In Turkey, everyone imagines that street animals are well taken care of, loved, and protected.
When we visit many tourist spots in central Istanbul, we do see that many stray animals are loved and happy, thanks to some very kind people.
However, go outside these areas, and the shocking truth prevails.
Behind this facade, animals are being rounded up and placed in shelters where they either die slowly or are euthanized.
The new law stating that all street animals can be adopted is absolute rubbish. It is impossible for them to be adopted in such a short time, and many are unadoptable.
The government believes we will agree with this, but of course, many people know that they just want the animals off the streets.
Is it humane? No, absolutely not.
A mass sterilisation program needs to be in order.
The people hating the animals need to step up and help us sterilise, its a free programme, what is the excuse? Most people do not give a breath over the animals care but clearly shout and scream at them or us when we want to try and help with this sterilisation and care.
All the street animals need this; it’s the only way to stop this mass reproduction and misery.
The protests are a shout-out against all this cruelty and deceit. Over 25,000 people took to the streets in different districts of Turkey over the past weeks.
The most horrific, barbaric scene occurred in a place called Urfa, Turkey, where townspeople, like something out of an old movie, armed with pickaxes, sticks, and shovels, took to the streets to slaughter all the street cats and dogs. Some animals were buried alive, others were beaten and tortured to death. Yes, it’s true; the footage is like something out of a horror movie. What kind of people are these? Some people and rescuers came to help and rescue the animals. Some have been arrested. One lady who rescues animals is being held in jail, despite having young children, and there have been threats to burn down their houses. The truly insane people committing these atrocious acts are free!
We cannot post what we have seen. Some cannot even bear to look. It will scar you forever.
We have seen many videos and pictures of the worst things you could imagine.
We never imagined writing such things about a place I fell in love with. The treatment of animals and the plight of all the street cats were the main reasons I started Olmstead’s H.O.P.E. here.
It is the most disturbing situation, with a profound lack of care for these innocent souls.
More protests are expected to follow. This will not be the end of it. What a barbaric place it is for many animals behind the facade of happy tourism, and many people do not believe this could happen.
It’s really destroying our spirit, but somehow we manage to carry on.
We need your support and help to share this with the outside world.
Please share and use the hashtag #notourstokill.
Stop the slaughter of animals in Turkey by spreading awareness with the facts about what is really happening here.
For further information, please contact us directly. We will be happy to assist you with anything.
Do not stay silent, even if your voice shakes.
