Mayor who attended the Antalya Stray Animal Workshop of the Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin BöcekStating that they will continue to give their best support for the welfare of stray animals, which are accepted as a social problem, and to ensure the peace of the society, “Because we; We are a municipality that not only cares about the problems of our dear friends, but also the problems of women, children and the disabled.”
Antalya Metropolitan Municipality organized the "Antalya Stray Animal Workshop" in order to identify the problems of stray animals in the city, to raise awareness in the public, to support cooperation between other public institutions, universities, non-governmental organizations and animal lovers. The workshop was attended by the Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. Muhittin Böcek, Antalya Chamber of Veterinarians President Murat Karabayoğlu, Turkey Animal Protection Association Antalya Representative Sevda Kıraç, representatives from associations, universities, professional chambers, public institutions and animal lovers.
Permanent Actions Needed
Speaking at the opening of the workshop held within the scope of the rehabilitation works of the Metropolitan Municipality for stray animals, the Mayor Muhittin BöcekStating that the world is a common living space for all living things, he said that with the urbanization of human beings, some problems have arisen in terms of living together with stray animals. Pointing out that the increase in the number of animals, the difficult conditions brought by urbanization for animals, the increase in animal accidents and the violence applied to animals, the problems in adaptation have increased, and stated that it is important to implement permanent measures for both the protection of animals and the continuity of public health.
Stray Animal Care Home is in Service
Expressing that as Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, they carry out important studies for the protection of stray animals and public health, the Mayor Muhittin Böcek, said: “We have completed the construction of our Temporary Care Home for Stray Animals in European standards, which we tendered in March 2020, and put it into service. In our Stray Animals Temporary Nursing Home, which has a capacity of 1300 dogs and 700 cats, a total of 3 clinics including cat-dog and orthopedics, 1 emergency clinic, 1 k clinic, 1 dog clinic, 1 post orthopedics clinic, 2 dog infirmaries, 1 cat infirmary. and in the infirmary environment, emergency and daily treatment protocols are followed. With our 7 emergency response vehicles, we provide 2/24 service with 12 veterinarians, 3 veterinary technicians, 35 technicians, 7 animal caretakers and patient caregivers.”
Our Support Will Continue
President Muhittin BöcekNoting that they will continue to provide their best support for the welfare of stray animals, which are accepted as a social problem, and to ensure the peace of the society, “Because we; We know the spirituality of having unrequited love for animals and nature. Because we; We are a municipality that not only cares about the problems of our dear friends, but also the problems of women, children and the disabled.”
Solution Suggestions Will Be Discussed
Stating that the problems experienced about stray animals and solution proposals will be discussed with all stakeholders at the Antalya Stray Animal Workshop, Mayor Insect said, “Taking into account the value judgments of each segment, how we can create a culture of living together within the framework of mutual love and respect will be discussed and solution proposals will be discussed. Our workshop has become even more meaningful since April 4 is World Stray Animal Day.”
Türkiye Respects Animals and Nature
Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Muhittin Böcek In his speech, he said, “I embrace you all with love, believing that we will build a brighter, freer and more democratic Turkey, where our young people and children look to the future with hope, our women smile, respect animals, the environment and nature, together in the Second Century of our Republic. Promise to you!…. A Turkey that does not hurt each other, protects the rights of animals and all living things, and embraces, not distances, is very close.”
Expert Names Addressed Issues
After the opening speech, the sessions started. In the first session, titled “Presentations on Problems”, Veterinarian Erol Karacan, who works at the Antalya Branch of Nature Conservation National Parks, Attorney Ilgaz Ayça Yaz on behalf of the Antalya Bar Association and Veterinarian Murat Karabayoğlu, President of the Antalya Chamber of Veterinarians, made evaluations on the problems related to stray animals.
Solution Suggestions Offered
In the continuation of the session, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University Veterinary Faculty lecturer Prof. Dr. Ali Reha Ağaoğlu, Veterinarian Özlem Çağırıcı Pear, who works at the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, and Sevda Kıraç, Antalya Representative of the Turkish Animal Protection Association, also made statements about the problems of stray animals. Workshop II. In the session, solution suggestions were discussed. The guest speaker of the workshop moderated by Ezgi Gözeger was Yonca Evcimik, a prominent artist with her works on animal rights.