ISTANBUL — In a sweeping new directive, Istanbul authorities have ordered all district municipalities to immediately halt the uncontrolled feeding of stray animals, accelerate the construction of shelters, and intensify efforts to collect stray dogs. The circular, signed by Istanbul Governor Davut Gül and issued by Türkiye’s nature conservation authority, marks a significant shift in the city’s approach to managing its vast stray animal population.
The directive warns that scattered feeding points across the city pose serious public health, environmental, and safety risks—including surges in rodent and pest populations. Feeding activities will now be restricted to designated areas, with particular attention to sensitive zones such as schoolyards, hospitals, places of worship, parks, and playgrounds.
In addition to curbing street feeding, the order calls for municipalities to expedite the collection, neutering, and rehabilitation of stray dogs. It also urges the rapid development of newly allocated plots for shelter construction.
A Shift in National Policy
This move follows Türkiye’s controversial overhaul of its stray dog legislation, which replaced the long-standing “catch-neuter-release” model with mandatory sheltering. Under the revised Animal Protection Law—adopted in July 2024 and enacted later that year—municipalities are required to collect stray animals, neuter them, and house them in shelters until adoption.
While the law mandates that shelters be built or upgraded by December 31, 2028, officials have clarified that the obligation to collect and house stray animals is already in effect and cannot be postponed.
Türkiye is estimated to have around 4 million stray dogs, yet only 322 shelters currently exist, with a combined capacity of just 105,000. Plans to expand shelter capacity to accommodate all stray dogs by 2028—and to provide adequate food—have sparked concern among animal welfare advocates and urban planners alike.
Governor’s Remarks and the Cat Controversy
The directive comes on the heels of Governor Gül’s televised remarks criticizing widespread street feeding, which he claimed disrupts Istanbul’s ecological balance.
“In Istanbul, cats don’t hunt mice anymore,” Gül said. “Cats are fed with kibble, and the mice eat from the same food. This situation needs to be rectified.”
He emphasized that the initiative is “not about rounding up cats,” but rather about regulating feeding practices. “Feeding should not occur wherever people wish,” he warned, noting that regular feeding turns public spaces into territorial zones for animals.
A City of Cats Faces Change
Often dubbed the “City of Cats” or affectionately “Catstanbul,” Istanbul has long been known for its deep-rooted culture of caring for stray felines. Residents routinely place food and water bowls along sidewalks and build small shelters for cats in their neighborhoods.
The city’s feline fame reached global audiences in 2016 with the release of the documentary Kedi, which followed the lives of several street cats and grossed over $4 million at the box office—making it one of the most successful foreign-language films ever.
