Turkiye’s Cats

One of the lesser-known yet oldest inhabitants of Anatolia, our four-legged, charming fellows: Cats.

In Türkiye, you can find cats on almost every street and around every corner. It is believed that cats, which have become a part of our daily lives, spread to the world from what is now Turkish territory about 10,000 years ago.

DNA analysis suggests that the ancestors of cats likely came from the area around the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, and that the first farmers used them to combat rodents.

In addition to the famous Van Cats and Ankara Cats, known worldwide for their colorful eyes and silky, elegant patterned fur, many other types of cats, such as the tabby and orange tabby commonly seen on the streets, live in Türkiye.

Home to over 150 thousand stray cats, Istanbul is called the “Cat Capital of the World”. Street cats, which have become almost recognizable faces of the neighborhoods they live in, beautify the atmosphere of the city and attract the attention of tourists visiting Türkiye.

Cat houses placed in various parts of the city by municipalities and animal lovers, cat-specialized hospitals, and the sincere relationship of Turkish people with cats are the most important indicators of cat love in Turkish culture.

Cats also hold a special place in Islam and have become the beloved mascots of mosque congregations. Cats have become a part of the peaceful atmosphere in many mosques, especially Hagia Sophia.

Whether in a café, a park, at school, or anywhere else in the city… In short, Türkiye’s cats are with us in almost every moment of life.