MANISA, Turkiye

A stray cat that was adopted by students at a primary school in western Turkiye has quickly turned into the school’s beloved mascot.

Students at Karaoglu Primary School in Sehzadeler in the western Manisa province are enjoying taking care of the kitty, who they named Uykucu or Sleeper.

A group of students at the school asked for help to adopt the friendly feline, who they found on a nearby street, from teacher Fatma Dinc and Murat Arpaci, the school’s principal.

When they got permission, a local veterinarian gave the kitty all the necessary vaccinations to avoid feline ailments.

Sleeper is fed and taken care of by the students and likes to spend her day dozing in the sun and playing with the students during recess.

During class, she eats, plays, sits on the warm radiator, and even claims a spot to sleep on students’ desks.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Dinc said the furry friend makes students extra eager to go to school.

Saying that Sleeper was allowed inside the school when the weather got cold, she added that the cat is now a beloved symbol and mascot of the school.

Developing a love for animals is part of the students’ education, explained Arpaci.

“We had 160 students (at the school), but with Sleeper, now we have 161,” he said.

Veli Savran, 10, agreed that Sleeper has no trouble living up to her name.

“Sleeper sometimes even follows the teacher's lessons along with us,” he joked.