Hours-long mobilization in Antalya: Dogs stranded in shelter due to flood rescued by boats

Following heavy rainfall in Antalya, the rising water levels of the Köprüçay River, which passes through the Serik district, caused a flood at a private animal shelter located in the Boğazkent neighborhood. Upon notification by shelter officials, police, search and rescue teams, and numerous animal lovers were dispatched to the area.

A race against time began for the dogs stranded in the shelter, which was submerged after the river overflowed. Reaching the shelter by boat, the teams brought the 27 dogs inside to a safe area after approximately 3 hours of work. The rescued animals were handed over to animal lovers and Antalya Metropolitan Municipality teams waiting about 1 kilometer away. It was learned that the dogs were subsequently taken to the animal shelter belonging to the Metropolitan Municipality.

Boğazkent Neighborhood Headman Özkan Uysal described the process as follows:

"We heard the news around 19.30 that nearly 30 dogs were stranded in the private shelter. The teams arrived. They have been working on this for about 3 hours. We rescued 10 of them. 17 are still inside. But none of them are in any trouble. We are praying for that. But the flooding continues."

Animal lover Seren Şahin stated that they took action as soon as they received the news of the flood and said:

"The river overflowed, the dogs were stranded. They asked us for help. I announced it everywhere I could. The teams just arrived because there was a flood in Alanya. We rescued 10 of the dogs in the first stage. 17 are waiting to be rescued. I had been crying for hours thinking they were dead. Thank God they are alive. The puppies came first. We are waiting for the rest to be brought."

Another animal lover, Mürüvet Kuşçu, expressed their anxiety, saying, "It is enough for us that they have been rescued. All of us friends have been in a panic since the moment we heard. It was important that they were saved. This is enough for us."