Who do I contact if I am concerned about a dog or cat in Turkey?
There are various organizations apart from FDOT that might be able to help you. Many are regionally based so it depends where you are in Turkey. Search Facebook, but here are the major regional charities and associations:
https://www.facebook.com/KoycegizDogs/
https://www.facebook.com/TurkishAnimalRescueOrganisation/
https://www.petsinturkey.org/about-us
If you are concerned about an animal, there are several steps you can take to assist. First of all, try and get photos of it, this can help enormously with identification. If it’s a dog and you can get the ear tag number and colour (numbers can be duplicated across colours). Note down where you saw the animal, if possible take photos of the location – was the dog near a hotel or a particular road for example.
It may be worth asking the Hotel that you are staying at – some Hotel staff are willing to try to help you – but be warned others are not.
Can we feed the animals?
The simple answer is very much yes, the animals rely on being fed by locals and visitors all summer. For the benefit of everyone, please follow these simple tips on when and where to feed.
· Don’t encourage dogs or cats into restaurants or to beg at tables by feeding them there. If you have leftovers, ask the staff for a doggy bag and take the food away with you. You can then feed away from the restaurants and villas/apartments. Animals will wander into restaurants, especially those at street level, but please don’t encourage them. Many often just lie happily at your feet, but if they bother you, just ask a member of staff to shoo them away if you are not confident doing it yourself. Please be considerate of other diners, not everyone is happy to have animals around while they are eating.
· If you are staying in rented holiday accommodation, please don’t encourage the animals into the gardens, terraces or indoors. It is better to feed them outside on the street. Inviting animals in is not fair on the animal. It can quickly come to rely on you for food and you will be gone in a week or two. It is also unfair on the guests who will be staying there after you. They may not like animals coming in expecting to be fed, or worse, have allergies to them. This could include the property owner and/or the cleaning team too.
· Treats – dogs & cats can love treats, but don’t be offended if you buy or bring with you fancy dogs treats and some turn their noses up at them. Some simply don’t like fancy foods, preferring the table scraps. Don’t worry though, there are plenty who will love those Gravy Bones or Dreamies and other such delicious morsels, you will not find them wasted.
Should we provide water?
Yes! It gets hot, especially in summer, and dehydration can very quickly become a severe problem. If you have an old tub you can use do put water down, outside the property. You may find one has been left near the property you are staying in, please check and fill as often as possible. The more clean cool water that is available, the better it is for the animals.
Can I adopt a dog?
Yes but it an expensive process. For the dog to be rehomed outside Turkey you will need to find somewhere for the dog to live while it gets passport ready – this can take on average four months.
You would be wise to test the dog for Parvo virus, parasite infections, Leishmania and Distemper so that you know if the dog is healthy.
Travel to the UK with a reputable company can cost up to £1000
Preparing your dog
· Step 1 – Have your pet microchipped – Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
· Step 2 – Have your pet vaccinated – After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date.
· Step 3 – Arrange a blood test – After your pet has been vaccinated, it must be blood tested to make sure the vaccine has given it a satisfactory level of protection against rabies. The blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after vaccination. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is three calendar months from the date your vet took the blood sample which led to a satisfactory test result. The three month waiting period will not apply if your pet was vaccinated and blood tested in the EU and issued with an EU pet passport before it went to an unlisted country.
· Step 4 – Get pet travel documentation –You will need to obtain an official third country veterinary certificate.
· Step 5 – Tapeworm treatment– (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment. No treatment is required for dogs entering the UK from Finland, Ireland or Malta).
The full DEFRA information is available on their website link HERE