these birds are for sale but the cats are free

(where do you think we get birds from, trees? )

> istanbul life, after 2.5 weeks in new york

i’ve been continuing to make myself sad by going to the park near daily to search for the little black cat that once followed me home, and the longer i look, the more hopeless i feel. the other day, i saw these cages of kittens and birds - the sign says “free cats, have mercy” - and of course, istanbul is a city which is kind to cats (except when they get run over) and i thought to myself how and who determines what gets sold, and what doesn’t? the birds are bred in captivity, but the cats are plucked from the street; birds are like pretty luxury toys, free things caged, but cats need care and mercy…?