‘There's no threat to primary cat lineage's existence. Our situation is positive, with cat population growing and we match 100 new families with Van cats each year,' says director
Through the work conducted at the Van Cat Research and Application Center within Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, eastern Türkiye, the Van cat's population is conserved, and Cat House Villa finds homes for 100 cute paws each year.
The center includes facilities like ventilation areas, pools, playrooms, and resting spaces. It works on increasing the Van cat population and maintaining purebred cats.
By utilizing breeding cats, the center annually raises new kittens. Among the kittens born twice a year, 100 are adopted through the "A Van Cat for Every Home Project."
Cats with their names, breed, gender, eye color, birthdate, tail characteristic, colors, hearing status, identity, and microchip number listed on an "international health certificate" are provided to their owners for a designated fee after receiving vaccinations.
The center's efforts have successfully increased the population of endangered Van cats, saving them from extinction.
- "We're a family that keeps growing, not shrinking"
"In certain historical periods, there were concerns about the lineage. Our center addresses this, and we're vigilant. Currently, the primary cat lineage is not at risk. Our situation is good. Cat numbers are rising, and we connect 100 new families with Van Cats each year. We're a growing family, locally and nationwide," center director Prof. Dr. Abdullah Kaya told Anadolu.
"We assess kittens with 20 criteria. We're making progress in maintaining their uniqueness and excluding altered forms. Breeding is ongoing, and their numbers are rising. This year's first batch of births is finished, and the second is underway. Van cats are fortunate, and we wish them a bright future. With International Cat Day on August 8, we hope for comfortable and prosperous lives," he added.
Kaya also mentioned the high interest in Van cats, stressing, "Van cats are a provincial symbol and a tourism attraction, deservedly so. Visitor numbers are rising daily, reaching around 600 on weekdays and over 1000 on weekends. We ensure their comfort in hot weather with pools and air conditioning. They can freely choose to spend time indoors or outdoors, and our ventilation maintains a controlled temperature, avoiding temperature-related issues."
Van cats, distinguished by their unique traits and various eye colors, are significant assets of the city and attract attention from both local and international tourists.
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