It will soon become mandatory for cat owners in Nairobi, Kenya to have a license, with those aspiring to get one being made to part with a fee of Ksh200.
This is according to proposals contained in the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 introduced in the Nairobi City County Assembly which addresses various aspects of animal care, control, and welfare, aiming to create a harmonious coexistence between residents and animals.
The bill, which is set to come into effect upon approval by Governor Johnson Sakaja, is set to undergo public participation on August 2.
Among the key sections of the Bill touch on the welfare and control of cats, with proposals seeking to make it more difficult for anyone to just own a cat. In one of them, a person will not be able to keep or have in his possession within the City any cat unless a license under the Bill has been first obtained in respect of that cat and the applicable fee paid.
A license for a cat may only be issued or renewed under the Bill if the applicant makes an application to the County Government and provides proof that the owner has premises fit to control the cat.
Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja speaking during the commissioning of the NHC Langata Water project on August 7, 2023. /JOHNSON SAKAJA
The Bill also proposes that every cat in the capital city aged over three months shall be vaccinated against rabies by a veterinary surgeon at least once a year and a vaccination certificate issued by the veterinary surgeon which shall be retained by the owner at all times.
“Every cat license issued under this Bill, unless cancelled under the provisions of this Bill, shall expire on the thirty-first (31) day of December next following the date on which the license is issued and shall be valid only in respect of the cat for which it was issued,” the Bill reads in part.
The County government further proposed that a cat license fee shall be Ksh200 and shall be subjected to revision in the current Finance Act and shall become due upon the issue or renewal of a license.
For cases of replacement of a cat license, a replacement license or license tag may be issued upon payment of the fee of Ksh100 or as specified in the current Finance Act, when; written evidence has been adduced to the Head of County Veterinary Services that the original license has been lost, destroyed or stolen, or a valid license for the cat has been issued in another jurisdiction and the license and receipt are surrendered to the County Government.
Furthermore, one license shall be issued free of charge for a cat which has been neutered during the twelve months immediately preceding the application for the license subject to the owner providing a copy of a certificate from the veterinary surgeon that the cat has been neutered.
“If the ownership of a licensed cat changes hands, the new owner may be issued a new license by the Head of County Veterinary Services upon payment of the transfer fee of Ksh100 or as specified in the current Finance Act,” adds the Bill.
“Provided that the license issued to the previous owner of a cat shall be surrendered to the County Government when a new one is issued. The County Government may waive the license fees for a cat at its discretion.”
The Head of County Veterinary Services shall keep a record of the name and address of the owner of every cat licensed under the provisions of the proposed Bill, the date the license was issued, a description of the cat, and the amount of fees paid.
Cat Kennels
Other than licensing, the proposals set stern regulations for kennels that house cats, with the facilities required to meet specific criteria to be licensed by the county.
The regulations stipulate that kennels must provide adequate space, ventilation, and hygiene to ensure the health and comfort of the cats.
“A person may only breed cats for commercial purposes or run a boarding kennel in an area of Nairobi County declared as an agricultural or stock zone under a written law. A person holding a valid kennel license shall not cause or permit the keeping or harbouring of a parcel of more cats than is stated under the terms of his kennel license. A kennel license is not transferable to another person or to another parcel,” add the proposals.
The kennel license fee has been proposed to be Ksh5,000 or as may be reviewed from time to time in the current Finance Act.
The Bill also proposes for a person to be barred from keeping more than four cats in any premises unless the owner of the premises operates a breeding kennel which is solely for the purpose of breeding purebred cats and complies with the provisions of the Bill, which adds that anyone contravening the provisions of the clause is guilty of an offence.
Stray Cats
The bill includes measures to address the issue of stray cats, which has been a growing concern in Nairobi. As a result, animal control officers will be empowered to capture and manage stray cats humanely.
Captured cats will be checked for licenses and vaccinations, and efforts will be made to reunite them with their owners or find them new homes if they are unclaimed.
Cats’ Behaviour
Furthermore, the proposals will mandate Nairobi residents to control their felines’ behaviour, especially within a neighbourhood or a residential building housing several residents.
“A person shall not allow, permit or cause a cat to scream or otherwise cry in a manner that disturbs the quiet, peace, rest, enjoyment, comfort or convenience of a person in the neighbourhood or vicinity of the place where the cat is kept. A person who contravenes the provisions of this clause shall be guilty of an offence,” adds the drafted Bill.
A cat posing for a photo. /REDDIT
Finally, a person who owns a female cat in heat will be required to confine it or cause it to be confined in a building or enclosure so that it cannot come in contact with other cats, except those belonging to that owner. This is provided that such a cat may be conveyed under the control of a competent person to a veterinary clinic or a boarding kennel.
According to PDSA, a heat (or season) is when a female cat is fertile and can get pregnant. A cat’s first season is usually around 4-12 months old, in the first spring after they’re born.
Unless they are spayed, they will then continue to come on heat every year from around February (once the days start to get longer), until around October (unless they get pregnant or have a phantom/ false pregnancy).