18.07.2026 19:11
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi announced that 92.35% of stray animals across Turkey are kept in shelters and natural habitats. Speaking after his inspections in Kocaeli, the Minister stated that the goal is to collect all street animals and place them in shelters by the end of the year.
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that 92.35% of stray animals across Turkey are now sheltered in facilities and natural habitats, adding, "We have accelerated our efforts. Our goal is to collect all animals from the streets and place them in shelters and natural habitats by the end of this year, ensuring their care, adoption, and well-being."
STATEMENT FROM MINISTER ÇİFTÇİ ON STRAY ANIMALS
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi arrived in Kocaeli for a series of visits and inspections. Çiftçi visited the Şehit Faruk Aslan Police Center in Gebze and the Çayırköy Highway Gendarmerie Station in İzmit. After planting saplings in the station garden, Minister Çiftçi later inspected the Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality's Temporary Care Home for Stray Animals. Speaking there, Minister Çiftçi recalled that a legal regulation was enacted in 2024 regarding stray animals, saying, "The previous practice of releasing collected animals back into natural habitats after sterilization and treatment has been changed. It has now been transformed into a system of collect, treat, sterilize, and keep in shelters or natural habitats. Kocaeli Metropolitan Municipality has established a very nice shelter and natural habitat here, covering an area of 180 acres. Currently, 6,500 animals are kept here in natural habitats and shelters. Twelve veterinarians and a total of 85 people work here. During my field visit, I observed that conditions are quite good and animal welfare is being ensured."
"OUR GOAL IS TO COLLECT ALL STREET ANIMALS BY THE END OF THE YEAR"
Minister Çiftçi stated that 92.35% of stray animals across Turkey are now kept in shelters and natural habitats, using the following words: "When evaluated for Turkey, as you know, this effort started on March 15, 2025. Initially, it began in 51 provinces with special provincial administrations. Then, in July, it was expanded to our metropolitan cities. Work in 30 metropolitan cities started as of July. As of now, 92.35% of stray animals across Turkey are kept in shelters and natural habitats. We have accelerated our efforts.
Our goal is to collect all animals from the streets and place them in shelters and natural habitats by the end of this year, ensuring their care, adoption, and well-being. In this way, our streets, areas, squares, and parks become safer, and we also improve animal welfare. We also rescue animals from the mercy of people or the streets.
Here, animals are sterilized, treated, and fed. As I learned today, over a thousand animals have been adopted from here. I also call on animal lovers. Those who wish can apply to our Metropolitan Municipality to adopt the animals here and take care of them."