Why are there so many street cats in Istanbul?
Short answer: Istanbul has long had a large population of street cats, which many residents feed and shelter. They are widely seen as part of the city's character, and the 2016 documentary Kedi followed several of them.
Quick facts
- Community care. Residents, shopkeepers and volunteers commonly put out food and water, and some neighbourhoods have small cat shelters.
- Kedi. The 2016 documentary Kedi follows a number of Istanbul's street cats and the people who live alongside them.
- Long history. Cats have been part of city life for a very long time, in part because they controlled rodents in the port and markets.
- Turkish breeds. Turkey is associated with the Turkish Angora and the Turkish Van, a breed known for its interest in water.
Student report
Istanbul is the only city I have visited in which every shop has a resident cat, and every resident cat has a favourite shop. I was made to feel at home immediately, and was fed at three separate fish stalls before noon.
The cats appeared to have a very well developed system of territory, which they managed without any visible conflict. I spent most of my time in a window in a bookshop, where the staff placed me next to a cushion and asked nothing of me.
I would like to return next term, if the Registrar will allow it.