A culture of rearing cats and dogs, unlike traditional livestock, has started in Kashmir especially in Srinagar city. With human population showing a glaring decrease, pet population has increased tremendously during the recent past manifesting its natural behavioural repercussions in animal bites and bite related threats. As per the Anti-Rabies Clinic SMHS, Hospital Srinagar data cat bites rose from 1178 in 2022 to 4200 in 2024 and over 6500 in 2025 making a shocking 452 percent increase over the past three years. Since Jammu & Kashmir lacks a pet mandatory registration system, it has led to illegal breeding and trade practices of cats. Srinagar district has emerged as an epicenter of animal bites. Absence of proper monitoring, and illegal breeding practices have consequently paved way for mushrooming of pet clinics and pet shops putting a question mark over the human safety  and animal welfare. As a corollary there were 13951 animal bite cases in 2025 which bifurcate to 8347 cat bite cases, 5476 dog bite case and 128 others.

With significant numbers of cats and dogs in urban areas, cat bite cases outnumber the dog bite cases in Kashmir – a place where dog density is around 23 dogs per 1000 people as against the national average of 11 dogs per 1000 people  making  J and K rank second amongst the highest in the country. It is to recapitulate that while the Government  and the general public were  grappling with the problem dog bite cases, some citizens have created another one through inclination to feline culture.

The unique purpose of human existence is beyond indulgence in triviality. He has not been created for bringing up cats and dogs. Cats and dogs will take care of themselves through their natural in-built disposition. Let us take care of our own children. Invest resources in children as they are the future of nation and the humanity. By shaping minds we can contribute to shaping better future. Let us not limit our aspirations to the trifles which cause waste of resources & time.

Rearing cats and dogs is a misplaced priority consuming substantial finance and wealth of time. They are no stress relievers, mood elevators or mental well-being boosters as believed by some – terming it pet therapy. Solace lays in higher purpose. These feline and canine companions are no substitute for human company. Better take care of people who are homeless, physically & mentally ill, weak & elderly people abandoned, widows & widowers, orphans, girls of marriageable age waiting for henna on their hands, over-aged facing travel of life solo, school drop-outs for want of resources, and people battling fatal diseases. Prefer kids to kittens.

The author is a former Sr. Audit Officer and Consultant in the A.G’s Office Srinagar.

© Greater Kashmir