeat. Unfortunately it takes many generations for this mentality to change. We can only hope we’ll get there eventually.
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I think Turkey is way behind in the animal welfare stakes; it will change but as in all things it will take time
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Heartbreaking.
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I agree and it must be completely overwhelming at times for the volunteers that go to the shelter every day
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I made a donation and included a note that I heard about them from your blog. Thank you for both raising awareness of these issues but especially by including ways to help in your post. ❤ – Marla
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Marla you are every bit as amazing as I thought you were – I read your comment with a tear in my eye – bless you!
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Thank you for sharing this sad news. Perhaps it will help spread the word and get some of these good guys a loving home.
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I really do hope that there is someone out there reading this that can provide one of these lovely dogs with a home that they so desperately need – thank you for reading too!
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Thank you for highlighting these issues – so very sad…
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I agree its very tragic and sadly there must be days when it doesn’t seem fixable – but every little helps and lots of expats in the resorts do their bit by putting food out for some of the street animals although not all expats feel the same
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I’m an animal lover and I feel physically ill after reading this post. 😦 I so hope many of these poor animals can get relocated to loving homes in the UK.
Hubby and I live in a rural area, and there is no SPCA shelter or anything in our county. We had neighbors abandon puppies and their livestock for a while, and none of the law enforcement would do anything. Folks dump unwanted cats and dogs out in the country; some get adopted but most of them die.
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It’s survival of the fittest with the street animals in Turkey, so many and so few funds. I hope that the brave little band of Turkish Street dogs currently in Wales all manage to find homes too
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Spain is not far behind Turkey in the animal welfare stakes. There are, however, so many Brit expats active in animal welfare the situation is not so dire.
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And Thank God for those unsung heroes. Life would certainly be very bleak indeed for the street animals in Didim without a lot of the expats
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You have a heart of gold, dear Dallas. I commend you and all the rescue heroes and volunteers. 🙂 – Kaye
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My part is so very little in comparison with the volunteers at the Didim, who turn up every day to clean the kennels & walk the dogs. This is what Val Whyte wrote to me yesterday regarding the sadness that she and the other volunteers deal with daily “After 7 years here, I understand I cannot save them all. I concentrate on those I can help and shed a tear for those who I couldn’t. I treat the successes as great ‘highs’ and put aside the ‘lows’ as much as possible. I have thought many times that I could not continue, but who will be the voice of the voiceless at the shelter if I walked away? So many people do their bit in Didim, whether it be feeding/neutering out of their own pocket, the street cats – or feeding and caring for their local streets dogs. I know I am not alone and that gives me comfort and support” – humbling isn’t it! Thank God for them all and all the volunteers worldwide that strive every day to make the world a better place
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Aw jeez, what a sad story about these poor pups. 😦
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It is indeed Phil when you know how well looked after our own rescues pets are!
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I love dogs, and this post is so sad. We have a relative who works tirelessly to adopt out abandoned dogs before they are euthanized, and it is heartbreaking to see the dogs and not be able to take them in ourselves. I applaud all who work on behalf of these helpless animals. I was sorry to read about the workers who are taken advantage of, too. Thank you for sharing today.
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Nice to hear from you Maddie! It’s a sorry situation for all concerned and unless there are changes in Turkish legislation, it will not change. For my part, having several rescue animals in our family, if just one person reads this and can adopt one of the dogs or visits/shares their Facebook page, it will have been worth it.
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I spend a lot of time in Mexico — workers and animals are very much abused there too. We do what we can to help. One Mexican said his country needed another revolution.
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Do you think its ignorance or lack of compassion that drives others to this – maybe your Mexican friend had a point
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Ahhh Dallas, there’s so much sadness in this world. It’s particularly hard to see poor defenseless critters suffering with no understanding why they’ve been treated so cruelly.
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I don’t understand it myself, Gunta. Common decency & compassion should be something we are all born with
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I believe so much in animal welfare and have know about feral dogs and cats in parts of Europe for a long time but you have really brought it home to me. Will look at the site in Wales and if I can help I will. Thank you for bringing it to my attention and your so right when you said that there are always people that will make a fast buck at the expense of the vulnerable! x
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Take a look at the Didim & Akbuk shelter pages, the pictures will break your heart! Thank you for taking the time to look & comment – very much appreciated and if you can share their Facebook pages or the post all the better!
