“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,” the man recalled about his first furry visitor.
Ikram Korkmazer, a 51-year-old businessman, has a profound love for animals, driving him to extraordinary lengths to care for them. Aware of the struggles stray animals face in finding food, Ikram regularly shares leftover meat from his shop with these wandering creatures.
It all began with a hungry cat that wandered into his shop. The cat climbed onto the counter, clearly eyeing the meat on display. Feeling sympathy for the starving cat, Korkmazer gave her some meat scraps. Instantly, he formed a bond with the cat, which soon became a regular visitor. Yesim, as the cat was named, would frequently return to the shop for food, eventually bringing her kitten along.
“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,” Korkmazer fondly remembered. “She wanted mostly spleen, heart, kidney, and loved beef.” After Yesim passed away, her kitten continued the tradition, frequently visiting the shop. In honor of Yesim, Korkmazer renamed his store to Yesim Meat Gallery.
Today, Yesim Meat Gallery is famous not only for its fresh, delicious meat but also for its kindness towards stray animals. Korkmazer’s compassion has attracted more than just Yesim’s family; the store now serves around seven to eight cats and eight to ten dogs daily, providing them with leftover meat.
Korkmazer began sharing videos of these feeding sessions on Instagram and TikTok, and his story quickly went viral. His dedication to stray animals earned him thousands of followers, amazed by his passion for animals. “I have instilled the love for animals in this world and it makes me proud to introduce Turkey as an animal-loving country,” he said.
This act highlights critical gaps in our support systems for people in crisis and animal welfare. Urge authorities to provide those in crisis with the help they need to prevent animal abuse!
Despite some criticism, Korkmazer remains focused on the positive impact of his actions. His family and colleagues have joined in his mission, helping to feed the strays that visit the shop. His simple act of kindness has inspired many others worldwide to care for stray animals. Way to go, Korkmazer!