As some of you may know I’m writing this from Istanbul’s best veterinary clinic where I am staying besides my dog, Peke.
Because of what we do at Let’s Adopt! I am no stranger to veterinary clinics and their daily routine.
However, this time is different. For the first time I’m not rushing in and out bringing in or taking out an animal. This time I have the time to witness some of the conversations and situations that normally escape me because Im generally in a hurry.
I will try to make a simple list, without making further commentary. I will let you be the judge of the absurdity of some of the things I am witnessing.
Istanbul with close to 14.000.000 people is one of the worlds largest cities.
Istanbul has one of the worlds largest populations of stray dogs.
Dogs:
1 During the entire day, Saturday, a total of 6 golden retrievers, 1 Akita Inu, 3 terriers, 2 german shepherds, 1 Pitbull and one Cocker visited the clinic.
11 of those animals were bought in petshops, the remaining three were gifts from friends/relatives. Not one of the 14 dogs that visited the clinic yesterday was adopted from a shelter or rescued. Not one.
2. None of the 14 dogs were neutered. None. I took the time to speak to each and every single one of its owners and all of them, without exception, refused the idea outright.
3. All the golden retrievers were male. 5 of them had a equally male owner that enquired about the possibility of finding a female so that his dog could copulate. Some of the owners confessed to let their unneutered male roam free in order to release their sexual tension.
One of the intact males was at the clinic to be treated from a stab injury caused by a human. When I enquired how could anyone stab an owned dog the response from the owner was: He was out free, mating.
4. Out of 14 dogs, 10 of them showed serious behavioral issues. Each and every one of the golden retrievers lacked socialization and restraint, none of them could walk at heel. Watching their owners trying to control their dog was like watching a comedy. If it wasn’t so tragic it would have been funny.
5. None of the dogs wore an ID tag.
6. None of the dogs was microchipped.
7. Our vet is a raw feeder. He feeds his own animals a raw diet. He recommends raw to his clients. Even when our vet assures his clients that raw is the best feeding option for the animals the owners reject the idea outright based on their own fears and complete ignorance.
Conclusion: The average dog owner in this country is completely ignorant. Paradoxically, he believes he knows everything, a situation that creates untold damage to his animals.
In big part responsible for the ignorance of the public is the veterinary society lack of efforts in educating their clients.
Vets, my friends.. please… I beg you… you are in a position of responsibility here.. do the right thing and please.. please.. lead by example!
With friends like these the Turkish dogs don’t need any enemies.
Bravo Viktor!
Overcoming ignorance is a challenge, but this article is a start. Awareness is the first step.
This was a great article showing even the so-called “educated” population of Turkey is still very much ignorant about dog ownership. Thank you very much for wriritn gthis article, I will try to share it with as many people as possible.
Ivan, I am speechless! The mindset alone of the owners thinking to let the dogs out to ‘release sexual tension’ is one the most ridiculous statements I’ve ever heard, not to mention completely irresponsible and most definitely IGNORANT.
Truly gives us an eyeopening of 1 of many problems in Turkey regarding animals.
I pray that you are able to touch at least some of the people you will meet there and I continue my prayers for you & Peke.
Victor , you and your team are so great for all good things you do for this poor animals !
Love ya !
Unfortunately,most Turkish people are so ignorant about animals 🙁 and they refuse to be educated because they think they know it all but no they don’t! Feeling so shameful about my people….Hope things will change thanx to Viktor….
wow is all i can say although i still do not feel able to feed my dog raw food i have a very good relationship with my vet my dog is chipped never wanders round with out us she is well trained she was a rescue is neutered and we love her to bits i wish we could feed her raw as i agree this would be the ideal but we do the best we can. we are both disabled and had not planned to get a dog but when we took her in she was a whisker from being put down as she was so traumatised by her previous owners partner who was violent and abusive it took time and love for her to trust again but she is a babe and worth it all and we would not be parted from her
all these happens from the lack of education >.<
I'm 14 years old, 2 years ago I had no knowledge of how we should adopt our dogs from shelters and how we should neuter them..and all the other things.
I learned everything from groups like Let's Adopt! and such.
they helped me develop a complete different personality.
Most of the children at my age already doesnt give a damn thought about anything going on around them,and I'm pretty sure they'll be like those people who visited your vet.
the question is,how are we going to change their idiotic minds?..
Very accurate and true conclusion: “The average dog owner in this country is completely ignorant.” I agree with you a hundred percent Viktor.
What is more unfortunate is this: “The average human being in this country is completely ignorant.” I’m a native Turkish citizen, I was born in Istanbul, I’ve been living here for 25 years and I could say this without any doubt…
Great article, and I totally agree. I once spent a full day at Istanbul University. EVERY male dog that came in that day (>20) was unneutered. If the owner spoke English, I brought up the issue, and these ignorant people were full of stupid excuses why not to neuter. “He needs to have sex. Let God decide. Puppies are cute. I can make money breeding him.” I’ve lived all over the world, but NEVER in a place where people are this ignorant. about pets.
I’ve hung out for long periods at four different vet cinics, and was shocked to see that not ONE vet recommended spaying/neutering. Even for aggressive dogs, dogs that attacked other dogs, etc. What’s up with that? I’d think they’d make the recommendation if nothing other than as a way to get added income. But they’re missing every opportunity to educate people about the health issues of an intact dog AND missing out financially. For those who aren’t aware, spayed/neutered dogs live 2+ years more than intact ones on average.
And what’s the deal with nearly every dog in Istanbul being male? In our neighborhood, I’d guess at least 80-90% of the owned dogs are male. Where are the females? Is every female born in Turkey immediately put to work in a puppy mill? In America, where the great majority (70-90%) of dogs are spayed/neutered, there is no universal preference for males vs. females.
I’ve had 9 dogs in my life, all spayed and neutered. All tattooed and/or microchipped. All tagged with several phone numbers. All with the recommended shots. All licensed by the city, and with dog-park licenses (where applicable). All of them since I was 12 years old (1977) have been obedience trained and competed and won prizes at obedience competitions.
I’m APPALLED at the horrible behavior of most dogs here in Istanbul–dragging the owner on the leash, lunging and barking at other dogs. (The owner’s fault through lack of training). I started http://www.PozitifEnik.com to provide good, “positive trainer friendly” equipment for dogs that pull or bark. Despite loads of SEO and a site in Turkish, most of my 200 visitors a month are American. Using Google Analytics, I found out that Turks search for terms like “no-pull harnesses,” “bark collars,” “how to housebreak a dog,” etc. (in Turkish, of course) only 2-10x/month per search term! That shows how little people here care to solve their dogs’ problems. Better to just dump them on the street and make them somebody else’s problem… the same as many people throw their food wrappers on the street when there are trash cans 1m away. “Let somebody else fix the problem–it’s not MY responsibility!”
Well done Viktor for telling it like it is.
I do hope that Peke is improving, my thoughts are with you both.
Well as İ have been saying for years (and now that the program the hporse whisperer is on the air saying the same thing) I don^t train the dogs, İ train the owners as the problem is generally their lack of understanding the dog or cat. Complicate that and the fact that the veterinary school system doesn’t teach very much and the entrance to the vet schools are like a last resort for low scoring high school grads, you have found the answer for disaster. İ can tell you that İ have had run-ins with the veterinary association on this issue because İ was complained about for treating street animal for mange or injuries without a vet licsence and İ was taking money away from them; as if the dogs would have been treated by them for nothing.
Sounds like Bulgaria..