The Cats (& Humans) of Istanbul

Getting to know the cats (kedi) of Istanbul, Turkey, and the locals who care for them.

The perception internationally is that Istanbul is a paradise for cats — a place where humans and cats live in harmony. But is this true? In this video, we explore the cat-obsessed neighborhood of Cihangir on the European side of Istanbul. Here is our experience on the ground with the cats of Istanbul and our encounters with the locals who interact with them every day.

HOW TO FIND ALI

HOW TO FIND HILARY

OUR GEAR 🎥

FOLLOW US 👇

Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. Thank you for supporting our channel so we can continue providing you with free content!

[キョリュークルカーン]

Japan has cat cafés, Türkiye is a cat café on its own.

[HzBiceps]

In Turkey, we have a saying. Before moving to a place, look at the behavior of the street cats and dogs there. If the animals don't run away from you, it means people there treat animals well and it's a suitable place to live.

[dejavuwampas]

If a totally blind cat can survive, well fed and friendly, you know that this neighborhood has good people in it.

[sesi]

When I came from Istanbul to USA I saw stray cats escaping from humans. Which was so weird to me. In Istanbul, stray cats never run away from you because they all know we love and take care of them. They would instantly let you pet. I wish everywhere in the world would become this way one day.

[AreaGameDistrict]

Really love the turkish people that are good for this cats. I will donate the cat men if i go to istanbul . Greetings from holland🇳🇱

[zdilara]

This happens in every single neighborhood in Istanbul not only Cihangir. It's an everyday life scene here.

[agatanor]

I am a Turkish person living in Istanbul. Despite having a very low salary, every month I buy a sack of food for animals, and sometimes I walk through all the streets and distribute it. Occasionally, I directly leave it at animal shelters, and I do this by choosing different animals every month. For example, this month, I bought a large amount of cat food, and if I have enough money next month, I plan to get food for dogs.

[_boracic_atreus_]

God bless the people of Istanbul for taking such good care of them

[Unxpekted]

This might sound bizarre but I cried watching this. I have been dealing with addiction for the past two decades and I adopted a kitten from the shelter several months ago. I used to use in front of her and she loved me no less. I have been 17 days sober but realize I wasted the past several years of my life. Somehow this cat has brought me so much joy and I’m forever grateful for her. Seeing the humanity in this town is so beautiful and something that is lacking in DC where I live.

[canaltan]

45 yaşındayım ve İstanbul'da doğup büyüdüm. Evimizde de bahcemizde de her zaman kedi olurdu. Hatta bahcedeki sokak kedileri bazen eve girip doğum yapardı. Annem mecburen hepsine bakardı. Abartı değil gerçekten İstanbul kedi şehri.

[tytania]

The cool thing is that they also have animal hospitals that work on fixing them so the population doesn't go overwhelming. The animals also recognize the hospitals and there are videos of mama cats bringing their kittens in.

[Feeding-Stray-Cats]

Cats of Istanbul are angels & the people who feed them also angels, it's like light upon light & it's paradise city indeed full of angels!

[DeadHandX]

I have a new level of respect for the turkish ❤

[Dei_Kei]

The blind cat literally brought tears to my eyes ! Just look at the trust of these cats on their hoomans & the happiness exuded by their presence !

[carbonoksit]

While I was in Turkey, my Turkish friend told me to look at the stray animals of the place you are moving to. If it's friendly to people, it's a good neighbourhood. If they are running away from people, he said stay away from that neighborhood 🙂

[kursatoz.]

Istanbul is the capital of cats... Even in the modern complex, there are dozens of cats roaming freely in the garden and inside the buildings. As soon as you enter the building, they surround you and meow.

[anastasia_]

A week ago I went to a fancy mall with my family in Istanbul. We saw not one but TWO beautiful and well fed cats sleeping on the wooden seats inside the mall. They were so cute.

[vertex]

Лет десять назад узнал что в Турции очень аккуратно и порой с большой любовью относятся к кошкам. Вы не поверите но именно этот факт стал главным условием того что я взглянул на Турцию и турков с совершенно другой стороны. И я стал очень уважать турок благодаря кошкам, парадокс. К слову я из России.

[danirocket]

I never knew ANYTHING about Turkey or Istanbul. And now I feel like I MUST go there before I die 😊

[Lenny.]

I love cats. I lost my boy, a Turkish Angora, ten months ago, after having had him for 15 years and I miss him so much. He was pure magic and he was my best friend 😢