Vending Machine in Turkey that Helps Animals and the Environment

While researching about popular eco-friendly designs around the world, I came upon this picture taken in Turkey.

A company called ?Pugedon? in Turkey has designed a vending machine for hungry stray cats and dogs. When an empty can or bottle is put into the upper part of the machine, water and food for animals come out from the other end.

This vending machine helps save the environment by encouraging citizens to recycle cans and bottles, while giving out food for stray animals at the same time.

The death toll of stray animals around the world is notably high in Turkey. Pugedon?s vending machine, however, is saving many of these lives from hunger. However, Pugedon?s vending machine can only be found in major cities like Istanbul, and there are not many people who know it.

Altruists vs. Critics

Not everyone is open to the idea of lining the streets with Pugedon?s vending machine. Those who disagree to Pugedon?s views claim that the number of stray dogs will increase when more vending machines are installed. When there are more stray dogs, problems associated with the spread of disease may begin to rise.

According to the German newspaper ?Deutsch Welle?, there are more than 150,000 stray animals living in Istanbul. In a country with a great number of stray animals like Turkey, there is always the danger of wild animals jumping on people – not just little kids, but full-grownups can also be attacked.

However, altruists believe that it is more important to save the lives of hungry animals.

In 2012, the Turkish government tried to carry out the policy of sending stray animals away to wild parks around urban hubs.

However, environmentalists criticized the government by saying that it was nothing different from 1910]s policy of sending stray dogs away to an isolated island. In 1910, the dogs left on the island had nothing to eat, so they either starved to death?or ate each other.

One the other hand, all dogs in Turkey are to be vaccinated under the surveillance of the government (to prevent the spread of rabies) – tags are put on the ears of dogs that are vaccinated or castrated. On the roads of Istanbul, 9 out of 10 dogs have these tags on their ears.

Though critics claim that the Pugedon system increases the danger of rabies and promotes the breeding of stray dogs, the government is already controlling these side effects through vaccination systems. Thus, it is unlikely that the Pugedon system will accompany danger.

Promoting altruism is not the only benefit of the Pugedon vending machine. The system can solve the problem of stray animals and recycling at the same time. There are laws for recycling in Turkey, of course, but many people still discard trash without care. All sorts of trash are put into one big plastic bag, when they have to be recycled. If the Pugedon system is used, more cans and plastic bottles will be recycled. In the long run, this will decrease the level of pollution in Turkey.

Happiness Brought Forward By Good Businesses

When authorities carried out a survey on dwellers in Istanbul, they found that less than half of the population knew about the Pugedon system. However, thanks to the survey, many people are now aware of the Pugedon vending machine. Most citizens showed great interest in the matter. Some citizens said:

-We should advertise the Pugedon vending machine on TV

-I wish that we will someday make a cleaner Turkey with the help of Pugedon

-I hope we?ll be able to create an environment where both animals and humans can live in peace

 

 

We live in a world without a heart. Some are alienated. Many are left out.

When we look back at those who suffer,

We will see what they need most?

And will find what we can contribute.

 

The Pugedon system in Turkey helps contribute to both the saving of animal lives and the conservation of the environment.

 

What are you doing in your country to save the environment?

 

Now is the time to find what you can do to help those in need.

 

 

Photos

1. (2012. 10. 21) <Yeonhap News>

2. www.facebook.com/pugedon1

3. www.facebook.com/pugedon1