03/09/2026
It all started with Ed’s hobby: photographing Istanbul’s street cats.
On November 8th, while searching for Istanbul’s most “cat-saturated” spot, he found himself in Fenerbahçe Park.
Among endless cats, there was Chunya.
Five months old, ridiculously fluffy, suspicious of his camera… for about two minutes. Then she was hugging his arm, sleeping in his lap and purring like she had already adopted him. ❤️
Back in Belgrade, Ed gave himself two weeks to forget about bringing her home.
It didn’t work. 😄
Four rescue organizations later, he found Paws of Hope Rescue Turkey — and then began the famous hide-and-seek.
Some people fly to another country for a holiday. Ed kept flying back to Istanbul for one fluffy park cat who kept disappearing.
Finally, on December 13th, Chunya was found. She had some health issues to overcome, but she was safe. Her journey home could begin.
Ed and Ekaterina came back to Istanbul again and again just to be with her, reassuring her that life surrounded by so many cats — which Chunya definitely hated 😄 — was only temporary.
And when her paperwork was finally ready, they became flight volunteers for another rescued kitty, Pamuk, helping him reach his own home too.
That’s the magic of rescue: you start by saving one life… and somehow end up helping another.
In Ed’s words:
“Was flying back and forth to Istanbul chasing one fluffy park cat slightly crazy? Probably. Do I regret it? Not for a second…”
From a fluffy little cat in Fenerbahçe Park to someone’s whole world.
Mission Chunya: accomplished.
P.S. That last amazing photograph? 📸 Ed’s gift to everyone who played a part in Chunya’s journey.
