Istanbul Governorship Clarifies Position on Stray Animals, Denies Claims of Policy Reversal
Istanbul, April 30, 2026 – The Istanbul Governorship has issued a comprehensive statement refuting claims circulating on various social media platforms and in the press regarding a supposed policy retreat on stray animals. These allegations emerged following a meeting of the Provincial Animal Protection Board held today at the AFAD Istanbul Center. The Governorship explicitly stated that its efforts are being conducted strictly within the framework of Law No. 5199 on Animal Protection, and there has been no reversal or hesitation in its policy.
The official statement from the Istanbul Governorship highlighted the gravity of the issue, noting that stray animal attacks have, in recent years, led to the loss of dozens of lives and injuries to hundreds of citizens. It emphasized that this problem is evident to all rational observers. As the Istanbul Governorship, the authorities are committed to ensuring the diligent implementation of the obligations and practices mandated by law to resolve this pressing issue.
Significant Progress in Addressing the Stray Animal Issue
The Governorship reported significant progress in addressing this critical problem within Istanbul. It affirmed its continuous efforts to elevate the quality of life for its citizens, including in matters concerning stray animals. The statement stressed that there would be no complacency or policy retreat on this matter, and to prevent misunderstandings or manipulation, the decisions made during the Provincial Animal Protection Board meeting were shared with the public.
Key Decisions from the Provincial Animal Protection Board Meeting:
1. Allocation of Financial Resources for Shelters and Natural Living Areas: In accordance with the legislation, municipalities are required to allocate at least 50% of their mandatory financial resources for the construction of animal shelters and natural living areas, or for expanding the capacity of existing ones. Municipalities that have been allocated forest areas for these purposes must promptly take possession of these sites. Those with ongoing tender and construction phases must complete these activities without delay to bring the shelters and natural living areas into service.
2. Monthly Inventory and Data Submission: Municipalities are mandated to conduct monthly inventory studies on the number of stray dogs within their districts. These data must be submitted to the Istanbul Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP). Furthermore, to ensure the tracking of activities related to stray animals, all local governments in the province must submit the Stray Animal Monitoring Schedules, developed by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, to the Istanbul DKMP Directorate by the 5th of each month for entry into the HAYBİS database.
3. Completion of Natural Living Areas in Pendik and Tuzla: The construction of natural living areas belonging to Pendik and Tuzla Municipalities, which have already commenced, must be completed and put into service as soon as possible. Stray dogs from these districts will be gathered in these facilities.
4. Legal Sanctions for Non-Compliant Municipalities: Municipalities that have not allocated resources from their budgets for shelter construction and veterinary services, as required by relevant legislation (0.005% of the latest finalized budget revenues for municipalities, and 0.003% for metropolitan municipalities), and have not made expenditures, will be reminded of the legal sanctions they face.
5. Incentivizing Adoption in Organized Industrial Zones: Businesses in organized industrial zones will engage in incentive-based activities with municipalities and relevant institutions to promote the adoption of dogs from municipal shelters.
6. Measures Against Illegal Abandonment: Security and gendarmerie units will take measures to prevent municipalities or certain citizens from illegally abandoning stray dogs.
The Istanbul Governorship concluded by reaffirming its unwavering commitment to addressing the stray animal issue responsibly and effectively, ensuring both animal welfare and public safety in accordance with the law.
