A man in Turkey is forced to pay “cat alimony” to his ex-wife to support their two pet cats after their divorce. According to Turkish media reports, a man identified as Buğra B. agreed to transfer custody of the couple’s two cats to his ex-wife, Ezgi B., as part of their divorce agreement in Istanbul.
Under the court-approved terms, Buğra will pay 10,000 Turkish liras (about Rs. 67,000) every three months for the next ten years to cover the cats’ care. The amount will also be adjusted annually to reflect inflation. Without inflation, the payments will total nearly Rs. 2.7 million by the end of the ten-year period.
“The parties have agreed that the two cats belonging to Buğra B. will remain with Ezgi B.,” court documents state. “As long as the cats stay with her, and for no longer than ten years, Buğra B. will pay 10,000 liras quarterly for their upkeep.”
This “cat support” arrangement is one of only two financial settlements between the couple. Buğra will also pay 550,000 liras (Rs. 3.6 million) in material compensation to his ex-wife.
The pair reportedly divorced due to “severe incompatibility and the breakdown of their marriage,” though both handled the pet custody issue amicably.
Turkish legal experts note that the case reflects a growing trend of pet-related settlements in the country. While the Turkish Civil Code still classifies animals as “movable property,” the Animal Protection Law of 2004 has strengthened the legal recognition of animal welfare. The law ensures animals enjoy “a comfortable life” and protection from “pain, suffering, torture, and cruelty.”
Get the latest international news and global stories wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.