Me-ow! Kenyan feline lovers fret over cat-tax plan

Feline lovers in Kenya’s capital have been twitching over the specter of what’s perceived as a “cat tax” – and any discuss of tax within the East African nation raises the hackles.

The proposal comes by way of the Nairobi Metropolis County which desires all cats to be registered by their homeowners – which some are moaning is a “cat-astrophe”.

It might require cat homeowners in Nairobi to buy an annual licence – costing 200 Kenyan shillings ($1.50; £1.20) together with proof that the animal has had a rabies vaccination.

Not solely that, however “purrents” – as cat homeowners are identified – would want to take duty for his or her furry pal’s behaviour, and everyone knows {that a} cat doesn’t take path effectively.

In keeping with town’s Animal Management and Welfare Invoice, they must guarantee their pets don’t “scream or cry in a way that disturbs the peace” of residents.

They’d even be required to restrict cats on warmth.

The proposed laws is aimed toward enhancing cat welfare, however some jaundiced metropolis residents want convincing.

Kenyans not too long ago compelled the federal government to withdraw a finance invoice introducing a raft of contentious taxes – and this plan by Nairobi county is seen by some as a part of the federal government’s urge for food for elevating extra income.

“First taxes on interval merchandise, now taxing cat homeowners. Go away my pussy alone!” Khadijah M Farah mentioned on X, referencing the now-dropped finance invoice.

Some Kenyans are additionally elevating questions on how enforceable it’s, given the excessive inhabitants of stray or feral cats.

The town’s feline inhabitants – lions within the Nairobi Nationwide Park excluded – is just not identified, however they’re ubiquitous: prowling on streets, lounging in outlets, and foraging at garbage ideas and eating places.

Yowling from numerous cats in several registers can typically punctuate the hush of evening, particularly throughout mating season.

Naomi Mutua, who with greater than a dozen cats calls herself Nairobi’s “mom of cats”, instructed the BBC the county authorities ought to have checked with cat homeowners, rescue organisations and veterinary teams earlier than arising with the draft legislation.

She runs a Fb group of about 25,000 cat lovers and says the introduction of necessary rabies vaccinations is an efficient factor however queries how it is going to be achieved in actuality.

About 2,000 Kenyans die yearly from rabies brought on by canine or cat bites, in keeping with the well being ministry.

And Ms Mutua says the primary premise of any new legislation ought to begin with enhancing “requirements of care which might be missing”.

She wonders whether or not confining a cat on warmth could be “limiting them from their pure behaviour”.

A public session is being organised by the county – to start this Friday.

Metropolis residents will be capable to give their views concerning the invoice – which can inform additional amendments to be thought of by the county meeting.

For the pinnacle of the Kenya Society for the Safety and Care of Animals (KSPCA), Emma Ngugi, the draft laws is a welcome transfer provided that animal welfare within the metropolis is a “big downside”.

However licences, she feels, are most likely not the reply as folks might not need to declare possession of cats.

Some folks might find yourself throwing out their cats if they’re compelled to pay for them, which might defeat the aim of the invoice.

“In case you introduce what is basically a tax on cats, then it’ll be even more durable for organisations like us working in communities to get folks to take duty,” she instructed the BBC.

Ms Ngugi additionally factors out that there’s already laws on canine possession that’s ignored as most individuals don’t trouble to get licences for them – even those that can afford to take action.

Underneath the proposed invoice, cat homeowners who fail to adjust to the licensing and welfare requirements could be responsible of an offence and liable to penalties together with jail phrases.

But many individuals are scoffing on the thought of anybody checking up.

“Nairobi cats are stressed. You can not personal Nairobi cats,” a panellist mentioned on a youth TV present over the weekend.

However the KSPCA director says “the overpopulation of cats” is a giant subject, with rabid ones posing a threat to human well being and the setting.

She would favor low-cost veterinary companies to be launched for many who will pay and mass sterilisation campaigns for stray cats and canines – as the price of sterilising a cat, as an example, will be the equal of a month’s wages for some Kenyans.

“That’s a confirmed methodology from all around the world, and it really works,” she says.

Within the meantime the invoice has obtained many speaking excitedly on the topic, even prompting one Nairobi resident to poetry.

In his “ode to cats in Kenya” on X, Harmless Ouko ends his verse with the phrases: “Looks like we’re in a cat-ch 22 scenario.”