Stray dogs in Altinkum
Altinkum Beach | Dec 15, 2011 | Comments 0
Holiday Season happiness for formerly stray dogs in Altinkum this month, as they receive the green light to travel to the UK for rehoming. Thanks to the work of the Didim Friends of Animals Charity, these gentle creatures will soon be roaming around the green fields of England, rather than the sandy beaches of Altinkum.
Although they are leaving a seaside paradise, the sad truth is that many dogs in Turkey cannot be homed and end up living on the streets. Fortunately, our tourist visitors, who love to visit us on last minute cruises, are great animal lovers, especially those who visit from Great Britain.
A group of British volunteers who moved to Didim, were so moved by the plight of stray dogs in the resorts of Turkey that they set up a charity which helps to care for the animals they find.
The group work with the local council, who do their best to look after the dogs. The Didim Friends of Animals raise funds to help provide better accommodation for stray dogs, and pays for operations to have them neutered. It is sometime not enough for some however! Some holidaymakers fall head over heels in love with the stray dogs they find, and want to take them home. This was the case with the five dogs,which are set to leave Turkey on January 4th 2012.
Before this would have meant a lengthy and expensive stay for them in quarantine kennels, at huge expense. But thanks to a change in the UK law, the lengthy quarantine period has been abolished, meaning dogs can leave more quickly and do not have to endure a lonely stay in kennels. The quarantine law is lifted on January 1st – the perfect New Year’s gift for the happy dogs, Millie, Luci, Ted, Shirli and Rosie.
Some owners are not happy about sending their dogs by plane to their new homes, because conditions are far from ideal, and very expensive. It costs in excess of £1,000 per dog to fly to the UK by plane, plus other costs, so the dogs will be travelling by road instead, where they will have plenty of time for rest and relaxation along the way.
Perhaps now that they are fit and healthy they will stop for one last run along the beach at Didim, Akbuk or Altinkum before they go! The transport of the dogs is being organised by Paws Kennels, run by two Brits who moved to Bulgaria from Didim, and now specialise in helping people to rehome dogs from Turkey.
They are fully endorsed by the Bulgarian Government and even have a special dog friendly van which they use for the road trip. From Bulgaria the dogs will be sent on to the UK, or other EU countries, where their new families will be waiting to meet them. Before leaving Turkey the dogs will have been inoculated, chipped, and treated for the host of medical conditions that stray dogs are susceptible to. Only when they are in the best of health are they able to travel. The Turkish authorities are aware of the extent of the problem that the area has with abandoned dogs and are working hard to ease the situation, but resources are limited.
This is where the charity workers come into action, raising money for treatment, better kennel facilities and tick treatments, to ensure the dogs have a more comfortable life. The area is lucky to have so many compassionate people living here, who are willing to help ease the discomfort of mans’ best friend. And what better way to raise money than a sponsored swim!
Last year saw a Boxing Day swim in the sea, with the Winter sunshine still shining. Back in the UK, the people who are waiting to rehome Millie, Luci, Ted, Shirli and Rosie are waiting for the best Christmas present of their lives, even though it will come a little late for the big day itself. It is reported that some of them have presents wrapped and waiting for their new pets, under the Christmas Tree!
What a wonderful new start for the dogs and their new owners, and it all began in the wonderful Altinkum area – certainly a holiday that none of them will ever forget. We wish good luck to our furry Turkish friends, and all happiness in their new homes. Fundraising event for Didim Friends of Animals Charity in Altinkum Turkey.
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