Cat owners in Kashmir, who are thrown into a tied time via virus posts

By Mukhtar Khan, Associated Press

Srinagar, India (AP) cat lover in the Indian-controlled cashmere were in a Tizzte. Panic distribution and local veterinarians saw an increase in pet owners with their cats – all because of posts that became viral on social media.

It began with a warning in January of veterinarians in the controversial Himalaya region, in which the cat population has increased in recent years, partly because of stray cats that roam free and animal shops that brought in ever more expensive breeds to keep up with local demand.

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People are waiting with their pet cats outside of the Kashmir -Veterinary Hospital in Srinagar, Indian, checked Kashmir, Thursday, February 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

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The veterinarians said it was an increase in infections in the cat population due to the lack of vaccination and abuse of strays.

What a warning note should be was misinterpreted. Video clips and news reports claim that cats potentially transmit fatal infections to people and that diseases of cats can lead to miscarriages in women.

Days later, the region's animal husbandry made an explanation in which he existed that there was no harm to keep cats as pets as long as proper hygiene is maintained.

But the statement did little to calm down pet owners in Kashmir, where cats in the Islamic folklore have long been worshiped for their cleanliness and intelligent and intelligent creatures.

Mubashir, a local businessman who lives on the outskirts of Srinagar, the capital of the region, said that the posts and reports were worried. His heart heavy, he took Liger, his Persian Kitty, to her vet to make sure that she was doing well.

“I'm really afraid,” he said. It was only after the veterinarian's assurance that everything was good, he calmed down.

Altaf Gilani, the head of the main hospital in Srinagar, said that they had examined 2,594 cats in the first seven weeks of this year, compared to a total of 1,010 cats in January and February last year.

If regular dewormings, vaccinations and hygiene protocols are observed, pet owners are not at risk, he said.

Katzen, like in Kashmir, is seen in a region that is long plagued by conflicts as stress buster and mood elevator.

Kashmir between Pakistan and India, but claimed by both in its entirety, recently saw two hard lockdowns when the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi calmed down the region's half autonomy during the Coronavirus pandemic and again in 2020.

More and more people began to adopt stray cats during the lock. Children were encouraged to play with them – experts called it house therapy.

“Cats cause them to love them and they will be tied as soon as they spend time with them,” said Mujtaba Hussain, another cat owner.

This photo gallery of the Associated Press photographer Mukhtar Khan underlines some of Kaschmiri's love for her cat companions.

Originally published: March 4, 2025 at 12:43 p.m. PST

Cat owners in Kashmir, who are thrown into a tied time via virus posts

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