sterilisatie als oplossing

Solving the problem

1. NEUTER AND RELEASE

‘Neuter and Release’ is the name of the proven solution to the problem of stray dogs and is endorsed by the W.H.O. (World Health Organisation) and W.S.P.A. (World Society for the Protection of Animals).

2. THE EVIDENCE

‘Each habitat has a specific carrying capacity for each species. This specific carrying capacity depends on the availability…of resources (shelter, food, water). The density of a population of higher vertebrates (including dogs) is almost always near the carrying capacity of the environment. Any reduction in population density through mortality is rapidly compensated by better reproduction and survival. In other words when dogs are removed, the survivors’ life expectancy increases because they have better access to the resources, and there is less competition for resources.’

*W.H.O. Guidelines for Dog Population Management, Geneva, 1990 (p.9)

The poisoning or expulsion from your municipality of dogs (for example by dumping them on a rubbish tip or in the forest outside Istanbul) is therefore futile and self-defeating. The only answer is for each municipality to ensure that the carrying capacity of their municipal area is full with neutered dogs, who will use up the resources (food, water, shelter) but not reproduce.‘In the long term, control of reproduction is by far the most effective strategy of dog population management.’

*W.H.O. Guidelines for Dog Population Management, page 72.

‘Removal and killing of dogs should never be considered as the most effective way of dealing with a problem of surplus dogs in the community: it has no effect whatsoever on the root cause of the problem.’

*W.H.O. Guidelines for Dog Population Management, page 74.

3. LOW COST NEUTERING CLINICS

S.H.K.D. respectfully requests that you solve the stray dog problem in your area by setting up a portable or permanent neutering and vaccination clinic.

We attach two examples of how a clinic could be designed. These can be set up on any piece of empty land of 100m2 or more (a building site, car park, disused road etc.) and moved elsewhere when the site is required for other purposes.

S.H.K.D. will be pleased to manage and implement the project on your behalf or, if you prefer to run it yourselves, we will provide free of charge:
* advice on setting up the clinic
* veterinary training in the latest neutering techniques
* dog catching training
* help with tattooing and non-removable collars

A neutering clinic requires an initial budget of US$ 25000,- to set up with a budget of $ 5800,- per month for a period of 3 to 5 years. Although this may seem a lot of money from your municipal budget, please bear in mind that the problem of stray dogs will have been solved permanently after 3 - 5 years. The clinic can then be converted into a commercial clinic, dog registration and licensing centre or of course be closed down.

BUDGET:

Fencing, walls, Eternit, concrete		$ 1000
2 container buildings (i.e. Prefabrik Yapi KC1, KF2) incl toilets etc.		$ 7500
3 electric heaters		$ 375
Water tank (1000 litres)		$ 120
Operating theatre equipment incl. autoclave, medicine cupboard		$ 3200
25 chrome steel cages made locally x $ 200		$ 5000
25 folding cages and trays imported x$ 170		$ 4250
Furniture		$ 1200
Insect repelling lights
Air conditioning		$ 750
Refrigerator and freezer		$ 750
2 telephones and lines		$ 50
2 dog catching poles imported		$ 220
20 leads and collars		$ 200
Tattooing machine		$ 200
Total	$ 24.965

Optional:
Net launching gun (to catch frightened/aggressive dogs safely)		$ 6000
Dog trap		$ 600
Total incl. net gun and trap	$ 31.565

Monthly expenditure:

Vaccines (300 dogs, rabies + DHPL):	$ 1300
Medicine (200 neuterings) :	$ 1000
Dogfood :	$ 750
Cleaning equipment and miscellaneous	$ 150
Telephone, gas, electricity	$ 120
Non-removable collars	$ 50
Vet	$ 850
Drivers	nil
Assistant vet	$ 500
Receptionist	$ 500
Night watchman	$ 200
2 x cleaners, assistants	$ 400
Total per month	$ 5820

Optional:
10 local part time dog wardens (to be appointed by muhtar and employed by S.H.K.D. TL 60 million each per month)
	$ 1500
Total incl. dog wardens per month	$ 6470

4. IS IT WORTH IT ?

The above costs have to be set against the costs at present of: road accidents; dealing with constant complaints about dogs; rabies and other illnesses; injuries; fear; noise disturbance; dog dirt (excrement); wasted time of municipal employees trying to catch, remove or poison dogs; the damage to Istanbul’s image in the eyes of tourists, businessmen and other visitors caused by your stray dog problem. Street dogs are a disturbing and distressing sight for foreigners, especially those from Western countries. There is also the psychological damage on children who witness poisoned and injured dogs dying agonising deaths on the city’s streets.

5. YOUR STRATEGY

* publicise your free vaccination and neutering service
* explain your policy to all citizens by means of leaflets and posters
* invite all dog owners, and anyone feeding stray dogs locally, to bring them to your clinic for freeneutering and vaccination
* give priority to female dogs, especially pregnant ones
* examine and vaccinate (day 1), neuter (day 2), release (day 4-7), isolate dogs with mange, distemper, kennel cough etc. for treatment
* badly injured or ill dogs should be humanely euthanised
* train municipal workers to catch all females and bring them to your clinic
* neuter 7-10 dogs per day, 6 days per week
* under anaesthetic tattoo the inside of the right ear with an unique number
* attach non-removable collar
* record where found, age, date vaccinated and neutered, description
* release to where found
* appoint and train local dog wardens; provide them with food to gain dogs’ confidence to make catching easier. After 2 years each dog to be given a rabies booster vaccination.

6. THE RESULTS

Because street dogs live an average of only 2-3 years and rarely live longer than 5 years, the problem of Istanbul’s street dogs can be 90% solved within 4 to 5 years if you and your surrounding municipalities adopt and carry out our ‘neuter and release’ strategy. Within 5 years the only dogs in your area producing unwanted puppies will be dogs abandoned by irresponsible owners.

Any such abandoned dogs should be brought to your clinic for re-homing
or released back onto the streets neutered and vaccinated. If your local
dog warden knows who abandoned the dog the culprit should be fined heavily.

7. WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ?

Please contact Mr Atilla Arikok or Mrs Elmas Keskin of S.H.K.D. on phone no. 0212 8752959 pbx. ext. 138 for further information or help. You are also welcome to visit our shelter in Gokturk - please make an appointment first.

S.H.K.D.
Sahipsiz Hayvanlari Koruma Dernegi
Robert Smith - Chairman

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