Nairobi County Suggests Strict Laws On Ownership of Cats, Chicken & Livestock

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The Nairobi City County Assembly has introduced the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024, a comprehensive legislation focused on enhancing animal care, control, and welfare within the city. The bill aims to foster a balanced and harmonious relationship between residents and animals.

Once approved by Governor Johnson Sakaja, the bill will come into effect, marking a significant step towards regulating and improving the treatment of animals across Nairobi. Prior to its implementation, the bill is scheduled for public participation on August 2, allowing stakeholders and the public to contribute their views and suggestions.

This legislative initiative underscores Nairobi’s commitment to promoting responsible animal ownership, ensuring humane treatment of animals, and addressing various issues related to animal control and welfare within the city limits.

The is divided into several parts, each focusing on specific categories of animals and their welfare requirements.

The key sections of the proposed bill include:

Welfare and Control of Cats

Mandatory Licensing for Cats

One of the key provisions of the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 is the mandatory licensing requirement for all cat owners in the city. Under this new regulation, cat owners will be obligated to obtain a license for each cat they own, with a fee set at Sh200 per cat.

The licensing requirement is aimed at ensuring responsible ownership and the welfare of cats in Nairobi. Owners will need to renew the license annually, demonstrating proof of rabies vaccination for their cats and ensuring they are kept in conditions that promote their health and well-being.

The licensing process is designed to be simple and straightforward, involving providing proof of vaccination and paying the prescribed fee. This systematic approach aims to effectively monitor and manage the cat population in Nairobi, ultimately reducing issues related to stray and abandoned cats in the city.

By implementing this initiative, the Nairobi City County Assembly seeks to enhance animal welfare standards, promote responsible pet ownership, and mitigate public health risks associated with unvaccinated or neglected cats.

Standards for Cat Kennels

In addition to the introduction of mandatory licensing for cat owners, the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 also imposes stringent regulations on kennels that house cats within the city limits.

Under these regulations, kennels must meet specific criteria in order to obtain and maintain their county license. Key requirements include providing adequate space, proper ventilation, and maintaining high standards of hygiene to safeguard the health and comfort of the cats housed there.

Furthermore, the bill mandates regular inspections of these kennels by designated animal control officers. These inspections are crucial for verifying compliance with the established standards. If any non-compliance issues are identified during inspections, immediate corrective measures will be required to rectify the situation.

By enforcing these regulations, the Nairobi City County aims to ensure that all facilities housing cats maintain optimal conditions that promote animal welfare. This proactive approach is intended to enhance standards of care for cats across the city and to uphold responsible management practices within the animal care sector.

Stray Cats

The Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 includes provisions specifically aimed at addressing the increasing issue of stray cats in the city.

Under these measures, animal control officers will be authorized and equipped to humanely capture and manage stray cats. Upon capture, stray cats will undergo checks to ascertain their licensing status and vaccination records. Efforts will then be made to reunite them with their owners, if identified, or to find suitable new homes for unclaimed cats.

This approach aims to tackle the challenges posed by stray cats in Nairobi by promoting responsible ownership and ensuring that all cats within the city are accounted for and properly cared for. By empowering animal control officers to manage stray animals in a humane manner and enforcing compliance with licensing and vaccination requirements, the bill seeks to enhance animal welfare standards while addressing public concerns related to stray animals.

Enforcement and Penalties:

To ensure compliance with the new regulations, the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 includes rigorous enforcement measures. Animal control officers will be empowered to enforce these regulations by issuing fines and penalties to owners who fail to comply with licensing requirements and care standards for their animals. Repeat offenders may face escalating fines and potential legal consequences.

Welfare and Control of Livestock:

The bill also establishes strict regulations governing the keeping of various livestock species, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. These regulations outline standards for animal housing, such as cowsheds and pens, to ensure the welfare of these animals.

Additionally, the welfare and management of farmed fish, game, and rabbits are addressed in the bill, with detailed guidelines concerning their care, transportation, and humane slaughter practices.

Overall, the bill sets forth comprehensive guidelines aimed at ensuring that livestock owners uphold high standards of animal welfare. These guidelines encompass provisions for appropriate housing, nutrition, medical care, and overall management practices to safeguard the well-being of livestock and promote responsible animal husbandry within Nairobi City County.

Housing Standards:

The Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 mandates specific housing standards tailored to different types of livestock to ensure they are kept in humane and healthy conditions:

Cowsheds: Must be constructed to provide ample space, proper ventilation, and protection from extreme weather conditions.
Pens: For pigs and other small livestock, pens must offer sufficient space for movement, proper drainage for cleanliness, and adequate shelter.
Poultry Housing: Must include nesting areas, perches, and enough space for natural behaviors like dust bathing and foraging.

Veterinary Care and Vaccinations:

The bill requires livestock owners to schedule regular veterinary check-ups and administer vaccinations against common diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease and swine fever. Owners are also responsible for promptly seeking medical attention for their animals in case of illness or injury.

Transportation and Slaughter Regulations:

Transportation and slaughter of livestock are subject to stringent regulations to ensure humane treatment:

Transportation: Livestock must be transported in vehicles with adequate space, ventilation, and protection from injury. Overloading is prohibited, and rest periods are mandatory during long journeys.
Slaughter: The bill mandates humane slaughter practices, ensuring animals are rendered insensible to pain before slaughter. Slaughterhouses must adhere to specific hygiene and operational standards for licensing.

Welfare of Farmed Fish, Game, and Rabbits:

The welfare guidelines extend to farmed fish, game, and rabbits, emphasizing care, housing, and transportation that supports natural behaviors and well-being.

Enforcement and Penalties:

To enforce compliance, the bill appoints animal control officers empowered to conduct regular inspections of livestock facilities. These officers can issue fines and penalties for non-compliance, with severe or repeated violations potentially leading to higher fines and legal action.

Overall, the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 aims to elevate standards of animal care and welfare across Nairobi, promoting responsible ownership and ensuring humane treatment of all animals within the county.