Istanbul – Ashraf AboArafe
Istanbul, Turkey – On a shaded sidewalk near a café in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, a scene unfolded that spoke volumes. A stray dog lay resting peacefully, her belly full after a passerby shared part of his lunch. No one shooed her away. On the contrary—she was treated with silent compassion, a common sight in this sprawling city where humans and stray animals live side by side.
What may seem ordinary in Istanbul is actually extraordinary elsewhere. The moment was not just a gesture of kindness—it reflected an entire municipal philosophy toward urban life and animal rights.
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A City of Coexistence
Istanbul is home to tens of thousands of stray dogs and cats, many of whom roam the streets freely, unthreatened and often cared for by residents. The city has rejected aggressive policies seen in some parts of the world—instead opting for a model built on coexistence, care, and civic responsibility.
Municipal veterinary teams routinely conduct vaccinations, sterilizations, and health check-ups. Strays are tagged, monitored, and only removed in cases of illness or danger. The policy is clear: as long as they are not a threat, they have the right to exist freely.
“The dogs of Istanbul are part of our society,” says Dr. Mehmet Demir, a senior official at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Animal Services Unit.
“We treat them with dignity. We don’t hide them in shelters—we support them where they are, among the people.”
Community Compassion
Government efforts are matched—if not exceeded—by public participation. In nearly every neighborhood, residents leave out bowls of food and water. Makeshift shelters, especially in winter, line quieter streets. Social media groups organize volunteer vet visits, adoptions, and neighborhood animal care patrols.
Ayşe Yılmaz, a café owner in Beşiktaş, speaks proudly:
“This dog has been here for over two years. She never bothers anyone. She watches over the shop, and in return, we feed her. That’s the deal.”
Her sentiment is echoed across the city. From shopkeepers to students, Istanbulites view these animals not as pests—but as quiet companions.
A Model for the Region?
The Istanbul example raises difficult questions for many cities in the Middle East and North Africa, where strays are often treated with suspicion or cruelty. In contrast, Turkey passed a comprehensive animal protection law in 2021, strengthening penalties for abuse and promoting ethical stray management.
Animal rights groups have called on neighboring countries to study Istanbul’s model.
“This is not just about animals,” says Fatma Kılıç, a volunteer with Hayvan Hakları İzleme Komitesi (The Animal Rights Watch Committee).
“It’s about what kind of society we want to be. One that shows mercy to the voiceless—or one that treats them as a nuisance?”
A Sleeping Dog, A Powerful Message
Back in Beşiktaş, the dog who had been fed and comforted slept in the afternoon sun. Around her, life continued: children played, vendors sold tea, and tourists strolled by.
She didn’t move. She didn’t need to.
She was safe. She was home.
“We only ask for the right to live… beside you, not against you.”
— The silent message of Istanbul’s stray dogs
