Van cats poised to escape extinction at university

The famous cats of the eastern province of Van appear set to escape extinction thanks to the efforts of the Van Cat Research and Application Center, which was formed under the auspices of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in the 1990s.

The cats are known for their congeniality, silky fur, different eye colors and fascination with water. The center, which has been working for the sustainability of the Van cat breed, has attracted considerable national attention in recent years.

The center raises new kittens in its cat house and has prohibited them from being removed from the town.

Productive season

The director of the center, Professor Abdullah Kaya, said they were enjoying a productive season full of useful research.

"The number of cats that have eyes of one color each has increased to a great extent this year. If we continue in this way, the breed of Van cats will escape from the danger of extinction," Kaya said.

"Ninety-eight percent of new-born kittens were able to survive. We now keep the ones with two different eye colors under protection. The ones with the same eye color are given to people who are willing to protect them. We don't turn down any families who want to own a Van cat," he added.