This week, Turkey implemented a new law imposing severe restrictions on pet ownership, making it nearly impossible for citizens to adopt stray animals. Under this regulation, individuals living in older buildings (with 5 to 15 apartments) can only adopt if every neighbor provides written consent. In larger housing complexes with more than 15 apartments, which are common in Turkey’s major cities, adoption is outright forbidden. Additionally, the law limits the number of pets per household to three, with all animals being microchipped and registered in an official database. While these rules may suggest that adoption is still possible in theory, the reality is different: for most people, adopting a stray is now legally impossible.
The situation became even more dire when, last night, a new regulation was published in the Official Gazette, going into effect immediately. This regulation completely bans adoptions of stray animals, not just for individuals but also for private sanctuaries. From now on, all stray dogs—and even cats if deemed necessary—will be rounded up and confined indefinitely in public shelters, where overcrowding and lack of resources make survival nearly impossible. Unlike before, there is no longer an option for adoption from these shelters.
Additionally, the new regulation forces the shutdown of unregistered private sanctuaries, which had been crucial in rescuing animals after the February law took effect. Most of these sanctuaries were established as emergency efforts to save strays, but now, with no legal permit, they will be closed, and their animals will be forcibly taken. Even legally registered shelters are not spared: if they exceed government-imposed capacity limits, their animals will also be confiscated.
These new measures have triggered outrage among animal rights groups, which have described the situation as a disaster for Turkey’s strays. The result is clear: with adoption banned and shelters overcrowded, thousands of animals face a grim fate.
Now, more than ever, we need help. As one of the last remaining sanctuaries, we are doing everything we can to protect the animals in our care. But we cannot do this alone. Donations are critical to keeping our shelter running—providing food, medical care, and safety for those we can still save. Every contribution matters, whether through financial support, supplies, or spreading awareness of this tragedy.
