TURKEY - A group of a rare breed of cat are currently in quarantine in order to protect them from the threat of avian flu.
The Van Cat House conservation center currently has 100 animals which are on the brink of extinction due to what the center calls “urbanization and improper breeding.” Turkish Vans are characteristically known to be intelligent as well as very friendly with humans, dogs, and other cats. Some say that the most famous trait of the Turkish Van is that many of them enjoy swimming in bathtubs, toilets, swimming pools, lakes and seas. This is true of some of the Turkish Vans, but as with most cats, there are many that dislike the water. Unlike the van-patterned cats Catnabbit! describes in their Kitty Scopes, Turkish Vans are indeed quite active and have been known to tear up everything in a house if they are so inclined. This destructiveness makes them a potentially unwelcome roommate, but some say that their other positive traits make up for the difference.
According to sources, the “true” Turkish Van cat (also called Van Kedi) has one amber eye, and one blue eye, and has a pure white coat. The Van pattern was introduced by breeders afterward, and van patterned cats are not considered “true” or “pure” Turkish vans due to the changes that were bred in. This true, yet endangered specialty of cat is in high demand, but Turkey has placed export bans, thus disallowing true Vans from emigrating from the country.
Unfortunately, due to the bird flu outbreak in Turkey [which is ironic, we think -- bird flu -- in Turkey -- get it?] the conservation center must protect its rare cats from becoming sick. So, the human director Zahit Tevfik Agaoglu states that they are no longer allowing visitors, and the cats are quarantined indoors. Although there have been no reports of the avian flu crossing over to cats, the Van Cat House wants to take no risks. Since their cats are so rare, who can blame them?
Related:
IOL: Rare cat sealed off from bird flu
All About Turkey - Van Cats by Burak Sansal
Image is Copyright © Burak Sansal 1996–2005
My Van cat has 2 blue eyes and her hair is a little bit longer, is it really a van cat in extinction?
True Turkish Vans (Van Kedi) are near extinction, yes. Yours would not classify as a true Turkish Van Kedi, because it doesn’t have the correct features. It probably is descended from vans outside of turkey.