Türkiye’s Famed Street Cats Face Uncertain Future

Long celebrated as symbols of charm and coexistence in Türkiye’s cities, street cats are now at the center of mounting concern as a government-led animal control campaign expands.

The authorities have begun collecting stray cats in growing numbers under the pretext of public health and safety, The Caspian Post reports via Kazakh media.

The effort stems from a 2024 law originally introduced to manage the stray dogs, which is now being broadly applied to cats.

Animal welfare groups warn that many of the rounded-up cats are being transported to underdeveloped regions, where they are left to fend for themselves, or placed in overcrowded, unsanitary shelters. In both scenarios, survival rates are low.

Advocates point to a significant increase in the number of stray animals in recent months, attributing it to rising veterinary costs and the departure of foreign residents, many of whom left pets behind after facing visa and residency issues.

The law mandates the immediate removal of stray animals from public areas. While municipalities have until 2028 to build or expand shelter capacity, the enforcement of removal orders is already active. Failure to comply could result in fines of 71,965 Turkish liras (around $2,000) per stray animal.

As public awareness grows, many citizens are voicing opposition online. The hashtag #SokakHayvanlarıSahipsizDeğil ("Street animals are not ownerless") has gained momentum on X, with users calling for compassion and community responsibility. Many urge residents to leave out food, water, and temporary shelters for animals displaced by the crackdown.

One viral post summed up the sentiment: “If dogs and cats live peacefully on a street, that street is reliable. If not, neither the street, nor the neighborhood, nor the city is truly livable.”