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A friend of mine who does rescue brought over 20 dogs back from Spain…. They were terrible no other word for them. She managed to turn them around and if you want to there is a pic of the worst one now all recovered call Akiria on my blog. I think its one the loch post but she is also in the cameo page and hell did my mate do good!
I wish I had the money to do the same ( I do take in feral cats here bit thats all) but I will help as much as I can and hope that one day countries will catch up with both human and animal care! Thanks again. Cris x
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I was wrong she is playing with my beagle in felt so rough again….. That one was a Skelton with absolutely no hair when rose brought her over. It’s all so sad isn’t it but when you see how well they have all done well that’s also brings a tear to the eye eh? x
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I’m just reading through them now and choking back the odd tear
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It’s a shame that people and animals are treated so poorly. I’m sure (or I hope) that people going to the bars and hotels would not enjoy their holiday so much if they knew that their fun is at the expense of others. I’m not sure how to solve this dilemma but you have certainly highlighted an important issue.
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It really is a case of behind the facade sometimes and I am sure that it’s not only Turkey that’s guilty of this
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This is unbelievably sad, and now I know why we saw so many stray dogs around Hagia Sophia while in Istanbul. Maybe you’ve heard about the American football quarterback Michael Vick who was sent to jail for abusing dogs in dog-fighting rings. In Kosrae, Micronesia, I saw wild dogs all over the place and they will attack because they’ve been beaten as puppies. How can people treat animals this way? It’s incomprehensible to me. Thank you for mentioning the shelters. I will see what I can do.
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Most of the street dogs are really friendly and rely on tourists and ex pats to feed them – the volunteers at the shelters in didim & akbuk really deserve a medal and try their best to provide the things that the government funding doesn’t provide – they’re the real heroes. I find dog fighting totally abhorrent and detest the sites advertising animals free as we all know where they will end up!
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I think it’s so disturbing with all those cats and dogs all over the world that are homeless and suffering – that will be abused and tortured. And all the children that lives on the street. I have really problems with handling it and if they show it on TV I can’t watch – my stomach turns. Very real and brutal post you done here, good on you!
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Thank you Viveka but this was the easy bit. I don’t get up every day even if I’m not feeling good and go to the kennels like the volunteers in Didim, clean out the kennels and walk the dogs despite knowing that in a few days the ones you have happily played with will be turned out on the street. I applaud their motivation because I think many of us would find that too hard
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Yes, I applaud them to – they dedicate their life to rescue animals and care for their wellbeing.
Their motivation is in their love for the defenseless and for the value of lives – my mum was one of them – she always said that she loves animals more than she loves people.
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Your Mum must have been an amazing woman and a good judge of character. The shelter in Didim would be miserable without the volunteers holding auctions, table top sales, dog walking, kennel cleaning, transporting dogs! You have to admire that kind of dedication – it takes a really good soul to be that selfless.
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I admire all selfless act’s. My mum are a fanastic woman and human being.
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Greece is extremely similar. No shelters, no one to call when you find a hurt animal (which we did – and it broke my heart that there was nothing I could do). I know there’s a program in Greece that’s like the Many Tears Animal Rescue, where they ship Greek dogs off to loving families.
And that is so sad to hear about the bar and resort owners! I had never heard of that, where they hire Turkish men and then never pay them. What a detestable practice!
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All too common in Turkey and I hope that one day we live in a world where cruelty is never acceptable but sadly that’s going to take a long time
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I like that you are using your experiences in Turkey to raise awareness. If you can’t be there you can still be doing something in the interests of the vulnerable. I feel sad for the abandoned and abused animals – if you can’t be kind don’t be anything at all at the very least… no matter how awful your own circumstances. And as far as the for workers who don’t get paid… how could you live with yourself knowing you are taking advantage and creating misery… but I know they do. Turkish problem yes. Global problem yes.
