Bringing a cat from Turkey to the UK is absolutely possible — but there are strict rules because of the UK’s import regulations. The process takes about 4 months and involves several important steps:

• Microchip

Your cat must be microchipped before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination.
This can be done at most private veterinary clinics in Turkey. Foreigners will need a temporary tax number to register a microchip — you can apply for one here.
Approx. cost: 1250 TL (includes pet passport).

• Rabies Vaccination

The cat must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine.
The vaccination and microchip details must appear in the pet passport and government database.
Approx. cost: 1250 TL.

• Rabies Titer Test (Blood Test)

Since Turkey is not a listed country for rabies control, your cat must have a Titer test at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The blood is sent to an EU-approved lab in Ankara, and you must wait 3 months from the date of the blood sample before travel.
Approx. cost: 13,000 TL.

• Waiting Period

In total, the process takes 4 months. During this time, if you must leave Turkey, consider a trusted pet hotel or boarding facility.

• Travel Options

Cats cannot enter the UK as cabin or checked baggage — only via approved routes:
1) With a DEFRA-registered transport company (by road, 5 days, £1200–£1600).
2) Flying to Amsterdam, then ferrying to the UK (£400–£600).
3) Flying to Paris or Belgium and using a pet taxi to the UK (£900–£1200).

• Veterinary Health Certificate

Issued by your local Tarım İlçe office within 48 hours of travel.
Bring: your passport, the cat, pet passport, Titer test results, and proof of address.
Approx. cost: 2,510 TL per cat.

Despite the paperwork and waiting, it’s incredibly rewarding — each cat brought to safety has a chance at a new life

If you find an injured cat, start by assessing the situation calmly and keeping yourself safe. Injured cats can be frightened and may scratch or bite.

1) Observe from a distance — see if the cat is bleeding, limping, or struggling to breathe.
2) Handle carefully — if you must move the cat, use gloves or a towel and place it in a secure carrier or ventilated box.
3) Get veterinary help — take the cat to a nearby veteriner kliniği (private vet).
If cost is a concern, explain it’s a sokak kedisi (street cat); many vets will offer reduced fees.

In Turkey, most shelters are municipal shelters (Belediye), which focus on neutering, vaccinating, and returning animals to their original area rather than rehoming.

You can also seek help from local rescue volunteers or groups — many operate on social media (try searching your city + “animal rescue”).

While waiting for help, keep the cat warm, quiet, and safe. Offer water if the cat is alert, but avoid food in case surgery is needed. Once treated, discuss with the vet whether the cat can safely return to its area or needs rehoming.

In Turkey, most shelters are run by local municipalities, not charities. Their main role is to control stray populations by neutering, vaccinating, and returning animals to the streets.

Under Turkish law, municipalities must capture, vaccinate, and sterilize stray dogs, keeping them in shelters until adopted.

There are also some private rescues and small charities, but they often have limited resources and rely on volunteers and donations. Many provide lifelong sanctuary for animals that cannot safely be returned to the streets.

In the UK, most shelters are run by large charities such as Cats Protection or Blue Cross. These are regulated, inspected, and focused on rehoming animals into permanent homes. The culture of adoption is stronger, and welfare standards are generally higher.

While both countries have compassionate people working to help animals, the systems are very different. In Turkey, shelters are about population management, while in the UK, they focus on adoption and rehabilitation.