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Demo in Vienna: Together against the massacre of street animals!
On June 21, 2025, animal rights activists will demonstrate in Vienna for street animals in Turkey and Morocco, against state-legitimized killings.
Demo in Vienna: Together against the massacre of street animals!
In Turkey, the situation for street animals is getting dramatically worse. A new law under President Erdoğan's AKP government, passed in May 2024 and confirmed by the Constitutional Court in 2025, allows the mass killing of stray dogs and cats. This law has resulted in countless documented cases of violence against animals, including brutal trapping and poisoning. The living conditions for animals in official collection centers are precarious, and support for people who want to help these animals is often made difficult by state repression. The numbers speak for themselves: Over four million street animals live in Turkey and are often an integral part of urban life. This is referred to as the “genocide of street animals”, while animal protection organizations such as Animal Eden e.V. demand immediate protection for animals and rely on active support for the helpers. In addition, Morocco, in the wake of the upcoming 2030 World Cup, is demanding that up to three million dogs and cats be killed - another dark chapter in animal protection. Ecoreich reports that a demonstration should take place in Vienna on June 21st to draw attention to the catastrophic situation of street animals and to show solidarity with the helpers.
Preparations for the demonstration are in full swing. A central concern of the organizers is to take a stand against state-legitimized killing. Protest actions are also planned in various German cities to put pressure on Turkey and FIFA.
Necessary measures and support
The CHP faction in Turkey has now submitted an application to the Supreme Constitutional Court to repeal the stray animal law. Gökhan Günaydin, deputy chairman of the CHP, argues that it violates animal rights and the public interest. The motion seeks to enforce TNVR (catch, neuter, vaccinate, release) programs that would provide a humane solution. But the objection was rejected, which represents a bitter setback for animal protection. VETO continues to support street dogs and animal rights activists in Turkey and has already invested over 75,000 euros in medical care and infrastructure.
More and more animal protection organizations are calling for an immediate moratorium on mass killings and the resumption of castration programs. These calls include the need for international controls and compliance with animal welfare standards. There are numerous reports about the shocking conditions in state reception camps where animals are treated brutally. Political infighting and corruption have also led to mismanagement of animal welfare resources, further exacerbating the situation. Animal rights underlines the urgency of international mobilization for the protection of animals.
The upcoming demonstration in Vienna, which will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Bundesländerplatz, Obere Mariahilfer Straße, not only serves to raise awareness, but is also intended to raise money for three life centers in Turkey. These farms look after more than 500 animals and symbolize the necessary change in the treatment of street animals. It remains to be seen whether public pressure will lead to a rethink and whether the international community can actually influence politics in Turkey and Morocco.