Istanbul's Street Cats

Spend some time walking around any part of Istanbul, and you will realise that Istanbul belongs to the cats. Cats of all colours, sizes and ages can be found just about everywhere in the city. They are the unimpressed, uninterested bystanders to the hectic pace of city life, and they have a devoted public that makes sure they are fed, sheltered, and cared for at all times.Let's learn more about the cats of Istanbul, which cannot be denied as an integral part of the city👇The famous American writer Ernest Hemingway once wrote: 'One cat leads to another'. It seems that most Istanbulites have taken this to heart. There are around 150,000 stray cats roaming the streets. Not to mention the domestic cats that stare out of windows all day long!Istanbulites grow up with cats in the house and on the street, sharing the city with them. The tram will stop if the driver sees a cat drinking water from a puddle on the way. One might travel with you on the city bus. Another might even cross the Bosphorus on a ferry. No one officially owns these stray cats, but somehow, they are adopted by everyone.They put out bowls of food and water and always contribute to the medical expenses of the sick and injured. Many street corners are filled with cat shelters and feeding stations. It is common for locals to carry cat food in their pockets in case they come across a hungry feline friend.Some people say that cats in Istanbul have an enviable life and are the only ones who get to enjoy the city to the full. Given that they get to sleep 12-16 hours a day and spend a third of their waking hours grooming, eating tasty food and roaming the streets of Istanbul, they could be right.Having held a special place in the heart of the city for centuries, Istanbul's cats are thought to have originated in Egypt, where they were first domesticated. The ancient Egyptians regarded cats as sacred creatures, and in Mesopotamia (part of modern-day Turkey) they were used to protect crops from rodents. Scientists believe that cats spread from Anatolia to the rest of the world around 10,000 years ago.They became the true symbols of the city under the rule of the Ottoman Empire. While the sultans kept large, exotic cats such as leopards, cheetahs and tigers in Topkapı Palace (technically, a domestic cat is about 95% tiger in its genetic makeup), local charitable foundations ensured that stray animals were properly cared for. And Istanbul's love of cats was embodied by an actual profession called mancacı, which means cat sitter.Working for these foundations, mancacıs were responsible for feeding stray cats. City dwellers could buy food from them and feed the animals themselves, or donate money. This tradition continued in Istanbul until the 70s. Surrounded by dozens of cats shooting out in all directions, the mancacıs must have looked like the 'crazy' cat ladies of today. Cats also had a function in Ottoman Istanbul. As most houses were made of wood, cats were essential to keep the rats away.According to an urban legend, sailors all over the world kept cats on their ships to fight the rats aboard. When these ships docked at a port near Cihangir, these foreign cats would disembark and climb up to this historic neighbourhood. While they were exploring the area, their ships would leave without them, and they would have to settle down in the city, bringing diversity to the street cats.Today, in the bohemian Cihangir district, cats are the real bosses. Gangs of multicoloured cats roam its streets, lounging in every imaginable position, much to the annoyance of seagulls and crows. Cihangir even inspired a comic strip character called Bad Cat Şerafettin, a thuggish cat whose adventures were later made into an animated comedy.Moda, one of the city's trendiest areas, is perhaps the happiest place in Istanbul thanks to its cat population. From its stunning seafront to its cosy streets, this neighbourhood seems to be divided between cats and dogs, who live happily side by side. But if you want to see street cats in their 'natural habitat', take a stroll through Maçka, Göztepe and Fenerbahçe parks. Dominated by cats, these parks are the embodiment of Istanbul's feline obsession.Tombili (nickname for a chubby cat) from the Kadıkoy district became an internet sensation after a photo of her lying on the pavement went viral. She is now commemorated with a bronze statue following an online campaign after her death. But Istanbul's most famous cat is probably Gli. One of the dozens of cats born and raised in the iconic Hagia Sophia mosque, she shot to global fame after Barack Obama petted her. The green-eyed cat, who sadly passed away in 2020, has an Instagram account dedicated to her with thousands of followers.Source: BBCSo here are a few tips on how to approach them: Try to be considerate when trying to pet a cat. Some are very friendly to humans, but others prefer to be left alone. You could try crouching down, getting down to the cat's level and slowly bringing your hand up to its nose to sniff. If the reaction is positive, you can give it a pat and then some. If not, don't force it and watch out for the quick claw! They say that in a cat's eye, everything is fair game. Maybe it's best to let the cat make the first move.

Cat City of Turkey: Istanbul's Friendly Street Cats

Istanbul is perhaps the most cat-friendly city in the world.

This large community of cat lovers feels they have to care for all the cats on the streets.

Caretaker of street cats

As one of Istanbul's oldest inhabitants, cats have seen the rise and fall of empires.

Cihangir and Moda are considered as the cat centers of Istanbul.

Stray cats are a clear indicator of a neighbourhood's happiness.

Two cats of Istanbul have become world-famous.

No doubt you will meet many unique feline characters in Istanbul.

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