During the time Naturewatch Foundation was involved in Turkey, Cannakale was one of the areas where the mobile clinic was hard at work under the direction of vet Alkan Kuscu. Alkan also spent time demonstrating the spay/neuter operating techniques to local vets so they might improve their skills. The Mayor of Cannakale, Üzgür Gokhan, and the chairman of the Cannakale Animal Welfare Association, Riza Ökten, formed an impressive working relationship regarding the stray dogs of the region. The Animal Centre in Cannakale was very well equipped and the facilities for the neutering and general care of the strays very good.
At the same time, work in Fethiye continued at a steady pace. Records showed that out of the numbers of dogs being sterilized, an amazing 50% were being re-homed with the other 50% going back to the streets. Pups were still being received without their mothers, despite requesting that the 
mother should also be brought along to be spayed. At least the pups had a chance of being rehomed, but this means that some mothers in the Centre suddenly have an awfully big family to feed!
However, there is one big problem with any neuter and return programme – catching the strays. Most Turkish people have a basic fear of dogs, and any stray animal is treated with suspicion. Local municipality employees have never been trained in dog-catching techniques and it requires a few brave souls to undertake this task. The Society's own dog-catcher, Cuma, is very experienced and works locally to Fethiye but, generally, the vets on site have to supervise and encourage the catchers. At some new locations, the only means of dog-control in the past had been the placing of poisoned meat on the streets!
The cost of medication is of great concern to the local mayors who are all constrained by tight Government-controlled budgets. We are very fortunate t
o have the support of a medical supply company, Izmir-based Yeni Çag, which provides medication for these municipalities at cost price. Without this support the municipalities could not afford to pay for the necessary medication. For example, the cost of medication, including anesthesia medication, anti-rabies vaccinations, ear-tags and parasite treatment, works out at less than €6 per dog when buying from this company. Private vets will charge €60 to neuter a dog, with anti-rabies vaccination an extra cost.
Policy is not to neuter a privately owned dog but refer the owner to a local vet. However, many dog-owners could never afford to pay €60 (the average monthly income is less than €300) so, rather than send them away knowing that they won’t go to the local vet, the dog is spayed/neutered for free.