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Thank you for that and you’re right it is a global problem and whilst I can’t save the world, if it means that one person on here likes/shares their Facebook Pages or can re-home one of the dogs or sponsor a volunteer for their Xmas Day Dip in the Aegean, then it will be a good day for me!
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What a sad tale, it sometimes makes you feel ashamed to be human. But then you see the other side of the story. I’ve just looked at the Many Tears Animal Rescue website which you mentioned – Sylvia is an awesome lady and an inspiration to us all.
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So are the wonderful volunteers at Didim and Akbuk who fund all the things the government funding doesn’t provide (and that’s a lot) out of their own pockets. Their fundraising efforts include table top sales, auctions, xmas day swims – truly amazing people! And thank you for re-posting if Didim raises more funds maybe they can find homes for more like Leo, Twiggy & Lola.
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It´s good that you have highlighted this issue here. Heartbreaking to see though.
Sadly, whilst not quite as bad here in Spain, living in the countryside we look after a dog and two cats belonging to our Spanish neighbour, who has a little finca near us, but who actually lives in the village 6kms away. I dread to think what would have happened to the little mites if we hadn´t lived here 😦
Sadly, nearly all the expats we speak to have something similar.
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Exactly, thank heavens that you’re feeding his animals – it breaks my heart that we live in such a disposable society
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It’s such a heart-wrenching topic. I really wish people would go to animal shelters first and foremost to find pets and I hope that your post will ultimately lead to at least one rescue dog find the loving home they deserve.
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Absolutely, re-home shelter animals every time! And Hayley, I so hope you’re right that someone shares their links and these little guys get snapped up. One of the shelters tells me that “shares” of their pages has helped them re-home many of their animals – fingers crossed!
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What a great way to shine the light on an issue that needs to be, most definitely, talked about and brought to light. Hopefully some dog(s) will find a worth family . And Ugh in regards to the unscrupulous, under-handed, corrupted business dealings in so many places on this side of the globe – So frustrating.
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Living in Turkey is a bit like a duel-edged sword, I suppose like many other parts of the world. However, I’m hoping that someone somewhere sees this post, shares a link, attend one of their events or can offer a home to one of these superpups and it will have been a good afternoon’s work for me!
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I had absolutely no idea about this topic… Thanks so much for sharing. Heartbreaking and tragic doesn’t BEGIN to convey this tragedy. I’ll definitely be visiting the *Tears* link, and reposting on my FB pages… Just to share the knowledge. Thanks, again. Much love and light to all these wonderful people and beautiful critters.
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It is an absolute tragedy that people can abandon their family pets who have given years of loyalty to the streets without any thought for consequence.
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The neglect and abuse of animals is sadly replicated in many parts of the world – the flip side is the caring, generous, tireless people who strive to make things better are everywhere too 😉 Shouldn’t have to be necessary. The abuse of Ahmed and the young men by restaurant owners is shabby beyond belief 😦
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I know that you see so much of it as you travel country to country and you’re absolutely right without those dedicated individuals the situation would be even more hopeless.
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Such a sad story about Ahmed, his family, and the greedy bar owners and the poor dogs left to fend for themselves. I too loved Turkey, though I don’t live there (I was just a tourist), and I wish the best for the Turks because I fell in love with that country and the people. It’s probably my favorite place I’ve ever been. But it is sad to see the struggles that people (and animals) have. Thanks for sharing!
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Beyond a shadow of a doubt the laws need to change in Turkey. I love the country too but until those responsible realise that there will be a legal consequence to their actions, I don’t see that changing
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It’s all about good governance, isn’t it?
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It isn’t much better here either, but hurling a small defenseless puppy out of a balcony is just too much to comprehend! How can people be that cruel? This is a facet of Turkey that I was unaware of, but you are right, all societies have their warts. A heartbreaking post.
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I think what saddened many was that people just ignored its plight, I dread to think what would have happened if he hadn’t been brought to the shelter, unfortunately it was pts but humanely euthanised as its injuries were too severe but this was a better option than prolonging this little guy’s suffering.
