As someone deeply moved and influenced by the beautiful culture of Türkiye, I found a distinctive trait of people here that struck a chord with my heart. The people of Türkiye shared their spaces with those who were silent, those whose voices were generally unheard - the animals inhabiting the streets. This aspect about Turkiye had always inspired me deeply.

However, I was recently exposed to an unsettling reality. Despite the people's evident inclination towards safeguarding the lives of these animals, a recent law, enacted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, threatens their existence. This law essentially promotes the extermination of street animals, overshadowing the potential benefit of a more humane alternative; spaying.

This not only goes against the compassionate nature of Turkish people, but it also poses a tremendous threat to the survival of countless animals. According to data provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute, there are over 130,000 stray animals in Istanbul alone. This figure drastically increases when considering the entire nation. By rescinding this law, we can save countless lives and preserve the essence of what I believe truly defines Türkiye's spirit.

Therefore, it is crucial for us to urge President Erdogan to reverse this law, and instead promote and implement extensive spaying programs as a humane and ethical approach to controlling the stray animal population. Please use your voices as I've seen you do before, stand up for these innocent beings, sign this petition, and show your support for a more compassionate Türkiye.