Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Dec 25 : Kashmir is witnessing an alarming rise in cat bite cases, prompting health officials to call for a dedicated “cat census” and stricter enforcement of pet vaccination norms.
An official said that a significant share of anti-rabies resources is now being consumed by cat-related exposures.
A senior official at the Anti Rabies Clinic (ARC), SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that nearly 12,000 dog and cat bite cases have been reported at the clinic so far this year. Of these, over 6,500—more than half—are cat bite cases, surpassing dog bite incidents for the first time in recent years.
He revealed that the ARC spends around ₹40 lakh annually on anti-rabies treatment, and nearly 60 per cent of this expenditure is now being used for managing cat bite cases alone, putting added pressure on an already stretched public health system.
“This trend is deeply concerning. Cat bite cases are consuming a considerable portion of our resources. It is time we think seriously about a cat census, just as we do for dogs,” the official said.
Health experts attribute the surge largely to the increasing trend of keeping cats as pets after the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with widespread lack of awareness about vaccination and responsible pet care.
“Many people believe cats are harmless and cannot transmit rabies, which is completely wrong. Cats can transmit rabies just like dogs if they are not vaccinated,” another official said, adding that more than 50 per cent of animal bite patients visiting ARC now report cat exposure.
Veterinarians and doctors said that while pet ownership has grown steadily in Kashmir, basic animal healthcare norms—such as vaccination, deworming, and regular check-ups—are often ignored.
They said keeping a pet is not just about companionship, but one must be mentally and financially prepared to ensure proper feeding, shelter, hygiene, vaccination, and medical care. Unfortunately, many people adopt cats without understanding this responsibility, they said.
The doctors highlighted a critical gap in current practices: while cats should be vaccinated, cat owners and family members—especially in households where cats roam freely—often remain unvaccinated, increasing the risk of exposure.
“In Kashmir, we see that even when cats are vaccinated occasionally, the people handling them are not. Ideally, if a family keeps cats, especially multiple ones, preventive vaccination of frequent handlers should also be considered. That is rarely happening,” an official said.
They stressed that unvaccinated pets, poor hygiene, irregular grooming, and neglect of dental care increase the risk of zoonotic diseases—those that can spread from animals to humans
Experts recommended essential guidelines for safe and responsible cat care, including mandatory rabies vaccination, routine deworming, maintaining hygiene, regular grooming, avoiding provoking cats, and seeking immediate medical attention after bites or scratches. They also warned that cat scratches can transmit toxoplasmosis, particularly dangerous during pregnancy.
“While such cases are rare, awareness and cleanliness are crucial, especially for pregnant women,” medical professionals said.
Health authorities reiterated that rabies is 100 per cent fatal once symptoms appear, claiming around 59,000 lives globally each year—mostly in Africa and Asia. “Neglecting pet vaccination can have deadly consequences. Prevention is far cheaper and safer than post-exposure treatment,” officials warned.
They urged the government to implement policy measures such as pet registration, vaccination drives, public awareness campaigns, and a comprehensive cat census to assess the population and allocate resources effectively.
“Responsible pet ownership is not just about animal welfare; it’s a public health issue. Preventive care protects animals, saves public money, and most importantly, saves human lives,” the officials said—(KNO)
