International Cat Day – First, They Came for the Dogs. Now, It’s the Cats.
For centuries, the street cats of Turkey have been a living symbol of harmony between humans and animals. They’ve wandered through ancient marketplaces, curled up on café chairs, and stretched lazily in the sun-warmed stone courtyards of mosques. Fed by strangers, loved by many, they have always belonged here.
But now, that belonging is under threat.
From Cultural Icons to Convenient Scapegoats
Not long ago, Turkey’s stray dogs became the target of a relentless wave of propaganda. Sensational headlines, edited videos, and exaggerated statistics recast them as dangerous, dirty, and unwanted. Public opinion was carefully shaped to make cruelty seem like “control.”
It worked. Thousands of dogs paid the price.
And now, the same script is being rewritten — only this time, the target is cats.
The Shift You’re Not Supposed to Notice
Cats that were once celebrated in viral travel videos and news features are now showing up in entirely different headlines — accused of spreading disease, damaging property, and threatening public health.
These stories don’t happen by accident. They are part of a deliberate effort to turn the public against street cats, softening resistance to harsher measures — measures that, as we’ve seen before, can end in tragedy.
Why This Matters Today
International Cat Day is meant to be a celebration. But celebrations mean nothing if they take place in silence while the very animals we honour are vilified.
This isn’t just about cats. It’s about truth. It’s about refusing to let fear and lies erase a relationship that has lasted for centuries. It’s about protecting the soul of Turkey’s streets — the sights, sounds, and lives that make them unique.
What You Can Do Right Now
Speak up. When you see false or exaggerated stories about cats, challenge them. Share the truth.
Support the people who protect them. Feeders, rescuers, and welfare groups are the cats’ first and last line of defence.
Stay vigilant. The pattern is clear — and so is what happens if it goes unchallenged.
The street cats of Turkey have no voice in this fight. They cannot tell their side of the story. That’s up to us.
On International Cat Day, let’s do more than post cute photos. Let’s make sure that cats remain part of Turkey’s streets for generations to come — not just in memory, but in life.
📢 Stand with Turkey’s cats. Fight the propaganda. Defend their place in our world.