More than 10,000 stray animals rehabilitated in Ankara

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

More than 10,000 injured stray animals were rehabilitated in Ankara last year, the capital city’s metropolitan municipality said on Jan. 16.

In a statement, the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality said it was helping stray, injured and sick animals at its rehabilitation centers, which remain open every day from 8 a.m. until late.

Four ambulances and five animal transport vehicles were used to help the animals in the city. 

A total of 10,619 injured stray animals were treated in 2017, an increase from 8,822 in 2016, the statement added.

The municipality’s teams also closely followed the vaccinations of the stray animals. In 2017, 7,750 animals were vaccinated against rabies and 13,476 animals were vaccinated against internal and external parasites, while 4,885 animals were registered.

Besides cats and dogs, teams sometimes receive calls to rescue different animal species, too, such as monkeys, donkeys, eagles and goats.

Animal lovers are asked to call 153 to inform municipality teams about emergency situations related to stray animals.