Anyone who has been to the spectacular Turkish city of Istanbul will have noticed the sheer number of kitties on the streets in the great city. But it's not just cats, there are incalculable amounts of dogs on the streets there too. These kitty cats and pooches are going to be an unforgettable part of anyone's perfect weekend in Istanbul.
Istanbul is an incredible megacity of 15 million people that bridges Europe with Asia (quite literally). It boasts a very rich and storied history and perhaps the most iconic and one of the oldest buildings in Istanbul is the must-see Hagia Sophia (it is now even free to visit).
Istanbul And Its "Communal" Pets
Turks are famous for their love of animals that extends to a vibrant love of their street pets too. Normally in the West one thinks of pets and of strays. Pets have a home and are well taken care of while strays suffer out in the cold on the street. Strays are often thought of as undernourished and diseased. But this doesn't hold true for Istanbul.
There are many "stray" dogs and cats on the streets - indeed it is hard to find a view of a street without seeing several of them at once. But the "strays" are all well-fed and healthy. While the residents may be unable to accommodate another dog or cat in their homes, they routinely feed them and take them to the vets.
- "Stray": Stray Takes On A New Meaning In Istanbul - Perhaps Better To Think Of them As "Street Pets" or "Communal Pets" and Not "Strays"
Many Turks don't view stray cats and dogs as Westerners might. Instead, they are viewed more as communally owned pets and the country has a blanket no-kill, no capture policy.
Walking along the streets of Istanbul, one will see cat and dog food all along the streets. One will see cat boxes in parks and everywhere along the streets. The dogs will often be seen sleeping by someone's shop front. And no one shoos them away.
- Cat Food: Cat Food Can Be Seen Everywhere Along The Streets In Istanbul
Pooches In Istanbul
The dogs in Istanbul are not like the Ferrel flea-bitten and rabies-ridden dogs one sees in places like India. These doggies are all well fed and taken care of. One will see that these dogs are normally groomed and tagged in the city - even if they have no house to call home. Some estimates of the stray dog population put it at around 130,000.
- Taken Care Of: The "Stray" Dogs Are Taken Care Of And Are Often Tagged
- Dog Population: Estimated Around 130,000 In Istanbul
Far from being underfed, one can't help but notice just how overweight and obese these dogs often are. Dogs in Istanbul can be very lazy as they are often well overweight as the kind-hearted Istanbullers feed the pooches more and more.
Kitty Cats In Istanbul
It is a common sight to see Istanbullers walking around with their kitty backpacks taking the cats to a vet or to a friend's home. For those looking for a feline paradise, Istanbul could be it.
No one knows just how large the feral cat population in Istanbul is but estimates range from a hundred thousand to over a million strays. Those who have lived there for a while think it is likely to be on the higher end of the estimate.
- Cat Population: Estimates Range From 100,000 to Over A Million
The sheer number and acceptance cats of Istanbul can be connected with the Ottoman Empire times. In those days most of Istanbul's houses were made of wood and they were perfect for the proliferation of large mouse and rat populations. The cats then were very useful in controlling the population of these vermin and contributed to the long history of the city accepting the felines as a part of the city.
Another school of thought is that cats are viewed as clean animals in Islam and are well received in much of the Islamic world.
- Acceptance Of Cats: May Steam From Cats Controlling Mouse and Rat Populations
Today as one wanders the streets of Istanbul one will be amazed by just how many cats are staring back. Walk along the waterfront in Moda and watch the ferries crossing and the cargo ships heading up to the Black Sea and one will see dozens or hundreds of cats among the rocks.
Turkey may have its share of problems, but it is united by its love of cats. To read more about the pampered cats of Istanbul, the Guardian ran a great article on the topic.