The historic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque has opened its doorways to a brand new feline resident, marking the arrival of the second Ankara cat to the monument. The Ankara cat (Turkish Angora), revered for its regal lineage and athletic grace, joins the ranks of the world’s beloved feline breeds which have pawed their method into the hearts of cat lovers worldwide.
After dropping Kılıç, the primary Ankara cat to Hagia Sophia, Seymen, the grandson of the late Kılıç, is distributed to the enduring mosque and to make sure his security, a microchip shall be built-in into the ministry’s identification system, guaranteeing the cat’s origins and affiliation with the breeding middle.
Ayşegül Korkmaz, cat breeder and veterinary technician on the Pursaklar Municipality Ankara Cat Protection and Survival Center, shared insights with Anadolu Agency (AA) on International Cat Day. “The Ankara cat is renowned for its luxurious long-haired fur, its striking almond-shaped eyes and elegantly elongated physique.”
Korkmaz revealed the feline was initially delivered to Europe by the Vikings within the tenth century, the place they shortly grew to become favorites amongst aristocratic circles and located a particular place inside the opulent palaces, notably in France. These feline companions discovered their method onto canvas, immortalized in palace work spanning varied nations.
Emphasizing the Ankara cat’s standing as a superior breed, Korkmaz mentioned: “The efforts are ongoing since 2017 to meticulously uphold the breed standards and promote on the international stage. These endeavors culminated in the center’s prestigious recognition as a ‘breeding farm,’ cementing its dedication to safeguarding the Ankara cat’s lineage.”
With over 100 cats below their care, together with moms and kittens, the middle makes a major impression via its 70-100 annual adoptions. Korkmaz mentioned: “In order to ensure the well-being of our mother cats, we limit their births to twice a year. We carefully manage our breeding program to preserve the exceptional traits of these kittens.”
Emphasizing accountable pet adoption, Korkmaz cautioned towards buying animals solely pushed by enthusiasm, highlighting the monetary and ethical duties that accompany pet possession. She revealed a rising worldwide demand for Ankara cats whereas noting that the export of those endemic species is restricted, with exceptions being made for varied provinces inside Türkiye.
Melike Baysal, a distinguished member of the Central Council of the Veterinary Medical Association of Türkiye, make clear the importance of International Cat Day, initiated by the International Animal Welfare Fund (IFAW) and noticed yearly on Aug. 8 since 2002.
Baysal elaborated on the range of feline breeds worldwide, noting that whereas the International Cat Association (TICA) acknowledges 73 standardized breeds, the World Cat Federation (WCF) acknowledges 69. She highlighted the geographical focus of cat populations throughout Eastern Europe, Egypt, the Eastern Mediterranean, Iran, Iraq, Arabia, India and North Asia.
A latest report revealed that the United States boasts the best feline inhabitants, estimated at 95 million, adopted by China with 54 million and Russia with 23 million. Türkiye’s cat inhabitants is estimated at round 4.6 million, contributing to the worldwide feline rely, which ranges from 600 million to 1 billion in response to varied analysis and standards.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry carried out 2,951 inspections in 2022 below the “Regulation on Production, Sales, Housing and Training Places for Pets,” imposing administrative sanctions on 54 enterprises. Furthering the ministry’s efforts, over 1 million 160,000 cats have been efficiently recognized via microchipping.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
