Why adoption has become more important than ever
As those who follow animal welfare issues in Türkiye will be aware, the Turkish Government has, for some time, been committed to removing stray dogs from the country’s streets. As the legislation is now being implemented, many residents and visitors have already noticed that there are fewer street dogs in Kuşadası. As more dogs are collected from the streets, their future will increasingly depend on people opening their hearts and choosing adoption. This page explains what has changed, what it means for the dogs in Kuşadası, and how you can help.
Please note: We have compiled this information to the best of our knowledge based on the official legislation, government guidance and the information currently available to us. It reflects the situation as of 2 July 2026. As the implementation of the new legislation continues, procedures and guidance may change. We will update this page whenever new official information becomes available.
The previous system: Tag, Neuter, Release (TNR)
There is no doubt that the dog population has increased substantially over the years, which isn’t surprising given reproduction. For many years, municipalities such as Kuşadası operated a Tag, Neuter, Release (TNR) programme. Street dogs were humanely captured, neutered, vaccinated, ear-tagged and registered on the Municipality’s database before being returned, wherever possible, to the areas where they had been living.
Dogs that were sick or injured, pregnant or nursing puppies remained at the Municipal Animal Shelter until they had recovered or were able to care for themselves before being released. Whilst living on the streets was never an ideal solution, there was often little practical alternative.
Many of these ear-tagged dogs became familiar faces within their communities. They slept outside shops, greeted walkers every morning, waited outside cafés and parks, and were cared for by local residents, businesses and visitors. For many people, these dogs were not simply ‘stray dogs’, they were part of everyday life. Sadly, not all areas within Türkiye have shown the same approach as Kusadasi. In fact, there have been some distressing incidents in some areas, which have led to prosecutions in some cases.
What changed in 2024
On 30 July 2024, the Turkish Grand National Assembly adopted Law No. 7527, amending Türkiye‘s Animal Protection Law (Law No. 5199). One of the most significant changes is that municipalities are no longer permitted to return collected dogs to the streets after neutering. Instead, dogs collected by municipalities must remain in municipal shelters or other authorised facilities until they are formally adopted. Detailed regulations explaining how the law should be implemented were later published in the Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete) on 13 December 2024. This represents one of the biggest changes to animal welfare legislation in Türkiye for many years.
What is changing right now: removing all stray dogs
Earlier this year, Türkiye‘s Interior Minister, Mustafa Çiftçi, announced that the Government’s aim is for all stray dogs to have been collected from the country’s streets and placed in shelters or designated natural living areas by the end of 2026. He also stated that municipalities have been instructed to significantly accelerate the collection of stray dogs as part of the implementation of the 2024 legislation. As a result, the pace at which municipalities are now required to collect stray dogs has increased substantially. And this trend is expected to continue as municipalities work to comply with the Government’s directive. For many of us, this is heartbreaking. Some of these dogs have lived peacefully in the same neighbourhoods for years. Their future now depends more than ever on people opening their homes and choosing adoption.
What does this mean for Kuşadası?
Like municipalities across Türkiye, Kuşadası is legally required to implement the new legislation. The Municipal Animal Shelter continues working hard to provide care for increasing numbers of dogs while also trying to find permanent homes for as many animals as possible.
Adopting a street dog
If there is a street dog you already know and care about, now is the time to think about its future. According to the current local procedure in Kuşadası, street dogs may still be formally adopted through the Municipality.
Microchipping a street dog
According to the current guidance provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, it is currently still possible to officially adopt a street dog through the Municipality. Once the adoption has been approved, the Municipal Animal Shelter can arrange for the dog to be legally microchipped, provided the adopter signs the necessary documentation accepting full legal responsibility for the dog and confirms that it will no longer be allowed to roam freely on the streets. Under the current regulations, street dogs over six months of age cannot be microchipped by private veterinary clinics. The microchipping must be carried out through the official adoption process by the Municipal Animal Shelter. Please note that this reflects the current procedure and may change if national legislation or government guidance is updated. For this reason, please do not arrange to have a street dog microchipped independently or outside the official adoption process.
Note:
By signing the adoption paperwork, the adopter also agrees that the dog will no longer be allowed to roam freely on the streets. Instead, the dog must be kept either inside the home or within the boundaries of the adopter’s private property. If taken outside the property, the dog must always be kept on a lead and under the owner’s control.
Who can adopt?
If you wish to officially adopt a street dog that will continue living in Türkiye, please note that, under the current procedure, the adopter must be a Turkish citizen or legal resident of Türkiye. This requirement reflects the current local procedure and may change in the future. If you are visiting Türkiye or do not have residency, please contact ARK to discuss your options.
Adopting a dog abroad
Fortunately, an increasing number of dogs from Kuşadası are finding loving homes in other countries. Although the process is different from adopting a dog that will remain in Türkiye, international adoptions can be arranged. ARK has experience in helping dogs travel to their new homes overseas and can advise you on the adoption process, veterinary requirements, transport arrangements and the necessary paperwork. If you are interested in giving one of our dogs a home abroad, please get in touch. We will be happy to help!
Why adoption matters more than ever
Every adoption changes two lives. The life of the dog who finally finds safety and the life of the next dog who can now be given space in the shelter. The coming months are likely to be some of the biggest challenges Türkiye‘s street dogs have ever faced. No shelter – however well managed – can replace the comfort of a loving home and family. If you have ever thought about adopting, now is the time!
Whether you adopt from the Municipal Shelter or officially adopt a street dog you already know, you could change that dog’s future forever. Together, we can ensure that as many dogs as possible exchange uncertainty for safety, the streets for a home and loneliness for love. Because every dog deserves a family.
Need advice?
If you have questions about:
• Adopting from the Municipal Shelter
• Adopting a street dog
• The current legal procedure
• Fostering
• Volunteering
Please contact ARK Animal Rescue. We are happy to help explain the current process and discuss the best options for both you and the dog. ARK believes that every dog deserves compassionate treatment, proper veterinary care and, above all, the opportunity to live in a safe and loving home. We will continue working closely with Kuşadası Municipality, volunteers and our supporters to help as many animals as possible through rescue, treatment, sterilisation and adoption.
ARK and Kuşadası Municipality
ARK has worked closely with Kuşadası Municipality on animal welfare for many years and has had access to all areas of the Municipal Animal Shelter throughout that time. During recent years, substantial improvements have been made, including:
· Expansion of the shelter
· Two dedicated cat neutering centres
· Two animal ambulances
· Additional veterinary staff
· Improved veterinary equipment
· Continued investment in animal welfare
Every day, municipal staff and volunteers work tirelessly to care for hundreds of dogs and cats needing food, shelter and medical treatment.
Sources
Official legislation
· Law No. 7527, amending the Animal Protection Law (Law No. 5199), adopted on 30 July 2024 and published in the Official Gazette (Resmî Gazete).
· Regulation on the Implementation of the Animal Protection Law, published in the Official Gazette on 13 December 2024.
Official government sources
· Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior (İçişleri Bakanlığı) – Official statements and implementation instructions issued to municipalities regarding the enforcement of Law No. 7527 and the collection of stray dogs.
· Statement by Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announcing the Government’s objective to collect all stray dogs into municipal shelters or designated natural living areas by the end of 2026, and instructing municipalities to accelerate implementation.
Background reporting
· Reuters, 30 July 2024 – Türkiye passes law to get stray dogs off the streets and into shelters.
· Reuters, 5 September 2024 – Türkiye’s stray dogs find homes abroad after new law to clear them off streets.
· Reuters (2025–2026) – Reports on the implementation of the legislation and the Ministry’s instructions to municipalities.