WHERE ARE THE DOGS?
A street dog in Türkiye

THE WORLD MUST DEMAND ANSWERS.

WHERE ARE
THE DOGS?

In 2024 Turkiye sentenced its 4 million dogs to death.

As the world prepares to gather in Antalya for COP31 we demand justice and accountability for this atrocity.

ANIMAL PROTECTION · TRANSPARENCY · ACCOUNTABILITY

CAMPAIGN PARTNERSHIP

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS

Click the link to view their latest updates about the community dogs of Türkiye, send their letter and access their resources.

TAKE ACTION WITH IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS ↗

THEIR LIVES MATTER
THEIR SUFFERING MATTERS
THEIR FATE MUST NOT BE HIDDEN

As the world gathers in Türkiye for COP31, millions of community animals face an uncertain future under Law No. 7527

In July 2024, the Turkish Government changed its approach to street animal population management, moving away from the previous capture-neuter-vaccinate-return (CNVR) approach towards widespread collection and confinement.

Reports from across Türkiye describe dogs killed in horrific circumstances, appalling shelter conditions, mass graves and alleged cases of animals buried alive.

These are not faceless statistics. They are sentient beings who lived alongside people, were cared for and loved by local communities.

As Türkiye prepares to host COP31 in Antalya, the international community must confront the evidence and demand accountability.

ROUNDED UP
TORTURED
KILLED

Reports from Türkiye raise serious concerns about capture operations, shelter conditions, animal deaths and alleged live burials

01

CAPTURE & ABDUCTION

Municipal teams reportedly used steel tongs, wire snares and tranquilizer darts to remove dogs from the communities where they were born and cared for.

Puppies, elderly dogs and healthy animals were reportedly placed in crowded vehicles, raising concerns about injuries and inhumane handling.

02

INSIDE MUNICIPAL SHELTERS

Reports describe overcrowded concrete pens, exposure to extreme weather, inadequate bedding and concerns about access to food and clean water.

Independent inspections and transparent veterinary records are urgently needed.

03

DISEASE & NEGLECT

Overcrowding and inadequate veterinary care can create serious animal welfare and public health risks.

Vaccination records, treatment protocols and mortality figures must be independently examined.

04

DEATHS & MASS GRAVES

Reports of mass graves and alleged cases of animals buried alive demand proper forensic and independent investigation.

Authorities must provide transparent information about animal deaths and the handling of remains.

THE CAPACITY GAP

Estimated street dog population vs. municipal shelter capacity

CAPACITY ANALYSIS

Estimated street dog population

4,000,000 Dogs targeted by the policy

Municipal shelter capacity

105,000 Available places

Capacity gap

3,895,000 Places below the estimated population

POPULATION VS CAPACITY

Illustrative scale
Street dog population 4,000,000
Shelter capacity 105,000
Capacity gap 3,895,000
!

THE INFRASTRUCTURE QUESTION

If the estimated population is 4 million and stated shelter capacity is 105,000, available capacity represents approximately 2.6% of that population. This raises urgent questions about implementation, animal welfare and the fate of dogs removed from the streets.

SUSTAINABILITY
ON STAGE
ANIMAL SUFFERING
IN THE SHADOWS

A sustainable future requires transparency, accountability and respect for animal welfare

01

SUSTAINABILITY MUST MEAN ACCOUNTABILITY

World leaders will gather in Antalya to discuss a sustainable future. They must also address the treatment of community dogs and demand transparent answers.

02

ONE HEALTH: ANIMAL HEALTH IS PUBLIC HEALTH

Human, animal and environmental health are connected. Humane population management, veterinary oversight and disease prevention matter.

03

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

Reports of animal deaths, burial sites and poor shelter conditions demand independent investigation, including potential environmental risks.

04

THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY MUST ACT

We call on COP31 delegates, governments and international organisations to demand transparency, independent investigations and accountability.

TAKE ACTION
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Sign the petition, contact decision-makers and share the campaign

ACTION 01

SIGN THE PETITION

Add your voice to the call for transparency, animal protection and accountability in Türkiye.

SIGN THE PETITION ↗
ACTION 02

SEND A DEMAND LETTER

ACTION 03

TAKE ACTION — SHARE ON SOCIALS

Do not let COP31 greenwash this crisis. Share the campaign and help more people understand what is happening in Türkiye.

ACTION 04

VISIT MUNICIPAL SHELTERS IN ANTALYA

COP31 delegates, observers and visitors can consult the campaign's shelter map and information about relevant locations in Antalya.

Please verify access arrangements and local requirements before visiting any facility.

ANTALYA SHELTER MAP ↗

GET IN
TOUCH

We welcome inquiries from press, media organisations, COP31 delegates and observers, and members of the public.

FOR JOURNALISTS & MEDIA OUTLETS

The campaign can provide further information about its evidence dossier, including legal documentation, shelter-related records, photographic material and eyewitness accounts.

SEND AN INQUIRY

A community dog

WHERE ARE
THE DOGS?

COP31 must not look away. The world must demand answers.

SIGN THE PETITION ↗