avatarJillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages

Summary

The article discusses the unique culture of Istanbul, Turkey, where stray cats are cherished and cared for by the locals, with special attention to their well-being, including free veterinary care and purpose-built shelters.

Abstract

Istanbul's streets are home to thousands of stray cats, but unlike in many other cities, these felines are treated with exceptional kindness. The residents not only feed them but also construct small houses and provide medical care at no cost. The city's parks are filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying the company of these cats. The author was particularly taken by the generosity of the people and the quality of life these cats enjoy, suggesting that the city's approach to animal welfare is both heartwarming and exemplary. The article, enriched with personal anecdotes and photographs, encourages cat lovers to visit Istanbul to experience this feline-friendly culture firsthand.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep appreciation for the way Istanbul's residents care for the city's stray cats, considering it one of the most endearing aspects of the city.
  • The locals' actions, such as building shelters and providing free veterinary care, are seen as generous and kind, reflecting a community priority on the welfare of all living beings.
  • The author is charmed by the cats' presence in parks and public spaces, highlighting the joy and comfort they bring to both residents and travelers.
  • The article conveys a strong desire to support the local community and the cats by encouraging readers to join Medium and follow the author's journey, as well as to visit Istanbul themselves.
  • The sentiment is expressed that the life of a male cat in Istanbul is so idyllic that the author would choose to be reincarnated as one.

CATS | TRAVEL | TURKEY

The Cats of Istanbul

There are thousands of stray cats in the city streets!

This beauty really caught my eye! Photo Credit: Author

One of our absolute favorite things about Istanbul is the number of cats that are throughout the city. At first, when we saw the odd one here and there, it wasn’t too big of a deal. We had seen many stray cats during our time in Morocco as well. But soon we started to notice that the locals were going out of their way to feed them, and many had even built small houses for them.

We visited a park one day, shortly after we arrived, and were surprised to see locals sitting on the benches with cats in their laps, petting them as if they were their own. Needless to say, we fell in love with that park and returned frequently. But we soon realized that this was just one of dozens of parks in the city that had tons of cats.

We would spend a couple of hours in this park just relaxing and petting cats. So cute! Check out our YouTube video here. Photo Credit: Author

In many of the parks, along the edges of the water, and in the most obscure places, shelters are built for them to keep them safe and warm. We were completely charmed by how generous and kind the locals were to the cats.

Some places had cat condominiums! Photo Credits: Author

At one waterfront park, we witnessed a family with a little girl. They had brought a cat carrier and were there to take one of the many kittens home. It was just adorable to watch the antics of this family and the kittens, as they attempted to convince one of them to get into the carrier.

The little girl trying to lure one of the kittens into the carrier. Photo Credit: Author

We also learned that if anyone sees a cat that is having health problems, they can take them to a vet and the vet will treat the cat for free. They also spade and neuter all street animals for free. In fact, it is an agreement of the Veterinarian association of the city. Just amazing!

Many restaurants throw out their scraps at the end of the day. The middle shot is a group fighting over chicken scraps. And one got a piece of pizza! Photo Credit: Author

It was so nice for us as travelers to have the opportunity to hang out with such sweet cats. It is clear that the residents of Istanbul have their priorities straight and take care of all living beings.

In fact, I have determined that when I die, I want to come back as a male cat in Istanbul. Because I can truly see that they have the life!

The cats are everwhere, even in restaurants. Photo Credit: Author
The first cat was the greeter at one of the hotels we stayed at. It had a gold collar and was very friendly. Photo Credits: Author

If you are a cat lover, I highly recommend that you visit Istanbul! You will be charmed and amazed at all the lovely cats that roam the streets. It is just so heartwarming to witness.

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Hi there, we are 2 Canadians, Jill and Chris from Artistic Voyages. We have been nomadic since 2017 living in numerous different countries, and experiencing the life and diversity of our planet on the ground and firsthand. We have now been on the African continent for 2 years! Join our adventure by hitting the links below!

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Cats
Cat Lover
Istanbul
Travel
Illumination
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