The Cat Who Refused to Move For Commuters 'Owns' that Metro Station in Istanbul

We recently shared a viral video making its way around the Interwebs in which a completely indifferent calico (in classic cat fashion) blocked commuters exiting a metro station in Istanbul, happily snoozing away while commuters had to step around her. The original video was posted by Brandon Thompson on Facebook.

Some of our viewers were concerned with the cat's welfare, so we decided to do some digging. It turns out that this feline, who just doesn't give a fluff, is known to pretty much own the Taksim Metro Station. In fact, she's pretty important to the everyday goings-on, as are most cats in Turkey, according to the blog Anadolu Kedisi. 

This chill calico doesn't have a name, per se, but she is called the Taksim Metro Cat after the place she calls home. 

She makes sure your requests are heard. 

Photo: Chris Healy

She's also great at offering directions. 

Photo: Özgür Yavuz

She extremely photogenic and always willing to strike a pose.

Photo: bzzt_624

She'll share the walkway with you (most of the time.)

Photo: Mehlika Baş

And she never goes hungry: shop owners feed her daily, alongside the many other people who use Taksim Station. 

Photo: William Armstrong

Istanbul is home to millions of street cats like the Taksim Metro Cat. And like Metro Cat, they are cared for by the community. Like Metro Cat, these cats are not pets - but they're not ferals, either.

The people of Istanbul feed these cats, care for them, even taken them to the vet when they are sick - and form close relationships with them. As it is said in the film Kedi, a documentary about street cats in Istanbul and the communities that care for them,

"In Istanbul, the cat is more than just a cat ..."

Photo: Laylaylom Dutturudunya

"Without the cat, Istanbul would lose a part of its soul."   

Photo: Laylaylom Dutturudunya