Ikram Korkmazer has had many different customers in his butcher shop in Turkey, but it’s safe to say his favorites are the four-legged kind.
At 51 years old, with 41 years of experience in the meat business, Ikram’s life took a special turn when he met a stray cat named Yeşim. She would wander into his shop, clearly hungry and looking for food. Ikram, with his kind heart, didn’t hesitate to feed her – and for free. As he recalls, “When she gave birth to a kitten, she started bringing it to my workplace – they came together. She would stand on two legs, look at the meat on the counter, and ask for meat. She started to come to ask for food five or six times a day, standing on two legs.” This interaction became a regular routine, forming a bond between Ikram and his feline visitors.
Though Yeşim has since passed away, her legacy lives on in the shop, which Ikram fittingly named “Yeşim Meat Gallery.” What’s more touching is that Ikram didn’t stop feeding the stray animals that showed up at his door. It started with Yeşim and her kitten, who kept coming even after her mother was gone. But soon, the number of stray visitors grew, as word among the animal community seemed to spread that Ikram’s shop was a safe place for a meal.
Ikram’s generosity didn’t just stop with cats. His compassionate actions attracted many animals, turning his butcher shop into a kind of haven for strays. With a little help from social media, his story spread far and wide. Sharing videos of his daily animal visitors, Ikram quickly went viral, amassing over 100,000 followers on Instagram and more than 500,000 on TikTok. People from all over the world fell in love with the sight of these animals happily coming in for their meals.
Not only did his online popularity grow, but Ikram’s love for animals started to have a real impact. Even his human customers joined in, helping feed the strays that came to visit. His shop became a symbol of kindness and care for animals, and Ikram couldn’t be more proud of this influence. “I have instilled the love for animals in this world,” he said. “And it makes me proud to introduce Turkey as an animal-loving country. I have 4 billion people watching my videos, and they are still watching.”
Sadly, this seems to have been a disturbing pattern that must be addressed. To protect future animals and provide him with the support he needs, he must be banned from ever owning animals again and undergo mandatory counseling.
Ikram is a true example of kindness, showing how one person’s love for animals can inspire many others. Let’s hope his business continues to thrive so he can keep feeding those adorable, hungry visitors.
