Cat owners in the city might soon be required to license and vaccinate their pets, under new regulations introduced by the Nairobi County Government.

This is among a raft of proposals contained in the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024, which mandates that all cat owners obtain a license for each feline they keep within the city limits.

The license must be renewed annually and is subject to a fee of two hundred shillings, which is subject to revision in the current Finance Act.

"A person shall not keep or have in his possession within the City any cat unless a license under this Bill has been first obtained in respect of that cat and the applicable fee paid," the Bill states.

To obtain a license, owners must apply to the County Government and provide proof that their premises are suitable for cat control. 

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In addition to licensing, all cats over three months old must be vaccinated against rabies by a registered veterinary surgeon.

Owners must retain a vaccination certificate issued by the vet at all times.

"Every cat in the 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," the Bill states.

The County Government has outlined provisions for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed licenses, as well as transferring ownership of licensed cats.

Replacement licenses and license tags can be obtained upon payment of a fee of one hundred shillings or as specified in the current Finance Act.

"A replacement license or license tag may be issued upon payment of the fee of shillings one hundred or as specified in the current Finance Act, when; (a) Written evidence has been adduced to the Head of County Veterinary Services that the original license has been lost, destroyed or stolen, or (b) A valid license for the cat has been issued in another jurisdiction and the license and receipt are surrendered to the County Government," the Bill states.

The Bill also includes an incentive for cat neutering.

Owners who can provide a certificate from a veterinary surgeon confirming that their cat has been neutered within the past twelve months can obtain a free license.

"One license shall be issued free of charge for a cat which has been neutered during the twelve months' period immediately preceding the application for the license subject to the owner providing a copy of a certificate from veterinary surgeon that the cat has been neutered," the Bill states.

The new regulations have sparked debate among cat owners in Nairobi, with some expressing concerns about the additional costs and responsibilities involved.

However, the County Government maintains that the measures are necessary to protect public health and safety.

The deadline for compliance with the new regulations has not yet been announced.