At the Ankara Cat Protection, Preservation and Promotion Center, efforts are underway to protect and sustain the purebred Ankara cat through specialized care and breeding, while the cats' daily lives are broadcast live around the clock.
Operated by the Pursaklar Municipality, the center provides special care for purebred Ankara cats recognized by the World Cat Federation.
Known in Europe as the Angora cat, the Ankara cat is distinguished by its unique characteristics and is considered one of the oldest longhaired cat breeds.
The breed, which is considered at risk of disappearing, is kept under protection at the center, where its long, glossy coat is among its most recognizable features.
Spread across an area of about 2,000 square meters (21,528 square feet), the facility consists of seven sections. Eight cameras allow viewers to watch the cats' daily lives 24 hours a day, capturing scenes from the courtyard, sleeping quarters, rest areas and feeding spaces.
The live broadcasts, available on the municipality's online viewing platform, show the cats sleeping, eating, resting and wandering around the courtyard.
736,500 viewers in a week
Pursaklar Mayor Ertuğrul Çetin said the facility was established to raise awareness of Ankara cats and help ensure the continuation of the breed.
Calling the facility the "Cat House," Çetin said the municipality began broadcasting the cats' lives online around the clock.
He said the idea gained momentum after Ankara cats were introduced to foreign delegations during the NATO summit held in Ankara, drawing positive reactions and questions about the environment in which the animals live.
"We hosted the NATO summit in Ankara last month. To showcase Ankara's culture, we introduced our Ankara cats to foreign delegations," Çetin said.
"After they asked what kind of environment the cats live in, we thought we could open their natural lives to those who were curious. We placed cameras inside their enclosures and made it possible for people to watch them 24/7."
According to Çetin, the live broadcasts attracted more than 736,500 viewers in one week, with audiences tuning in from 27 countries.
"Of course, viewers from cities across Türkiye are watching, but we have also had people following the broadcasts from 27 different countries," he said. "It makes us incredibly happy to promote our country and Ankara through such a beautiful initiative."