Turkish Cities Launch Advanced Health Services for Street Animals

Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has opened a Central Sterilization Unit at the Pako Shelter, adapting hospital‑grade sterilisation processes for veterinary use. The system sterilises all surgical instruments, lowers infection risk and reduces unnecessary antibiotic use, marking one of the first such facilities in Turkey. Veterinarian Mehmet Uysal highlighted that the clean‑room model mirrors human healthcare standards, improving safety for both animals and staff.

Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality’s mobile unit, Can Dost, has travelled through 20 districts, providing free veterinary care to approximately 18,000 street animals. The team, led by veterinarians Serhat Meşe and Ahmet Başaranel, performed health checks, parasite treatments and rabies vaccinations, most recently assisting about 50 cats in Burhaniye. The initiative aims to improve the living conditions of stray animals across the province.