Last Updated on 4 June 2024 by Vanessa
Dalyan in Turkey is famous for its endangered loggerhead sea turtles, drawing many tourists to its Iztuzu beach each year.
However, cat lovers should also consider visiting this picturesque destination. The town is teeming with free-roaming cats, cared for by the community and local businesses.
But why are there so many cats in Dalyan? And what is the connection between the inhabitants and their cats?
Cats in Dalyan, Turkey
Where is Dalyan in Turkey?
Before we dive into the importance of cats in Dalyan, let’s cover a bit of geography.
Dalyan is a town in the Muğla Province of southwestern Turkey. It’s situated on the Dalyan River, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea near the town of Ortaca. While a well-known tourist destination, it is more off the beaten path and not as crowded as other Turkish hotspots like Fethiye and Bodrum.
Dalyan is famous for its ancient Lycian tombs, impressive structures that resemble temple facades and are carved into the cliffs overlooking the town.
Its natural beauty is equally stunning, particularly İztuzu Beach and the Dalyan Delta, which are home to diverse wildlife. İztuzu Beach is a major nesting site for the loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). The beach is one of the few remaining nesting grounds for them in the Mediterranean region. Efforts to protect the area ensure the survival of these endangered creatures. This includes implementing strict regulations and monitoring to safeguard both the nesting habitat and the turtles themselves.
Additionally, you can visit the turtle hospital at Iztuzu Beach, where giant turtles with bandages over their heads are cared for. The site is free to access, but donations are welcome.
Because turtles are so famous in Dalyan, souvenir shops overflow with turtle keychains, plush toys, etc. A turtle statue even stands in the center of the town to commemorate these animals.
But let’s return to the cats of Dalyan.
Dalyan’s free cats
Even though Dalyan is most famous for its turtles, it’s also a prime cat destination, albeit not advertised as such.
Turkey’s cats are famous the world over, particularly those of Istanbul, which gained widespread attention thanks to Ceyda Torun’s heartwarming film Kedi (2017). This documentary portrays the relationship between Istanbulites and their feline friends, capturing the unique bond and the animals’ role in the city’s culture and daily life.
But Istanbul isn’t the only cat city in Turkey. Dalyan is also bustling with cats,.
Cats in Dalyan welcome people to restaurants and shops, ride ferries, snooze on sun loungers along swimming pools, and generally enjoy hanging out wherever they find a comfortable spot in the warm sun.
Just like the cats of Istanbul, our furry friends in Dalyan don’t have owners. However, the locals ensure the cats have places to sleep, eat, and drink.
Cats hold a special place in the hearts of Dalyan’s people, evident in the care and attention they receive.
Where do Dalyan’s cats come from?
Research indicates that cats in Dalyan originated in the Middle East, specifically the Fertile Crescent, which encompasses parts of modern-day Turkey, Iraq, and Iran. This area is widely regarded as one of the cradles of agriculture and civilization, where humans first began to cultivate crops and form settled communities.
Cats likely became associated with these early agricultural settlements as they provided invaluable pest control, protecting stored grains from rodents.
Domestic cats may have diverged from their wild ancestors in this region around 9,000 years ago, making Anatolia a plausible candidate for one of the original centers of cat domestication. This evidence aligns with the longstanding cultural and historical ties between cats and the region, including in places like Dalyan. Thus, while the exact origins of domestic cats remain subject to ongoing research and debate, Anatolia’s role in their domestication appears increasingly significant.
How does Dalyan care for its free cats?
Many residents and business owners give their leftovers to the free-roaming cats of Dalyan.
For example, each evening, the staff at Hotel Başar collects all edible leftovers and places them in a dedicated cat feeding station across the street.
Across from the fish restaurant Balikçim, the owner leaves leftover fish and scraps in a secluded corner for the cats. Though not the safest option, it shows the intention to feed them. The restaurant also provides little beds for the cats, which are especially appreciated by the pregnant cats in the neighborhood.
Cat feeding stations
As you stroll through Dalyan, you’ll notice numerous cat feeding stations scattered throughout the town. These stations are the result of a collaborative effort involving municipal authorities, NGOs, dedicated volunteers, and supportive local businesses. Together, they work to ensure the well-being of the town’s stray feline population.
Dalyan Cat Paws
A local volunteer organization, Dalyan Cat Paws, focuses on spaying and neutering cats and providing medical care to those in need.
