Thanks in part to your letters, Turkey has approved legislation that, if enforced, will protect animals, including farmed animals, from neglect and abuse. The measure also provides funding for humane education and shelter improvements and includes an endorsement for spay, neuter, and release programs. Turkey was without any comprehensive animal-protection law, and this compassionate move brings the country closer to meeting the humane requirements of the European Union, which is considering Turkey for accession.

In 2001, PETA received disturbing evidence of animal cruelty in Turkey—including footage of escaped farmed animals' being bludgeoned during holiday slaughter and dogs being beaten, poisoned, and thrown into a garbage truck to be compacted while still alive. Since then, PETA and other groups have engaged in prolonged letter-writing and media campaigns, which helped secure the support of dozens of members of the Turkish Parliament—many of whom wrote to say that they would support the passage of a strong law and that they would like further recommendations. The European Commission also agreed to directly address the matter with Turkish Parliament.

Actor Gillian Anderson also helped bring international attention to the matter when she wrote to the Turkish government, asking that it pass an animal-protection law. Now that the law has passed, Ms. Anderson has written to legislators, thanking for them for their compassion and asking for strong enforcement to ensure that the law is actually meaningful. Please click here to see her letter.

Please write to the Turkish prime minister to thank the government for approving the animal-protection law and urge it to support the strong enforcement of this law to reduce animal suffering.

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