Following the approval of the controversial law in Turkey that removes millions of dogs off the streets, Turkey’s stray dogs are finding their forever homes in other countries.
In July of this year, the law, dubbed by animal rights activists as the “Massacre Law”, was approved despite the outpouring criticisms it received.
The law aims to remove Turkey’s stray dogs off the streets and for them to either be impounded or put in animal shelters.
However, animal rights activists believe that with the lack of resources and facilities, these dogs will only be put down.
Now, animal rights activists and organizations are doing their best to ensure that the stray dogs in Turkey get to live a life with loving owners in other countries.
In an interview with Reuters, animal rights activist Nilgul Sayar, who runs a dog shelter near Istanbul, reveals that she has successfully sent hundreds of dogs overseas for adoption.
She also reveals that the demand for international dog adoptions have skyrocketed ever since the law was passed.
Sayar tells Reuters, “We have around 20 to 25 dogs ready to fly. People continue to reach out to us (for adoption). I hope we will send more dogs soon. They will all have good homes.”
Sayar then shares the story of Dali and Deezi, two stray dogs who used to live on the streets of Istanbul, were caught, and later put in Sayar’s shelter.
Today, Dali and Deezi are living in the Netherlands, enjoying their second chance at a happy and comfortable life.
Ali Okay, a volunteer who flew Dali and Deezi from Turkey to Belgium, tells Reuters, “We wanted to support these dogs and find loving families abroad.”
Deezi’s new owner, Caroline Dieleman, said that she decided to adopt the pooch when she heard about Turkey’s new law.
“The new law makes me feel sick physically but also powerless,” said Dieleman. “This was a little thing I could do…it is one dog only, from how many dogs. But one is better than none.”
The process to get these dogs adopted can be long and tedious, but ultimately rewarding. It can take at least four months to get a dog ready to travel to the European Union with all the necessary paperwork and vaccinations – all of which can cost over $1,100.
In the US, the CDC also has strict requirements on importing dogs, especially from high-risk countries such as Turkey.
Fortunately, international adoption isn’t only the option that these stray dogs have.
Reuters report that the animal lovers and activists alike in the country are doing their best to save these beloved pooch.
Some companies have started adopting strays for their offices, some vets are offering free vaccinations for those willing to adopt animals from shelters, and a hotel has even built a dog shelter to introduce the dogs to tourists!
The Turkish government estimates that there are around 4 million stray dogs roaming the streets and rural areas of the country.
Owning a pet is a huge responsibility. And while many prospective dog owners, especially first-time owners, think they understand the depth of this commitment, it is often difficult for them to foresee the full range of such responsibility.
We believe that as dog owners, whether seasoned or new, being responsible for the overall well-being of a dog should be the forefront of every decision you make moving forward.
And responsible dog ownership doesn’t start when you get a dog. Making an informed decision and preparing yourself for the commitment that’s about to come is where it truly begins.
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And that’s why in honor of Responsible Dog Ownership Month, we’re here to help you make an informed decision on where and how to get a dog. This is also a great opportunity to help your reflect on what it truly means to provide a happy, healthy, and safe environment for your dog, especially for first-time dog owners.
If you’ve finally made the decision to add a furry friend to your family and into your home, now it’s time to determine what route to take – buying or adopting? This is one of the biggest dilemma for many prospective dog owners. And making a decision between these options isn’t easy.
So, in this article, we’ll discuss both options of buying and adopting dogs so you can consider all factors for an informed and responsible decision.
Knowing The Difference Between Buying And Adopting Dogs
The first step to making a decision between buying and adopting dogs is to know their main differences. Below, we’ll discuss just that.
Buying Dogs
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Buying dogs mean purchasing a dog from a reputable breeder, at pet stores, and/or online.
Many people who buy dogs are often those who want a puppy, and/or have their hearts set on specific characteristics such as breed, age, color, size, temperament, or pedigree, which can be difficult to find at a shelter.
Buying can be more expensive, since people who prefer to buy a dog want to own a specific breed of dog, which leads to buying one from a breeder, at the pet store, or online.
Additionally, purebred dogs or dogs from highly reputable breeders can be quite expensive. And then reputable breeders also charge additional fees, on top of the purchase price, for vaccinations, health checks, microchipping, spaying/neutering, and many more.
Furthermore, buying a dog is more time-consuming, because you need to thoroughly do your own extensive research about the breed and find a responsible, and ethical breeder where you’re getting the dog from.
