Kashmir's Feline Surge

Istanbul where east-meets-west, the world’s fifteenth largest city with 16 million human population is also considered a veritable cat factory; one million well nourished stray cats reside here.

Aoshima (Japan), the "cat island" has proceeded further in this direction where cats have almost replaced the human population that has migrated elsewhere in search of livelihood. Currently here the ratio of cats to humans is 30:1. Cafes, shops, restaurants or hotels are completely missing in this tourist destination. Boats are used to ferry visitors to the cat lover’s paradise.

People spend time with a clutter of friendly meowing, purring cats, strolling around the island and watching them playing with toys. Some also feed the animals at designated spots but have to carry the garbage thus produced on their return.

In Kashmir several places are named after cats both in urban and rural areas. At least two places Brarepora (Safakadal) and Brare nambal (Babedamb) are located in Srinagar city. Brarepora, Shamasabad in rural Badgam holds the resting place of the great 19th century sufi poet Shamas Faqir. Unlike Istanbul and Aoshima, these places are not over populated with cats of any type; feral, semiferal, pet & stray.

However, surprisingly a surge in cat ownership throughout Srinagar and major towns of the valley transpired during the recent past. The trend of keeping pet dogs started three decades ago when militancy was at peak but the number of such canines increased steadily during this period.

The shops selling pets mostly the cats, their food, clothes and accessories as well as the pet clinics multiplied simultaneously and are now easily located in several markets. In just a few years, the cats presented for disease prevention and treatment in veterinary hospitals of Srinagar city have outnumbered the food animal patients.

As compared to dogs, the cats are more independent, prefer solitary pursuits and can be called 'day time dreamers'. They also require comparatively less attention, care, exercise, space and maintenance and are always there to offer comfort. In addition to the balanced diet and fresh water, cats require regular species specific veterinary care.

The mushrooming of the cat shops and their trade as "commodities" along with the widespread ownership by persons irrespective of their financial and literacy status is vivid. Consequently, several apprehensions regarding the welfare of the love animals, the stakeholders and the general public appear in thoughts.

The mute animals can't explain their plight as humans do. Pet shop rules, 2010 under Section 38 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960 were therefore framed and enacted (now applicable to J&K as well) to address the major issues related to the pet business. Standard requirements of the accommodation, infrastructure, housing, veterinary care, operational needs and maintenance of records have been described satisfactorily in the document.

It has become mandatory for the pet shop owners (both wholesale and retail), traders and those breeding the pets to obtain licenses. The license is to be displayed in all such shops. In this regard, Govt. of Jammu & Kashmir issued a notification in April, 2023 directing pet traders, pet shop owners and veterinarians having pet clinics within Srinagar city limits to register their establishments with Srinagar Municipality Corporation (SMC).

In order to restrict the number of the cats that could be useful and properly maintained as companions, they need to be sterilized by qualified veterinarians. However, it appears that many owners are not serious enough to get their animals sterilized at proper time. Unnecessary delay or indifference to this procedure may lead to serious issues in the long run.

Under such circumstances, the crossing of cats may occur with feral or animals of a different breed resulting in nondescript litter (one to nine kittens per litter) with very limited demand to own such a kitten. Many cats during several days heat period also have a strong tendency to escape from the owner’s residence and attract feral males in the vicinity.

Large number of undernourished and nondescript animals thus produced along with poor veterinary care may not find genuine owners even at cheaper rates. Most of such animals are more likely to be abandoned by the owners and forced out of their homes. New problems and threats to the general public could arise in case the number exceeds. They may also become an additional source of protein to thousands of stray dogs already in control of the streets.

It is therefore important that the pet business should be regulated before it is too late. All the present day stakeholders and those planning to invest in any such venture should go through the rules and follow the guidelines to avoid legal consequences.

The animal owner’s awareness regarding standard/scientific cat rearing practices has to be optimum. That way only the public will be saved from one more menace. After our failure till date to overcome the decades old ever growing stray dog overpopulation, it is easy to understand how difficult it would be to overcome feline population explosion and the disease spill over.

Mujeeb Fazili, Ex-Prof. & Head, University Veterinary Hospital Shuhama, SKUAST-Kashmir.