Creating Safe and Healthy Living Areas for Street Animals in Hakkari
Hakkâri Governor Ali Çelik visited the Hakkâri Street Animals Protection Union Shelter and Natural Living Area located in Akocak Village of the Yüksekova district and carried out inspections. Governor Çelik, together with the accompanying delegation, observed the works carried out in the shelter area on site and received information from the authorities. During the inspections, he instructed the relevant units to rapidly complete the paving of internal shelter roads with interlocking paving stones and the retaining wall projects within the scope of environmental landscaping.
“In this process that we have initiated in line with the instructions of our Ministry of Interior, we aim to collect street animals in the Hakkâri center and all our districts and place them in healthy and safe environments,” said Governor Çelik, and shared the following information regarding the works carried out in the region:
The construction of a 15,000 square meter natural living area and a 10,000 square meter animal shelter in Yüksekova is about to be completed rapidly. Currently, nearly 550 street animals are being sheltered here. Similar living areas have been established on areas of 7,000 m² in Şemdinli and 3,000 m² each in Çukurca and Derecik.
In the Hakkâri center, a shelter was also established under the coordination of Hakkâri Municipality, and nearly 2,000 street animals were collected both from district centers and villages. Governor Çelik stated that within the framework of the mandatory provisions of the Animal Protection Law, they aim to ensure that there are no stray animals left on the streets and that these animals are sterilized and their health and care processes are carried out safely.
Within this scope:
- 3 veterinarians were employed,
- A mixed feed production facility producing between 500 kg and 1 ton per day was established,
- Vaccination activities, especially against mange and rabies, continue,
- 28 personnel are working in the natural living area and feed production facility established on an area of 9,700 m²,
- 11 teams and approximately 70 people are actively carrying out shelter works and collection processes in the field.
“Our aim is not to leave any stray animals on the streets within 1 month. As of now, there is information that 99% have already been collected. We are creating safe areas where our citizens can walk on the streets with peace of mind and where our animals can live in healthy conditions,” said Governor Çelik, drawing attention to the devoted work of the teams in the field.
Within this scope, Governor Çelik also instructed the relevant units to build two new natural living areas next to the existing 6 natural living areas and to expand the existing shaded areas.
Governor Çelik also stated, “We are determined to establish an order that will ensure both love for animals and the safety of citizens together. We are closely following this process and meticulously taking all measures.”