Evaluation of “animal rescue” in Turkey

The aim of this study was to the bioethical and legal evaluation of search-rescue missions conducted for animals by municipalities, fire departments, Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Search and Rescue Association and citizens under such conditions as “fallen”, “frozen”, “collapse” and “fire”. Interviews with the persons who work in these leading institutions and organizations, their activities, national legislation on the subject, highest circulated four newspapers, with internet archives according to the Press adds Agency data between the dates of January 2010 and February 2015 were the materials of the study. Internet archives of these newspapers were scanned using keywords “animal”, “animal rescue”, “animal casualties” and “animal loss”. Scanning of legislations showed that there was no specific legislation and also no topics regarding with “animal rescue”. According to the newspapers’ scanning, so many news about rescued and wasted animals (horses, cows, dogs, cats, goats etc.) were encountered. Municipalities, fire departments, Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, Search and Rescue Association teams, public and other participants. Universal declaration of animal rights points out that “All animals are borned equal with respect to life and they have the same existing right”. For this, evaluation of this important subject, determination of a specific legislation, assignment of authorized unit for rescue operations, coordination between the institutions, providing necessary equipment to rescuers, in terms of no harm ethical principle least pain and damages, rescuing with possible least pain and damages is necessary.