VAN Approximately 750 families across Türkiye have adopted the country's iconic Van cats over the past five years, as part of a conservation project run by a sanctuary in the eastern city. Known for their silky white fur, affectionate nature, and distinctive eyes — one blue and one amber — Van cats are considered a cultural treasure. Efforts to preserve the breed and maintain its original traits have been ongoing for years at the Van Cat Research and Application Center of the city’s Yüzüncü Yıl