Being a cat mum here in Portland. Istanbul’s street cats have a special place and meaning in my heart. When you are away from your cat for a month or two, Istanbul cats become your friends who accompany you when you miss your own cat. As goturkiye web site defines ‘After walking around for ten minutes in any neighborhood of Istanbul, any visitor will reach the same conclusion: Istanbul belongs to the cats. Here are some potential scenes you might encounter: One cat might shamelessly bask in the radiance of the sun on the hood of a car. Appearing out of nowhere, another might start rubbing on your legs as if you were a long-lost friend. A cat might curl up on a chair next to you as you dine at a sidewalk restaurant, patiently waiting for the leftovers. You might also see a gang of cool, nonchalant cats waiting for the scraps right outside the butcher shops and at fisherman’s stands. A dotty-looking, middle-aged lady might walk around carrying a bag full of cat food, attracting dozens of cats rushing at her from all directions. Under the unbreakable spell of its feline population, Istanbul is perhaps the most cat-friendly city in the world. The famous American novelist Ernest Hemingway once wrote, “One cat just leads to another.” It seems most Istanbulites have really taken this to heart. Around 150,000 street cats are roaming the streets. Not to mention the house cats staring gloomily out the windows all day long!
Istanbulites like me, we 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 its way. One might ride the city bus with you. Another might even cross the Bosphorus on the ferry. No one officially owns these stray cats, but somehow, they are adopted by everyone. “Put all its ancient history and magnificence aside, it is worthwhile to visit Istanbul, only for meeting its unique street cats. See you on the other side”.