If street cats are running toward you with love, it means you're in Istanbul.

Istanbul. A City of Millions, Yet a Haven for Stray Cats. Today, we are focusing on just a tiny fraction of this immense metropolis—a small coastal area on a street in a neighborhood within a district. The cats you’ll see in this video represent only a grain of sand in an ocean, a mere glimpse of the iceberg's visible tip. If street cats don't run away from you but instead run towards you, then you must be in Istanbul.

Although most of the cats in this area have been spayed or neutered, you will still encounter many kittens. Why? Because people who don't want stray cats in their streets often collect them and abandon them here, without ever considering sterilization. Ironically, while some argue that neutering cats is a sin, they believe they are earning good deeds by leaving these innocent souls to survive here. This cycle of abandonment means that, despite our efforts, it is impossible to keep the local cat population under control.

At Adorable Paws, we take on the responsibility that many shy away from. We spay and neuter, treat, vaccinate, and find loving homes for these cats. Most importantly, we build durable cat houses to provide them with a safe haven. In this video, you’ll see some of the shelters we’ve built for our beloved street cats.

Let’s address a concern that many viewers may have: the cat houses you see on the rocks. Some of these shelters have been standing strong for five years, enduring the harshest weather conditions and providing warmth and safety to countless cats. None of the shelters we’ve built are water-permeable, ensuring that the cats remain dry even in heavy rains.

One of the most common questions we receive is about the location of the cat houses. Many criticize the fact that they are mounted on the rocks. However, this placement is not by choice but by necessity. Here's why:

Building shelters on green spaces owned by the metropolitan municipality is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, if cat houses are placed in visible green areas, they are often reported by people and subsequently removed by local authorities. The rocks, being state-owned land, are beyond municipal jurisdiction, allowing us to safely place the houses there.
Another critical reason is the threat of stray dog attacks. On the rocks, cats can escape into crevices and hide if they are chased by dogs. If the shelters were placed in open green spaces, the cats would have no safe escape route, making them vulnerable to attacks.
Please rest assured that every cat house is firmly secured and heavy enough to withstand movement. These shelters are built to last and to protect.

By the end of today, no cat in this area will go hungry. Every single one will enjoy a delicious meal of cat food. For the newly abandoned and timid cats, we’ve stocked plenty of food inside the shelters to make sure they have enough to eat when they feel safe to come out.

Lastly, it’s worth mentioning that Istanbul’s street cats are rarely without access to water. Thanks to the numerous water bowls and public fountains scattered throughout the city, hydration is never a concern for these resilient felines.

Together, we can make a difference. Watch our other videos, support our mission, and be part of this incredible journey to bring hope, safety, and love to Istanbul’s street cats.