Millions of homeless dogs at risk of being euthanized in Turkey

Millions of homeless dogs are at risk of being euthanized in Turkey following the passage of a new bill by the Turkish parliament. The new law has sparked strong reactions, and Project 1882 condemns the parliament’s decision.

Today, the Turkish parliament passed a law allowing the euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats that are sick or display “negative behavior”. The law also mandates the immediate collection of animals without owners. According to the new legislation, municipalities must build animal shelters by 2028. However, Project 1882 argues that these shelters will likely be insufficient to handle the large number of homeless animals.

– It is deeply concerning that Turkey has passed this law. Instead, the focus should be on sustainable solutions such as spaying, neutering, and rehoming the animals, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

The legislation has been met with widespread protests and demonstrations across the country. However, Turkey’s government has threatened mayors with imprisonment if they do not comply with the new law. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims that the mass culling is necessary to prevent a rabies epidemic.

– We hope that Turkey listens to its citizens and animal rights organizations worldwide. The animals living in homelessness deserve a chance at a new home, says Benny Andersson.

A similar event occurred in 2022 when Turkey aimed to gather and euthanize the country’s homeless dogs. Project 1882 condemned this proposal and sent a letter to the Turkish embassy. Once again, Project 1882 appeals to stop the mass killings and instead focus on spaying, neutering, and rehoming the dogs.

Today, the Turkish parliament passed a law allowing the euthanasia of homeless dogs and cats that are sick or display “negative behavior”. The law also mandates the immediate collection of animals without owners. According to the new legislation, municipalities must build animal shelters by 2028. However, Project 1882 argues that these shelters will likely be insufficient to handle the large number of homeless animals.

– It is deeply concerning that Turkey has passed this law. Instead, the focus should be on sustainable solutions such as spaying, neutering, and rehoming the animals, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

The legislation has been met with widespread protests and demonstrations across the country. However, Turkey’s government has threatened mayors with imprisonment if they do not comply with the new law. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims that the mass culling is necessary to prevent a rabies epidemic.

– We hope that Turkey listens to its citizens and animal rights organizations worldwide. The animals living in homelessness deserve a chance at a new home, says Benny Andersson.

A similar event occurred in 2022 when Turkey aimed to gather and euthanize the country’s homeless dogs. Project 1882 condemned this proposal and sent a letter to the Turkish embassy. Once again, Project 1882 appeals to stop the mass killings and instead focus on spaying, neutering, and rehoming the dogs.

Support our work

We make a difference

Project 1882 strives for a world where every life matters. By supporting our work, you help make that vision become a reality.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/1882/donation

Support our work

We make a difference

Project 1882 strives for a world where every life matters. By supporting our work, you help make that vision become a reality.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/1882/donation

Nanna Thydén

Politics

With effective campaigns and political advocacy, Project 1882 makes a difference globally for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst.

Dogs

Animals living with humans should be treated as beloved family members according to the needs of the animals. Project 1882 urges everyone thinking of sharing their homes with animals to adopt homeless individuals from shelters or organisations.

Project 1882 supports urgent evacuation efforts for animals in Ukraine

In May 2024, renewed Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region in Ukraine forced people to leave their homes, resulting in many animals being abandoned, frightened, and lost on the streets. Project 1882, in partnership with Kharkiv Animal Rescue, has stepped in to support efforts to evacuate around 400 animals in the area.

At the beginning of May 2024, a new attack by Russian troops on the Kharkiv region began, forcing people to leave their homes for the second time and seek refuge, as in 2022. This attack affected the small town of Vovchansk and nearby towns and villages, leaving Vovchansk almost deserted after intense shelling. People evacuated with few belongings, many taking their companion animals. However, many animals also ran away, got lost, and became too frightened to trust humans, complicating evacuation efforts.

Volunteers in Vovchansk are working tirelessly to rescue as many animals as possible, responding to owners’ requests to find lost companion animals and evacuate stray animals. Despite their efforts, the resources are insufficient, with many animals still needing evacuation and limited safe places to relocate them. The ongoing danger of shelling also poses a direct threat to the volunteers’ lives.

