SHKD Mission Statement
Sahipsiz Hayvanlari Koruma Dernegi (SHKD) is a Turkish registered animal welfare association, working since 1998 in Turkey with the purpose of persuading the general public, central government and local authorities to solve Turkey's stray dog problem effectively, humanely and permanently.
The excess population of stray dogs as a result of uncontrolled reproduction, is a problem in many cities of Turkey especially the metropolises. For many years, from the Ottoman times, governments didn't put enough emphasis on animal welfare and implemented policies of poisoning, killing or isolation as in the case of Hayirsiz Ada in 1910 when 80.000 dogs were dumped in the island to die there of hunger and thirst. If killing worked, the stray dog populations of Turkish towns would have been eliminated long ago.
SHKD believes that the only effective, humane solution to the overpopulation of stray animals is "Neuter-Vaccinate-Release" (NR) which is to release animals in their territory after neutering and vaccinating them. Our goal is to create awareness about NR in the public by PR campaigns and education programs in schools and make sure that it is implemented correctly by municipalities as is dictated in the Animal Protection Law 5199.
