If you ever visit Istanbul, you’ll notice something right away: cats are everywhere. They hang out in parks, wander through cafés, nap in shop windows, and even stretch out in mosques. But how did this city become cat central? Istanbul has always been a major port city, meaning ships were constantly coming and going. Sailors brought cats along to chase away rats and mice, and over time, those cats stayed. By the time of the Ottoman Empire (14th–20th century), cats were just part of everyday life walking the streets, chilling in courtyards, and even protecting books in libraries from rodents. In Islamic tradition, cats are seen as clean and special animals, and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have loved them. Because of this, hurting cats was a big no no. In fact, people were encouraged to feed and care for them. Some wealthy Ottomans even set up charities just to make sure street cats had food and shelter. Mosques often doubled as safe spots for cats, and you can still see that today. Ottoman art and poetry sometimes featured cats, and even the architecture was designed with them in mind tiny holes were built into walls and doors so cats could move around freely. Istanbul itself is basically a paradise for cats. The neighborhoods are full of winding streets, gardens, and open markets where cats can find food and shelter. Plus, the climate is pretty mild, so it never gets too cold for them. Even now, Istanbul’s residents take care of their furry neighbors. People put out bowls of water and food, build little cat shelters, and let them wander into shops and cafés. Instead of rounding them up like many Western cities do, Istanbul has a “catch, fix, and release” system cats are neutered and vaccinated, then returned to their neighborhood to live freely. For Istanbul, cats aren’t just strays they’re part of the city’s identity. Locals see them as tiny citizens who belong just as much as humans do. There’s even a famous documentary called KEDI that shows how deeply connected the city and its cats are. So yeah, Istanbul’s love for cats isn’t new it’s a tradition that’s been alive for centuries.