It was founded by a group of dedicated animal lovers who were concerned about the welfare of the numerous stray cats in Dalyan. The organization is largely volunteer-driven, relying on the passion and commitment of its members and supporters to carry out its mission.
Dalyan Cat Paws (Turkish name: Sokak Kedilerini Koruma, Yardim Ve Iyilestirme Dernegi or Kedi Patileri) engages in various activities to support and protect stray cats, including:
- Spaying and neutering: Controlling the stray cat population through a trap-neuter-return (TNR) program. This helps reduce the number of homeless cats and improves their quality of life.
- Feeding programs: Setting up and maintaining feeding stations throughout Dalyan to ensure that stray cats have access to regular food and clean water.
- Veterinary care: Providing medical care for injured and sick cats, including vaccinations, treatments for illnesses, and emergency care.
- Adoption and foster care: Finding loving homes for stray cats and working with a network of foster caregivers to provide temporary homes for cats until they can be adopted.
- Awareness and education: Raising awareness about animal welfare and educating the local community on how to care for stray cats.
Cat Paws Dalyan runs solely on donations from followers and fundraising events. Visit the Cat Paws Dalyan website for more information on donations and adoptions.
Dalaman Belediyesi animal shelter
Dalyan Cat Paws collaborates closely with the larger Dalaman Belediyesi animal shelter, especially regarding the veterinary interventions.
This animal shelter is established and run by the municipality of Dalaman. The shelter employs veterinarians who provide medical care and carry out spaying and neutering for stray cats. Volunteers maintain the shelter’s cleanliness and safety.
The shelter offers a range of services, including:
- Rescue and rehabilitation: Rescuing stray, abandoned, and injured animals and providing them with necessary medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Spaying and neutering: Controlling the stray animal population through spaying and neutering programs. This helps to prevent overpopulation and improve the quality of life for the animals.
- Feeding: Providing all animals in their care with adequate food and water.
- Adoption: Facilitating the adoption of animals, helping them find loving and permanent homes.
- Education and awareness: Engaging in community outreach and education programs to raise awareness about animal welfare and encourage responsible pet ownership.
On the wall of the shelter’s main building, you’ll find the phrase “Iyiki Dalaman var,” meaning “It’s good that Dalaman exists.” This reflects the community’s pride in the municipality’s care for these animals.
What to do if you find an injured or sick animal in Dalyan?
If you find a sick or injured animal in Dalyan, you can contact Emrah Aydın via WhatsApp at +90 554 9450555 for translation assistance.
Alternatively, if you speak Turkish, you can directly contact 153 for help.
You can also seek assistance at the Zabita office near the Mosque.
Animal welfare challenges in Turkey
Unfortunately, life for cats in Dalyan isn’t all idyllic.
In Turkey, it’s less common to spay and neuter cats compared to many other countries. This is partly due to religious beliefs.
Some interpretations of Islamic teachings discourage the interference with the natural reproduction of animals, including cats. This belief stems from the idea of respecting and preserving the natural order established by God. As a result, there’s less emphasis on spaying and neutering as a means of population control for cats in Turkey.
Cats breed unchecked, leading to a growing population that’s challenging to feed and care for. This results in competition among the cats. Weaker ones are often neglected. Catfights and injured cats are common occurrences.
The sheer volume of strays in town poses significant problems. Without spaying, they’ll continue to reproduce, exacerbating the issue.
While we enjoy seeing a town full of cats, it’s crucial that they’re happy and healthy.
In more positive news, Turkey recently enacted a new law making it a punishable crime, with potential jail time, to mistreat animals or to leave them without food or water. This law is currently in its early stages.
Conclusion
In Dalyan, cats have a special bond with the residents. They provide them with food, water, and shelter. Yet, they leave them free to roam wherever they like. The government supports these stray cats by funding spaying, neutering, and emergency veterinary services to ensure their well-being. It would be fantastic to see this compassionate approach adopted in more cities and countries. Of course, there’s still progress to be made in raising awareness about the importance of spaying and neutering.
Would you like to help spread awareness and educate others on what to do if they encounter an injured animal in Dalyan? Or would you like to encourage donations to such organizations as Cat Paws Dalyan and Dalaman Belediyesi animal shelter? If so, please share this article with your friends and on social media.
Text and photos by Vanessa Morgan.
Photo 4 by Yoann Bawin.
Photo 8 by Emmanuelle Bawin.
Photo 15 by Joanne Danthine.
Photo 21 by Salomé Danthine.
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