If you have ever been to Malaspina College or the University of Victoria, you know about the bunnies. There are rabbits everywhere - its insane.At Bogazici, there are almost as many cats as there are rabbits at UVic. Cats and dogs. Wild. Everywhere. In the halls, on the steps, crawling over you when you are trying to eat, even in class! People take care of them, leaving food and water out.
In Istanbul, wild dogs and cats roam the city at will - packs of dogs running through the streets. It's been this way since Ottoman times. I think it has to do with Muslim principles of caring for all of God's creatures. The city of Istanbul rounds up all the dogs every year and gives them shots so they don't get diseased, then lets them go again.
They are all quite tame and friendly...I've never felt worried about being bitten or anything. It's quite a culture shock though, seeing wild dogs in a cosmopolitan, European city.
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