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A kitten discovered in a car's engine compartment has found a new home at the auto repair shop where it was rescued, becoming the beloved mascot of both workers and customers in this northwestern Turkish city.
Motor mechanic Mumin Ataseven was performing routine maintenance on a vehicle at his garage in the Yeni Mahalle neighborhood approximately 10 days ago when he heard unusual sounds coming from under the hood.
After opening the car's hood, Ataseven discovered a small kitten trapped in the engine compartment.
The vehicle's owner was pleased the animal was found safely, but declined to take responsibility for the pet due to frequent travel commitments.
Ataseven decided to adopt the kitten, which employees have named "Cirak," meaning apprentice in Turkish. The young cat has quickly adapted to life at the repair shop, often climbing onto Ataseven's shoulder while he works on vehicles.
"It comes to my lap while I'm working, tries to play games. A bond has formed between us," Ataseven told, adding, "It also shows very friendly behavior toward our customers."
The mechanic prepared a comfortable bed for his new companion and says the kitten has become fully accustomed to the workshop environment. Both employees and customers have embraced the feline addition to the garage.
Ataseven expressed his commitment to animal care, stating his belief that "love for animals should exist in every person."
"I really love animals very much. As long as God gives me strength, I will try to care for and protect them," he said.
"It's a very active cat. Sometimes it escapes from the shop and goes to the neighbors' shops. I try to keep an eye on it as much as I can, but it's very active," he added.
The rescue occurred when the vehicle was brought to the auto service center for repairs, leading to an unexpected but welcome addition to the workshop family.
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