Adopting Dogs
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Adopting dogs mean taking in a dog from an animal shelter, rescue organization, or even directly from a previous owner. These dogs are usually stray, abandoned dogs or dogs that need rehoming.
Unlike buying, adopting dogs involve a process that is focused on finding the most suitable home and owner for a dog.
So, when you adopt a dog, the organization or person where you’re adopting from will need to evaluate your lifestyle and also your ability to provide and take care of the pooch.
Adopting is not as expensive as buying. Because the adoption fee usually includes essential services such initial medical care, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, etc.
Furthermore, you might not have to do as much research as compared to when you buy a dog. Usually, shelters and rescue organizations have assessments of their dogs’ behavior and temperament. So, you have a generally good idea of what you’re getting into.
Pros & Cons: Buying vs. Adopting Dogs
Buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons. And making sure to reflect on these will help you make a choice the properly aligns with your lifestyle and your personal and ethical values.
Buying Dogs
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Are you leaning more towards the option to buy a dog? Use the following pros and cons to help you become more confident in your choice or give you insight into why adopting dogs might be better suited for you.
Adopting Dogs
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Have you decided that adopting dogs is something that speaks to you a lot better than buying dogs? Well, here are pros and cons to help you seal the deal.
Buying vs. Adopting: Which Is The Better Option?
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While buying dogs can provide you with a cute puppy, all the breed-specific characteristics you’re looking for, early training, it is a responsible dog owner’s responsibility to come to a conclusion with careful consideration of not only your lifestyle, but of larger issues such as the impact on animal welfare and other ethical concerns.
On the flip side, adopting dogs is not only compassionate but also an ethical choice. It saves lives, reduces costs, and positively contribute to animal welfare organizations. However, it still does come with its own challenges.
While both buying and adopting dogs have their own pros and cons, prospective dog owners should do their due diligence before choosing any of the options presented.
Furthermore, we want to encourage prospective dog owners to seriously weigh in both options with the primary focus being responsible dog ownership.
Because at the end of the day, whether a dog is purebred or mixed breed, a dog’s overall well-being should be at the center of your decision-making process.
Conclusion
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Making a well-informed decision will not only positively affect you, but will also positively contribute to the dog’s welfare and the pet community as a whole.
As a prospective owner, knowing the weight of the decision to own a dog is important. Do your own research, reflect, and make a choice that truly aligns with your values and lifestyle.
And whether you choose to buy or adopt, we want to, yet again, remind that responsible dog ownership should be paramount.
A team of comfort dogs headed to the Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia to provide support after the mass shooting that happened on Wednesday, September 04.
The person who is responsible for the mass shooting, 14-year-old Colt Gray, took the lives of 2 students and 2 teachers and have left 9 other individuals hospitalized. CNN reports that Gray is charged as an adult with murder.
In the wake of the heartbreaking event, the Lutheran Church Charities (LCC) K-9 Comfort Dogs announced on September 05 that it will be sending nine comfort dog teams from six different states across the southeast to Barrow County.
The comfort dogs, together with their handlers, were deployed to Barrow County for a week, from September 07 to September 14. They have provided much needed comfort to families, survivors, and the first responders who serve them.
After arriving in Barrow County, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs shared photos of some of their comfort dogs, wearing vests that said “Please Pet Me”.
They also wrote, “Our hearts ache for the students, families, and staff affected by this heartbreaking loss. We are here to offer comfort, a listening ear, and a gentle presence in this time of deep sorrow.”
For a week, the comfort dogs have been working tirelessly, providing all the support the community needed.
The dogs have attended vigils, visited students from Apalachee High School and other Barrow County schools, and have also met with first responders at the Barrow County Fire Department.
Paul Soost, the lead volunteer for the Winder deployment of the K-9 Comfort Dogs, told WSB Radio, “Every one of the schools that we’ve gone into … the teachers have commented, with the kids, it has really helped them come back to school.”
“We can see the calming effect that the dogs have on people as we come in,” Soost added. “Sometimes people are more comfortable connecting with a dog than they are a person.”
President and CEO of Lutheran Church Charities, Rev. Chris Singer, tells WGAU Radio, “We would love to make all of this just go away. And obviously we can’t. The next best thing that we believe we can do is be here.”
“Be here with this community and to try and help provide some comfort, some support, and awareness that this community is not alone,” he adds.
After wrapping up their week at Barrow County, the LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs posted on Facebook saying, “Thank you for welcoming us into your community. Our prayers remain with you all, and may the peace of God continue to surround you in the days ahead.”