– Many animals are lost and in urgent need of our help. While the evacuation is challenging, it is essential, and Project 1882 will continue to help evacuation missions to ensure a safe evacuation of animals in Ukraine, says Hanna Tereshko, Director of Project 1882 Ukraine.

Project 1882 has stepped in to provide financial support for these missions, covering one full month of operations or 20 evacuation missions. Partnering with Kharkiv Animal Rescue, which has the necessary transport and volunteers, Project 1882 aims to save around 400 animals, with each mission rescuing approximately 20 animals.

The joint project has only just begun, and continued support is needed for further evacuations, safe placement of animals, and resources for their ongoing care. The issue of adopting these rescued animals into new homes also remains crucial.

At the beginning of May 2024, a new attack by Russian troops on the Kharkiv region began, forcing people to leave their homes for the second time and seek refuge, as in 2022. This attack affected the small town of Vovchansk and nearby towns and villages, leaving Vovchansk almost deserted after intense shelling. People evacuated with few belongings, many taking their companion animals. However, many animals also ran away, got lost, and became too frightened to trust humans, complicating evacuation efforts.

Volunteers in Vovchansk are working tirelessly to rescue as many animals as possible, responding to owners’ requests to find lost companion animals and evacuate stray animals. Despite their efforts, the resources are insufficient, with many animals still needing evacuation and limited safe places to relocate them. The ongoing danger of shelling also poses a direct threat to the volunteers’ lives.

– Many animals are lost and in urgent need of our help. While the evacuation is challenging, it is essential, and Project 1882 will continue to help evacuation missions to ensure a safe evacuation of animals in Ukraine, says Hanna Tereshko, Director of Project 1882 Ukraine.

Project 1882 has stepped in to provide financial support for these missions, covering one full month of operations or 20 evacuation missions. Partnering with Kharkiv Animal Rescue, which has the necessary transport and volunteers, Project 1882 aims to save around 400 animals, with each mission rescuing approximately 20 animals.

The joint project has only just begun, and continued support is needed for further evacuations, safe placement of animals, and resources for their ongoing care. The issue of adopting these rescued animals into new homes also remains crucial.

Bottom

Bottom

Support us

Help the animals in Ukraine!

Project 1882 works globally to make a difference for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst. Help us with our work in Ukraine.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/1882/donation

Support us

Help the animals in Ukraine!

Project 1882 works globally to make a difference for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst. Help us with our work in Ukraine.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/1882/donation

Nanna Thydén

Ukraine

In Ukraine, animal rights issues have been a low priority for a long time, even before the war started. Project 1882 aims to change this by supporting both short-term and long-term interventions, such as evacuating animals affected by the war, and advocating for phasing out cages in the Ukrainian egg industry.

Dogs

Animals living with humans should be treated as beloved family members according to the needs of the animals. Project 1882 urges everyone thinking of sharing their homes with animals to adopt homeless individuals from shelters or organisations.

Project 1882 has funded a successful campaign to vaccinate 350 dogs in Ukraine

Project 1882 recently launched a new initiative in Ukraine. Intending to bring about lasting change for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst, Project 1882 now has supported a successful vaccination campaign for homeless dogs.

This winter, Project 1882 has supported an extensive effort to vaccinate dogs in Ukraine, in partnership with the Kharkiv Animal Rescue organization. The campaign, which ran between December and January, resulted in 350 dogs being vaccinated in the Kharkiv region.

Project 1882 donated funds to cover the cost of vaccines, sterilization, medical treatment and other necessary care measures for the animals rescued from the war. The vaccinations are still ongoing, even after the end of the campaign, and several of the dogs are now ready for adoption.

– We are very happy to have been able to carry out this vaccination campaign in an area affected by war. Our work is a step in the right direction to create a better future for the animals in Ukraine, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

In Ukraine, animal rights issues have been a low priority for a long time, even before the war started. Project 1882 therefore supports both short-term and long-term interventions, including disaster responses and support for Ukrainian volunteer groups working to help animals directly affected by the war.