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Many of the British ex-pats I’ve come across (particularly in Spain) are the worse offenders of this .They get themselves a dog or a cat and then abandon it when their life changes and they decide to go back home or move to another country. I often wondered if these people would do the same with a baby.
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You are so right – the Didim Shelter facebook page is full of dogs that have been given up by ex pats relocating to other parts of Turkey and you share the same thoughts as many!
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Wish I could adopt them all.
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Me too! I think we’ve made a start with 4 rescue cats and a dog but we never quite know what my Dad will bring home next
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I think somebody above said Spain wasn’t far above Turkey when it comes to the dire state of animal welfare and I would have to agree. I didn’t really see stray dogs and cats wandering around Madrid, but when I lived in Malaga, Spain for three months, both my host mother’s dogs were in heat and used to wander away from the house to find male dogs to “have a good time.” Spaying/neutering dogs is very expensive to begin with and many dog owners won’t bother getting it done (we had it done on our dog when he was only a few months old). One of her dogs got pregnant and gave birth to a litter of puppies right before I left. The puppies were very cute, but then my host mother had the task to find homes for them since she couldn’t possibly keep them all since she already had two dogs.
Six months later, I returned to Malaga to visit and the same dog was pregnant again! I was flabbergasted.
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Can’t think how I missed this one! I know that in this country there are neutering vouchers that assist owners to have their pets spayed but sadly that doesn’t extend to the rest of the world – certainly, if it were my pet I’d get them spayed if only for their own health
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This is just so terribly sad. We work so hard in the US to convince people to spay and neuter. We have so many commercials through the media to ask for contributions and raise awareness. Then I read something like this, heartbreaking.
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Amen to spaying & neutering but sadly sometimes that just isn’t enough
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Seems there are only two kinds of people in this world; those with a heart of gold and those with a heart that’s cold! So sad. I am a vegan and I do not want to cause suffering to any animal when there is an abundance of plants on this planet.
If only we could eradicate cruelty and greed, like smallpox and the plague.
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I couldn’t have said it better myself!
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Rescue dogs make the best pets. Adopt, adopt, adopt!
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I second that!
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I had no idea this is happening in Turkey. Thanks for writing about it.
The Turkish govt should do more!
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Turkey is without doubt a very beautiful country but certainly has a long way to go in terms of animal welfare
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Being an expat (well sort of) I did think about getting a dog to love and care for. But you’re right, life is unsure and we don’t know where we’ll end up next. So, I decided against it. Cruelty against animals is rough on most of us and maybe you just found your new calling in life!! To save as many as you can! These days (with all the social media advantages) it should be possible to get (some) sponsoring for any of the existing shelters, or even start your own?
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One of the things they warn exchange students about is not to adopt a street kitten or puppy because they only end up back on the street when the student leaves and the animals are not prepared for street life. The street animals around my campus are numerous and food is left out on a regular basis for them. However there is much discussion in Istanbul about clearing the streets of these animals – it will be interesting to see what is decided. I think control of the street populations is necessary but not through killing them.
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Absolutely agree with that, I would have loved to adopt animals but our situation was far too precarious to consider offering a forever home. There was a change of legislation in Turkey recently about street animals but I think the public outcry made the government rethink their plans.
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What a tragedy, this brought a tear to my eye.
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Me too – don’t know how volunteers in animal shelters can still turn up every day knowing the heartbreak they will face and yet they still do it day in and day out! Unsung heroes!
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Oh, how sad… I have the biggest soft spot when it comes to animals (especially dogs) I’ve heard some really sad stories about dogs that were abandoned during Sandy too.. sigh.
I wish I could adopt a Turkish dog, they look so cute in the picture 🙂 But I already have two dogs and a house full of hair to prove it…
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We have a house full of rescue animals too and I hope that ones during Sandy are reunited with their owners and those that aren’t manage to find other loving ones. Having said that I’m sure my Dad would always find room for a little’un!
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sad one, D 😦
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I wanted to chronicle the other side of the tourist town after all nothing is completely perfect
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true 🙂 nothing ever is hugs I hate it when dogs and cats have a hard time
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