inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf

inspiring canadians to live better.

healthing leaf
mosquito-borne diseases affect up to 700 million people each year. learn more
powered by: valneva canada inc.

claws out: kenyan feline owners annoyed over 'cat tax'

cat lovers in kenya’s capital, nairobi, aren’t too happ...

by eddie chau

aug 5 2024
read time 1 minute read
join the conversation
cat lovers in kenya’s capital, nairobi, aren’t too happy about a proposed “cat tax.”

nairobi city county wants cat owners to register their furry friends via an annual license for $2.13 (200 kenyan shillings) along with proof the animal has its rabies vaccination, the bbc reported .

besides registration, pet owners would need to be responsible for their cat’s behaviour. the city’s animal control and welfare bill states owners would have to make sure their cats do not “scream or cry in the manner that disturbs the peace” of other residents.
cats who are in heat would also be needed to be confined, the proposed bill stated. the legislation aims to improve cat welfare.
there are still some residents that need convincing.
kenyans don’t take kindly to taxation. the people recently forced the government to cancel a finance bill that would’ve introduced a number of controversial taxes, which was seen by some as an attempt to boost revenue, bbc reported.
now some are questioning how enforceable the “cat tax” is given the high population of feral or stray felines in the country.
naomi mutua, a moderator of a facebook group for cat lovers, told the bbc that kenyan officials should’ve have done their homework and checked with cat owners, rescue organizations and veterinary groups before drafting the proposed bill.

advertisement

mutua also questioned the rabies vaccinations mandate, stating that while ensuring felines have their shots is a good thing, the goal will be hard to achieve. she said any new law should begin with boosting up the “standards of care that are lacking.”

recommended video

mutua also said the rule about confining a cat on heat would be “restricting them from their natural behaviour.”
mutua insisted the first premise of any new law should start with improving “standards of care that are lacking.”
nairobi city county plans to consult with the public about the proposed bill.
eddie chau
eddie chau

eddie chau is a web editor at toronto sun. born and raised in toronto, chau was previously a multimedia journalist with the welland tribune, managing editor at dunnville chronicle, and sports editor at simcoe reformer. chau has been a web editor with toronto sun and canoe since 2016. he holds a bachelor of journalism from ryerson university, graduating in 2004.

read more about the author

comments

postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. we ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. we have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. visit our community guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.