Cats Rule the World
At the very least they rule Turkey!
If you have ever been to Turkey, particularly Istanbul, or seen social media posts highlighting Istanbul, you’ve seen the cats. Cats of Istanbul is a popular Instagram account. Stylized cats adorn all sorts of tchotchke here from pillow cases and tote bags to ceramics. There’s even good trade being done in cat portraits.
You’re probably thinking: “That’s interesting. You have a lot of stray cats. So?”
The “so” is that it’s about so much more than stray cats. It’s about the spirit and heart of a people.
Istanbul, a City of Cats
Several theories exist as to the abundant presence of cats in Istanbul. One highlights Ottoman architecture as the key culprit. Structures built during the Ottoman reign were primarily comprised of wood and had numerous nooks and crannies in which mice and rats could live. Having a cat was therefore a necessity to keep the rodent population at bay.
Another theory is similar in nature. Istanbul has been a port and trading city for centuries. Before modern conveniences that helped control ship-board rat populations, cats were as vital a crew member as the bo’s’n (bosun, or boatswain to you landlubbers). Like the crew, cats disembarked at their leisure upon reaching the city shores. Unlike the crew, they had no compelling reason to return to the ship.
Regardless of how they came, city officials estimate that the cat population here numbers in the hundreds of thousands to a million!
Communal Pets
Most people view the street cats (sokak kedileri) in Istanbul and across Turkey as communal pets. People leave food and water bowls on streets, in front of shops, on walls… Pet houses are a common sight. Some of these are knocked together “structures” made either by piling boxes or old cat carries and covering them with something waterproof for protection. But, you can also buy from vets and pet stores small cat houses to erect on your street.
It is not uncommon for cafes and shops to have their own dedicated cat(s). It doesn’t matter how long I’ve lived here, I still giggle and take a picture when I see a cat curled in a display window or goods bin. They also hang out in the metro and public transportation system. It does not matter if they’re blocking a turn style of an escalator, Istanbullites just give the cat a pat and/or step over or around them.
Health and Safety
Cats equal fleas. So, do be aware of that while petting a sokak kedisi. But they are otherwise largely in good health. Vets often give steep discounts if you bring in a sick or injured street cat for treatment. In some districts, you can even do catch-and-release sterilization for free.
Animal cruelty is punishable by months to years in jail. Despite that and the relative kindness which Turks extend to street animals, animal cruelty and torture does happen. There are a number of charities, like Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey, Kurtaran Ev, Türkiye Hayvanları Koruma Derneği, and Tails of Hope that raise funds for emergency medical care, provide rescue/shelter services, foster and home animals, and more.
Should you ever be scared of street cats? Only if you’re allergic! Like all cats, if they don’t want pets, they’ll let you know. But many are thrilled to get whatever love they can and will happily make themselves at home in your lap while you sip coffee at a cafe.
Generosity of Spirit
People joke that I’m a ‘real Istanbulu’ since I adopted two street cats myself! The number of delivery guys I’ve had crouch down and try to coax one of my scaredy-cat girls out of hiding…
The 2016 film Kedi certainly romanticizes the “good life” cats here have. But, at the end of the day, it’s not all that far off the mark. There’s a lot of insecurity surrounding their situation; rather like all of us here at the moment.
As I said earlier, street cats here reflect the sprit and heart of Turks. While Turkish hospitality may feel forced or fake in the heavily touristed areas of Istanbul, it nonetheless is a real thing. This hospitality extends to animals as much as to people; easily seen in the amount of food left out for the cats (and dogs!), the cat houses, and people’s attitude towards the street animals.
And let me tell you something, unlike most medium to large cities, we do not have a rodent problem!