Efforts to rescue the Turkish Angora, one of the world’s oldest and most iconic cat breeds, are gaining momentum at the Angora Cat Protection, Sustenance, and Promotion Center in Ankara.
“The breed was once on the verge of extinction, but now we manage to breed 100 kittens each year,” Aysegul Korkmaz, head of the center, explained.
Since its founding in 2017, the center has bred over 600 Angora cats, with each cat microchipped for care and tracking under new pet protection laws.
Renowned for their long silky fur, striking almond-shaped eyes—often blue or heterochromatic—and graceful demeanor, Turkish Angoras have been beloved for centuries.
By the 17th century, they gained popularity among Ottoman sultans and European nobility, even gracing royal palaces in France and England.
The breed’s small population and genetic vulnerabilities, such as congenital deafness in white-furred, blue-eyed Angoras, have heightened the risk of extinction.
To protect its lineage, Türkiye has prohibited the export of Angora cats and ramped up breeding, adoption, and public education efforts.
“Angora cats are not only lively and playful but deeply empathetic, forming strong emotional bonds with their owners,” said Ankara-based veterinarian Alper Bilgic.
The center also organizes exhibitions and events to raise awareness about the breed’s significance.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure Ankara cats are cherished as pets in Türkiye,” said Korkmaz.