Why Istanbul is known as Catstanbul: a city where strays are communal pets

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In Istanbul, thousands of cats roam freely through classrooms, subways, and ferries, treated not as pests but as beloved, shared residents. This unique relationship, rooted in history and religious tradition, has transformed the city into a global icon for animal welfare, despite a complex history of state-led extermination campaigns.

The presence of cats in Istanbul dates back to the Phoenician era, when they arrived on trading ships to control rodent populations. During the Ottoman period, the city’s wooden architecture provided ample shelter for rats and mice, making cats an essential necessity for residents. This long-standing bond fostered the role of the mancacı, or cat sitter, a profession dedicated to feeding the city's feline population. Today, this legacy persists in the form of neighborhood cat houses, public vending machines for animal food, and a cultural consensus that views street animals as communally owned pets.

However, this history is marked by periods of state-sanctioned violence. In the 1830s, authorities launched mass slaughters of cats and dogs, a trend that continued into the 20th century. Under the presidency of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the Istanbul Municipality conducted routine extermination operations using poison. These campaigns reached a peak in 1996, when authorities killed over 200,000 animals ahead of the UN Habitat II Convention. Such actions stood in stark contrast to the prevailing cultural and religious attitudes that generally favor the protection of cats.

Modern legislation has shifted significantly toward protection. Before 2021, animals were legally classified as commodities, but new laws now recognize them as living beings, imposing jail sentences of up to four years for animal cruelty. While studies have identified various pathogens in the stray population, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and Toxoplasma gondii, these risks have not dampened the public's affection. Today, cats are even utilized as symbols of Turkish soft power, appearing frequently in social media and documentaries like the 2016 film Kedi, cementing the city's reputation as a sanctuary for its millions of feline inhabitants.

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