The pet culture in Turkey

It’s been a bittersweet experience for my husband and I having a pet in Turkey. We bought a Pomeranian when he was 2 months old and it’s been a heartbreaking experience trying to get him to Australia.

there’s so much available in Turkey now for pets compared to say 10 years ago. Pet shops, supplies, vets etc however the culture and mentality around pets (especially dogs) is yet to get to a point like it is in other western countries. We’ve found it difficult to keep a pet in apartments as most owners do not allow them claiming that it’s ‘dirty’ Even though we were renting in a secure complex with grassy grounds etc there was still so much hostility towards even walking a dog around... constant dilemma with strata management to even threats of fines!!

They claim to allow pets however do not provide infrastructure to keep animals, except a 5x5 patch of designated area for dogs!!

Unfortunately the mentality around pets/dogs has still not evolved in Turkey. The love of animals is growing but not quite there yet, could be due to Islamic views that animals are not clean and not to be kept in the home... go figure I’m Muslim myself!

There needs to be more care abc animal rights services in Turkey to care for the vulnerable. There’s too many sad and lonely animals on the street still even though everything is so advanced in Turkey. How about spend some money on services which will care for and eradicate homeless animals!

Greetings fellow expats!
I am hoping someone can offer some advice on how l can bring an 11 yr old English Staffordshire dog into Turkey. It has been brought to my attention, by a company that handles the relocation of animals, that American Staffies and Bull Terriers are forbidden to enter Turkey. Is this true and are there any exceptions to this rule?
Please help

QUOTE
Turkey does not permit the import of the following breeds or their crosses: Pit Bull Terriers, Japanese Tosa, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Rottweiller, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Neopolitan Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeux, Roman Fighting Dog, Bandog Tosa Inu, Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff or similar, mongrel breeds.
UNQUOTE

Thank you for the clarification. I would like to know if it is possible to obtain special permission, if so, who should l contact?

i tried my best on the net but couldnt reach any positive outcome..

Thanks for your efforts. I've decided to ditch the idea; it seems to be a mission impossible!

my only prediction is that you will most probably not be caught (if yours is not a scary view big one) as the customs officers are not informed enough about the details (where also some of them will create difficulties on purpose to be bribed), you should also persuade the airliner itself (if intend to come by airway). but finally, if it is yr beloved one (actually not important, all are beloved ones), dont take that risk, could be seized, even put to sleep if you dont take it back together with you without entering turkey. i hope you are not somebody who are trying to trade them, and wish you good luck on yr journey..