Five-star ‘cat town’ in Turkey's north

SAMSUN – Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

A “cat town” established on a 10,000-square-meter plot in the Black Sea province of Samsun is home to stray cats in the city. Cats spend their time, eat and play in the cat town, located in an animal care center for helpless and unattended cats. 

As the town’s number of cats has increased to 60, works are continuing to double the town’s size. 

The cat town opened last year after two years of work. Wooden shelters were placed in the town for cats living in groups or alone as well as playgrounds like wooden bridge and swing. 

Stray cats that are brought to the facility are neutered and placed in a separate place in order to adapt. They are then moved in with the town’s other cat population. 

Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Veterinary Director Nurhan İşler said the center opened in 2013. 

“Last year we developed the cat town concept. We created an atmosphere for cats to live in their natural atmosphere. Now we have 60 cats; they are neutered and have microchips. They eat their food in the morning, stroll around in the facility during the day and come to the shelter at night. We have the capacity for 500 cats,” İşler said, adding that cat town’s second stage would be finished by the end of 2016.