– Project 1882 will continue to engage in international animal rights initiatives, and we look forward to continuing to support similar projects in the future, concludes Benny Andersson.

This winter, Project 1882 has supported an extensive effort to vaccinate dogs in Ukraine, in partnership with the Kharkiv Animal Rescue organization. The campaign, which ran between December and January, resulted in 350 dogs being vaccinated in the Kharkiv region.

Project 1882 donated funds to cover the cost of vaccines, sterilization, medical treatment and other necessary care measures for the animals rescued from the war. The vaccinations are still ongoing, even after the end of the campaign, and several of the dogs are now ready for adoption.

– We are very happy to have been able to carry out this vaccination campaign in an area affected by war. Our work is a step in the right direction to create a better future for the animals in Ukraine, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

In Ukraine, animal rights issues have been a low priority for a long time, even before the war started. Project 1882 therefore supports both short-term and long-term interventions, including disaster responses and support for Ukrainian volunteer groups working to help animals directly affected by the war.

– Project 1882 will continue to engage in international animal rights initiatives, and we look forward to continuing to support similar projects in the future, concludes Benny Andersson.

Support us

Help us help the animals in Ukraine!

Project 1882 works globally to make a difference for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst. Help us in our work!

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/donation/int

Support us

Help us help the animals in Ukraine!

Project 1882 works globally to make a difference for the animals that are the most exploited and suffer the worst. Help us in our work!

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/donation/int

Nanna Thydén

Ukraine

In Ukraine, animal rights issues have been a low priority for a long time, even before the war started. Project 1882 aims to change this by supporting both short-term and long-term interventions, such as evacuating animals affected by the war, and advocating for phasing out cages in the Ukrainian egg industry.

Dogs

Animals living with humans should be treated as beloved family members according to the needs of the animals. Project 1882 urges everyone thinking of sharing their homes with animals to adopt homeless individuals from shelters or organisations.

Project 1882 to SAS: "Stop sending puppies to their death through animal testing”

It has recently been revealed to the public that Scandinavian Airlines, SAS, promotes animal testing by transporting a large number of puppies, and other animals, to animal testing facilities around Europe. Project 1882 has urged SAS to stop transporting animals that are intended to be used in agonizing animal experiments.

Support us

Help us help the animals used for animal testing!

Project 1882 works for a world where every life matters. By supporting our work, you help make that vision become a reality.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/donation/int

Support us

Help us help the animals used for animal testing!

Project 1882 works for a world where every life matters. By supporting our work, you help make that vision become a reality.

Donate

https://act.project1882.org/donation/int

– The animals that SAS are transporting to these animal testing facilities are being sent to their deaths. SAS has the capability to say no and refrain from transporting animals to laboratories, just like other responsible transport and travel companies have already done, says Benny Andersson, CEO of Project 1882.

Unethical animal testing exists all around Europe where dogs, among other animals, are subjected to painful chemical testing and are being kept in barren cages and deficient environments. Project 1882 urges SAS to take responsibility for the animals' well-being and not turn a blind eye to the fact that they are involved in cruel animal experiments, as long as they allow these transports. SAS needs to work towards ensuring that agonizing animal experiments and long-distance transportation of animals are consigned to the past, instead of continuing to support it.

Examples of companies that, unlike SAS, have stopped transporting animals to testing and experimental facilities includes FedEx, UPS and British Airlines.

Michaela Lindquist

En bild på Michaela Lindquist, pressansvarig hos Djurens Rätt

Animal testing

Since 1882, Project 1882 has been working for the replacement of animal testing. We push for politicians to invest more money in non-animal research and for both Sweden and the EU to adopt action plans to phase out animal testing - once and for all.

Dogs

Animals living with humans should be treated as beloved family members according to the needs of the animals. Project 1882 urges everyone thinking of sharing their homes with animals to adopt homeless individuals from shelters or organisations.

Dogs

Latest news