Van University's Van Cat Research and Application Center's "Cat Villa" attracts an average of 200,000 visitors annually.
The Van cats, known for their emotional nature, friendliness, silky white fur, lion-like walk, and different eye colors, are among the city's most important assets, drawing both local and foreign tourists throughout the year.
Visitors to the "Cat Villa" in the university campus enjoy petting the cats and taking photos with them. Center Director Prof. Dr. Abdullah Kaya stated that World Cat Day on February 17 aims to raise awareness about cats.
Kaya explained, "Everyone should take care of their pets. We have completed the 2024 program at our center. We conducted the first breedings of 2025, and we expect births within 2.5 months. So, we will continue breeding throughout the year in seasons according to the program. The Van cat is an endangered species. It is truly unique in beauty, intelligence, and affection among world cats. These animals need to be protected."
He also expressed a wish for sensitivity toward the Van cats, which are under protection, on this important day. Kaya explained, "Everyone should take care of their pets. We have completed the 2024 program at our center. We conducted the first breedings of 2025, and we expect births within 2.5 months. So, we will continue breeding throughout the year in seasons according to the program. The Van cat is an endangered species. It is truly unique in beauty, intelligence, and affection among world cats. These animals need to be protected."
Kaya emphasized the importance of giving Van cats the necessary value, stating, "What we do at our center is just that. We are a center established to protect the character, lineage, and original forms of the Van cats. We continue to work with the same passion as the first day. The number of visitors varies by season. We are in February, which is the least crowded month. Even today, we have more than 100 visitors. It's much more crowded in summer. Around 200,000 people visit our center each year."
Tufan Kolay, a visitor from Konya, expressed his appreciation for the environment created for the cats.
He said, "We read about the history of the cats. They are very beautiful and well-kept. I had never seen a Van cat before. It was a great experience for me."
Nazlınur Kolay, who was curious about Van cats, said, "We wanted to come here. When we had the chance to visit Van, we wanted to see them. It was a beautiful and enjoyable memory for us. The cats are very beautiful. We really liked the place."
Zilan İke, who came from Hakkari, also expressed her curiosity about the Cat Villa and her desire to see it. She mentioned that she owns cats at home and added, "I heard that Van cats can be a little more aggressive, but they don't seem like that now. Like every cat, they have different personalities. The cats are very lively. This is my first time here. The place is very clean. The cats are carefully taken care of here."
