By Anita Kelsey – copyright 2017

After reading in the August issue of Your Cat (page 24) that an online survey revealed 83% of cat owners kept their cats indoors (for their safety – 50%, cat’s lack of interest in going outside – 30% and health reasons – 20%), it was extremely refreshing to watch the film Kedi, a film documenting the hundreds of thousands of Turkish cats that roam the metropolis of Istanbul freely. The film concentrates on the daily antics of 7 cats although many more were filmed going about their daily routines being cheeky, curious, demanding, manipulative, cute, fiesty and on top form when it came to hunting the many mice and rats in the city.

Beautifully shot and with a stunning soundtrack by composer Kira Fontana it was two hours of total bliss watching my favourite animal act naturally and freely. It helps that Turkish people love cats, partially due IMHO to the cat being given a special status in Islam.

anita kelsey cat behaviourist

 

What I loved about the film, apart from watching cats be cats, is the narration by the people of Istanbul. It was deeply moving listening to each cat owner express their feelings about the mog that had chosen them or their reasons behind feeding the local feral population.

 

Some of the beautiful warm quotes were:

“God brings us closer to him in different ways. For me it was these animals. I guess I was worthy of his love”

“Dogs think people are God, but cats don’t. Cats know that people act as middlemen to God’s will. They’re not ungrateful. They just know better.”

“A cat meowing at your feet, looking up at you. Is life smiling at you? Those are moments where we’re lucky. They remind us that we’re alive.”

“Life is beautiful if you know how to love. You love if your heart’s eye is open….If you can enjoy the presence of a cat, a bird, a flower, what can I say….the world will be yours….”

“The love of animals is a different kind of love. People who don’t love animals can’t love people either. I know that much.”

 

Anita Kelsey feline behaviour expert

 

Although most of the cat colonies and solo cats had specific feeders that tended to them daily, the whole city seems to have taken the cat under its wing. Warm hidey-holes and boxes are provided on many street corners and most of the market and shop sellers hand out bits of food and a cuddle to the street cats.

Everything about the film sums up the complex relationship we have with our pets. A connection that really cannot be put into words although this film comes damn close!

A must see film for every cat lover or person who needs to be convinced to become a cat lover 😉

Kedi website

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Anita Kelsey Cat Behaviourist

Anita Kelsey is a cat behaviourist and author of #ClawsConfessions Of A Cat Groomer – out on 7th September 2017 and published by John Blake Books

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