Gender and Care Work for Street Animals in Türkiye
Society and Animals, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1163/15685306-bja10300
- Journal Name: Society and Animals
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Periodicals Index Online, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, MLA International Bibliography, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: care work, gender, speciesism, street animals
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
This study explores volunteers’ care work for dogs and cats who live on the street. It focuses on how gendered aspects affect the social value that is attributed to this work. In-depth interviews with caretakers indicate that care work is gendered in all aspects: routine work, emotional and managerial dimensions, experience, and skills development. Organizational and managerial skills, as well as emotional involvement, are essential parts of this work. Findings indicate that the work is devalued by trivialization, gendered pathologization with care work for humans, and violence inflicted on volunteers. Gender stereotypes emphasizing “feminine emotionality” and “masculine rationality” are responsible for the devaluation. In accordance with the findings, subordinate masculinity, familialism, and speciesism deepen gender differences in care work.