The cultural melting pot between the east and the west, Istanbul, the city with shores in Europe and Asia is one to savor. Istanbul‘s love for all things feline has long allured this dog.
Personal Journey: From Istanbul’s Shelters to a Forever Home
At Dog with Blog, we believe the best insights come from those living the experience. To bring you a deeper look at animal welfare in Turkey, our local team member Gülsüm documented her personal adoption story with Tahin, a former shelter dog in Istanbul.
Her journey, from navigating the initial ‘what-ifs’ of first-time pet ownership to the daily joy of rescue, offers a rare, first-hand perspective on the city’s evolving adoption landscape. This isn’t just a story about street dogs; it’s an expert look at the commitment required to move an animal from a shelter to a sofa, proving that local advocacy is the key to lasting change.
Gülsüm, spent 1.5 months preparing for Tahin. Her top 3 tips for Istanbul adopters:
1) Test your routine before the dog arrives,
2) Look past the breed to the personality
3) Prepare for the ‘shelter-to-sofa’ transition period.
In another heartwarming story from this magical land, the animal lovers of Istanbul are endearingly helping the stray animals from the freezing temperatures.
Animal lovers of Istanbul
With a snow cover of almost 65 cm covering the city overnight, the snow engulfed everything. This is when the city’s animal lovers came forth to keep the stray animals safe and warm from the freezing temperatures.
See Also: How a cafe in Greece is helping stray animals?
From animal lovers to local business owners, everyone has kept some much needed warmth in their hearts for the homeless. Selçuk Bayal may have a small store but that didn’t keep him from turning it into a make-shift shelter for stray cats.
However in spite of being heaped upon praises from the animal lovers of Istanbul, he has also been criticized by customers, to whom he responded by placing a sign in the shop window stating: “Those who are bothered by cats, do not shop here!”
“We are human, and these creatures are entrusted to us by God. We are responsible for looking after them.”
~ Selçuk Bayal
When the temperatures dropped to -15 Celsius, the Atrium Mall, of Istanbul, opened their doors to homeless dogs so that they wouldn’t have to spend the night in freezing temperatures.
And the kindness doesn’t stop here. A group of strangers have laid down cardboard and blankets inside a local mall. Thus the stray dogs and pups have found some much needed warmth in the bleakest of winters.
What do the colored ear tags on Istanbul’s dogs mean?
The “earrings” you see on street dogs are a badge of health. They signify that the dog has been part of the city’s “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) program. Specifically, the color and shape often tell you which municipality performed the procedure—for example, a red rectangular tag typically indicates a dog from the Beyoğlu district. It proves the dog is vaccinated against rabies, sterilized, and registered in the municipal database.
Can a tourist actually adopt a dog from Istanbul?
Yes, but it isn’t a “carry-on” process. You can’t take a dog home the same day. You will need to partner with a local boarding facility or a relocation expert (like Pet Chalet) to handle the 4-month legal window. This includes microchipping, a Rabies Titer Test (FAVN), and a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the dog is cleared for export to the EU, UK, or USA.
Why are Istanbul’s street dogs so calm compared to other cities?
It’s a mix of “Socialization and Stewardship.” Because the 2004 Animal Protection Law forbids the culling of street animals, these dogs have grown up in a culture of coexistence. They aren’t “stray” in the sense of being lost; they are “neighborhood dogs” fed by local butchers, sheltered by shopkeepers, and monitored by the city’s 153 health protocol. This constant, positive human interaction removes the “fear-aggression” often seen in other feral populations.
The Local’s Guide: Essential Istanbul Rescue Resources
If you find yourself in Istanbul and encounter an animal in distress, don’t just stand there—the city has an incredible, built-in support system.
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Dial 153 (IBB White Desk): This is the “emergency line” for the city. If you see an injured street dog or cat, call 153. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) operates a 24/7 animal ambulance service that will collect, treat, and—once recovered—return the animal to its original neighborhood.
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The SemtPati App: Download this immediately. It’s a volunteer-driven app supported by the municipality. It maps out the “residents” (street dogs) of each neighborhood. You can use it to record sightings, check health statuses, or even start the official adoption process for dogs currently in IMM care homes.
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Vetbüs & Vetkabin: Keep an eye out for these bright mobile clinics. They rotate through different squares (like Beşiktaş or Kadıköy) providing free vaccinations and parasite treatments. If you are caring for a neighborhood “indie,” these are your best friends.
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HAYTAP (Animal Rights Federation): For legal issues or large-scale advocacy, HAYTAP is the leading authority in Turkey. Their website is the best place to find lists of vetted local shelters if you are looking to donate or volunteer beyond the city center.
We can only hope that with such a kind start to the new year, the uplifting news continues to pour in. If you’re considering welcoming a dog into your home, please adopt.
Because dog lovers don’t buy dogs, they adopt.