Mersin Metropolitan Municipality, which set out to be the municipality of every living creature in the city, continues to implement new projects without slowing down to increase the comfort of furry friends living on the streets in the city. “Is there any kitty we haven’t met yet?” Opened in January 2025 with the motto 'Cat Sterilization Center' The Department of Veterinary Affairs aims to prevent the population increase by neutering street cats, 'Hello 185' continues its services for everyone who makes an appointment via .
The metropolitan municipality is considering every convenience for animal lovers
The teams, which prevent the uncontrolled reproduction of street cats that are likely to give birth 3 times a year, provide a safer and healthier life for furry friends and ensure the formation of a balanced animal population, provide all the procedures at the center free of charge. Citizens who bring the animals they care for and feed on the street to the center have them neutered in a sterile environment under the supervision of expert veterinarians. After 5 days of expert supervision, citizens who pick up their friends from the center safely leave them at the spot where they fed them on the street.
The Metropolitan Municipality, which knows no bounds in providing convenience to volunteers, also offers vehicles and boxes to citizens who have 3 or more cats that they feed on the street and cannot bring their cats with their own means. While the sterilization process, which is subject to a special fee in animal hospitals and veterinarians, is a great burden, volunteers are also saved from paying serious costs thanks to the center.
The center, which provides service 7 days a week between 08.00-17.00, performs sterilization operations on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 10.00-15.00. The sterilization center, located within the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mezitli Fire Department Group Directorate on 52000 Street in the Merkez Neighborhood of the Mezitli District, provides service at a point that everyone can reach.
Benli: “We only sterilize street cats”
Stating that they opened the center in January 2025, Ömer Benli, Director of the Stray Animals Branch of the Veterinary Affairs Department, said: “Our veterinary health technician friend here 7 days a week takes care of the cats, feeds them and administers their medication. We perform the neutering process on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We work with an appointment system. The reason for this is to provide better and healthier service to both our friends and citizens.” Benli stated that they only serve street cats, “If a citizen has a cat that he feeds in front of his door, he can make an appointment via 185. We also provide vehicle, box, glove, and catching cage support services. We pick him up from his door and drop him off in front of his door. As long as he is a street cat. We have a total of 3 personnel here; 2 veterinary health technicians and 1 veterinarian provide service.” gave his words.
“We are reducing the street cat population without harming any living creature”
Benli stated that their aim is to reduce the cat population living on the streets without harming any living beings, and that requests are received via Alo 185. “We cover everything during the neutering process. We come and pick him up and leave him in front of his door. We try to help with a plan like this. Also, if he caught him on the street and needed to bring him in suddenly, we try to help if there is space in the cages.” dedicate.
Benli finally addressed all citizens of Mersin, “We are trying to help all kinds of friends and animals living on the streets. We have a neutering center for cats in Mezitli. We will soon open a neutering center in Anamur. Our services continue. We are stronger together.” used expressions.
Karataş: “I think it is very important to neuter cats and dogs”
Şule Karataş, one of the animal lovers, said that she has been trying for years to have her best friends, who she feeds on the streets, neutered. “I give special importance to street cats. I think it is very important to neuter cats and dogs. That is why I have always had them neutered at the vet with my own means. But when I heard that such a service was available, I immediately made an appointment. Actually, I make appointments for more cats, but since I have a little difficulty in catching them, I have only been able to bring 2 cats to date.” Karataş said that he received the cat he had brought before from the center in a much healthier condition. “I was very pleased with my first cat, I even received my cat after she had gained weight. The place where it was built was very clean, our staff were very friendly, I am very pleased with everything. I would like to thank the Metropolitan Municipality very much for this.” He stated the following:
Karataş said that he does not support the recent law change regarding stray animals in Türkiye. “I see the shelter services of the Metropolitan Municipality. They are fed well and I know that they are not put to sleep. I am happy that they are not put to sleep, but they are forced to comply with the law by collecting them. I wish they were not collected, it would be better.” Karataş said that Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Vahap Seçer was sensitive about the animals on the streets and showed his love for animals in every way. “I also love him very much. In this sense, I want such services to become more widespread. We thank him. I am very happy.” He stated that he received his cat in a very healthy condition and that he would leave her with her kittens.
Yilmaz: “The center is clean and the staff is friendly”
Ayşenur Yılmaz said that she became aware of the center thanks to the volunteers around her. “My mother and I were taking care of the animals in need, as were the people around us. They needed to be neutered for their health. The service here is very good. Vahap Seçer is already doing very good work.” dedicate.
Emphasizing that the center is clean and the employees are friendly, Yilmaz said, “They are clean, caring, warm and try to help as much as they can. The most important thing is their approach and behavior towards animals… They are very good at that too. It is also very good that it is free.” He thanked the Metropolitan Municipality for the services provided.
