Turkey aims to relocate all stray animals to shelters by year‑end

Governor Aydın Baruş of Erzurum highlighted the need for timely intervention in managing stray animals, noting that the province operates a network of shelters with a capacity for about 1,900 animals and that no serious injuries or deaths have been reported from stray‑animal incidents. He emphasized coordination between municipalities and rapid response to citizen reports via the 112 emergency system.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi reported that 83 % of stray animals nationwide have been collected and placed in shelters or natural habitats. He said all stray animals have been gathered in 51 provinces with local administrations, reaching 100 % coverage there, while 30 metropolitan areas have achieved a 74 % collection rate. Specific city figures range from 99 % in Ankara to 27 % in Diyarbakır. The minister stressed that, although the law allows work until 2028, the goal is to complete the relocation by the end of the year, acknowledging slower progress in some large municipalities.