The Fantastic Relationship Between Istanbul and Its Cats!

Istanbul, the most important metropolis in Turkey, is thought for a lot of issues: its unbelievable landmarks, rocking nightlife, historic significance, and the attractive relationship between town and its cats. Have been you stunned to be taught the final one? I used to be too!

A number of hundred thousand cats roam the streets of Turkey’s largest metropolis, and every appears to be as cared for because the people that dwell there. Istanbul has a protracted historical past of caring for its feline residents that goes means again to town’s origin within the Ottoman Empire, so it is smart that the cats are so effectively cared for.

Preserve studying to be taught extra about why cats are so extremely revered in Istanbul and what the residents do to make sure the well being of their strays.

The Historical past of Cats in Istanbul

Cats’ prevalence in Istanbul could also be linked again to Ottoman occasions. The Ottoman Empire, often known as the Turkish Empire, managed many international locations in Europe, Asia, and Africa between the 14th and twentieth centuries. A lot of the properties constructed in these occasions had been fabricated from wooden, offering shelter and enabling the proliferation of mice and rats. And everybody is aware of the place there are mice, there are cats. So the presence of cats grew to become a necessity for town as a way of controlling the vermin inhabitants.

Why Are There Nonetheless So Many Cats in Istanbul?

It is smart that town’s cat inhabitants was excessive in the course of the Ottoman Empire to manage the mouse inhabitants. However why are there nonetheless so many within the metropolis immediately?

There isn’t a lot of a tradition for spaying and neutering in Istanbul. Most stray cats will solely dwell between three and 6 years, however the inhabitants continues to develop. Turkey additionally has a blanket no-kill, no-capture coverage, which can add to the cat inhabitants.

How Do Folks in Istanbul Deal with Cats?

Istanbul’s road cats are a definite a part of everybody’s lives. An unstated rule for the residents of Istanbul is that they supply stray cats with the requirements of life—meals, shelter, and water. The general public gardens and parks have meals and water dishes for feline guests, and householders construct shelters for the strays so that they all the time have someplace protected and heat to sleep. Sadly, because the inhabitants of cats continues to be rising within the metropolis, there aren’t sufficient little shelters to deal with them.

One other unstated rule for town’s residents is that they view the strays as belonging to everybody and nobody concurrently. This ends in the cats having freedom and independence whereas making certain they’ve meals, water, and shelter wherever they want it.

It’s commonplace for cash in tip containers at eating places to go towards veterinary payments for sick animals or for fishermen to sneak an anchovy to one of many strays hanging out at his stand. Many Istanbulites really feel it’s their responsibility to take care of the cats that hang around the place they dwell and work.

Cats sit atop vehicles, nap on rooftops, and hand around in native eating places. I can’t think about a relationship like that with the stray cats I discover right here in Canada. Whereas I’d fortunately love any stray cat I see, I do know I’m within the minority. Our feral cats have little to no human interplay and should not thought of communally-owned pets like these in Istanbul. Strays in North America are left on the streets within the chilly to fend for themselves. They’re checked out as diseased and undesirable.

Turkey’s new animal welfare regulation defines animals as residing beings, not commodities. Earlier laws punished cases of animal cruelty with small fines as animals had been seen as commodities (corresponding to the destruction of property). Now, individuals who kill, abuse, or torture animals will obtain jail time between six months to 4 years.

Cats & Islam

Turkey is a predominately Islamic nation, and Islam has lengthy revered the cat, so the nation isn’t distinctive amongst different primarily Muslim international locations. Cats are thought of the quintessential pet by Muslims and are revered for his or her cleanliness in Islamic custom. Their ritual cleanliness permits them entry into properties and mosques.

Cats have lengthy been commemorated within the Islam faith. The Islamic prophet Muhammad prohibited individuals from persecuting and killing cats, and his companion, Abu Hurayra, was identified for his attachment to cats. Abu Hurayra actually interprets to “Father of a Kitten”.

Muezza, a black and white Absynnian, was stated to be Muhammad’s favourite cat. Someday as he was getting ready to attend prayer, he discovered Muezza catching a nap on the sleeve of his prayer gown. So as an alternative of disrupting her sleep, he reduce the sleeve off his gown so he wouldn’t disturb her.

Istanbul Cats in Pop Tradition

Istanbul’s cats are a widely known phenomenon internationally.

There’s a documentary in regards to the lovely relationship between people and 7 of Istanbul’s most beloved metropolis cats. Kedi, a 2016 documentary, obtained crucial acclaim and was even named one in all Time journal’s high movies of 2017.

A Fb web page referred to as Cats of Istanbul has over 81,000 likes, and the Instagram web page of the identical title has over 23,000 followers.

Gli, a European Shorthair cat, rose to fame for residing within the Hagia Sophia, a mosque and historic website in Istanbul. She grew to become well-known when former president Barack Obama visited the mosque in 2009 and was photographed petting her. Gli sadly handed away in 2020, however not earlier than gaining an Instagram following of 112,000.

Remaining Ideas

The connection between Istanbul and its cats is a ravishing one. Take a go to to town, and also you’ll be amazed at what number of cats you come throughout. We might be taught one thing within the West about methods to deal with our unhoused cats and canines. We might deal with our strays with as a lot reverence and love as Istanbulites deal with theirs.

Featured Picture Credit score: Tom Prejeant, Unsplash

Concerning the writer

Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to every other. With a ardour to teach the general public about the whole lot, there’s to find out about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of aware residing – and loving!