Six stray cats missing from hsg society, say animal feeders

Navi Mumbai: Some of the cat feeders in the satellite city are experiencing harassment from animal haters of late. A Nerul-based cat feeder informed that six of the local cats in her housing society complex have suddenly disappeared, and so they suspect foul play. While the CCTV footage has been demanded from the society, it has not yet been given to them.Another Vashi-based woman was threatened by a few animal haters recently and warned not to feed the local cats in the area.Talking to TOI, the Nerul cat feeder, Rajlaxmi Shukla, said: "We used to take care of over half a dozen cats (including kittens) in our Sahyadri Darshan housing society complex in sector 8. However, suddenly all of them have disappeared from the complex. We suspect foul play because just before the disappearance of cats, a message in Marathi had been posted on the society WhatsApp group that all those who take care of local cats must do so inside their houses, otherwise the society will take a decision on this issue."The feeder has saved this WhatsApp message and she has also collected mobile video evidence in which a watchman is talking about the local cats. "We have sent an online complaint to the Navi Mumbai police department and had also physically gone to Nerul police station in order to lodge a complaint, since dislodging cats from their territory is animal cruelty. However, so far, an FIR has not been done."At present, just one surviving cat, Cutie, is in this society complex, which Shukla is taking care of, and is also worried about her well-being.Nerul-based activist of Navi Mumbai Animal Protection Cell, Arati Chauhan, said: "Earlier, the animal haters were against dogs. But now, since dog numbers have reduced, they are targeting cats and cat feeders. Flimsy excuses are given by haters, that cats dirty the society premises among others. However, cats also have the right to life; and so the best solution is to co-exist and sterilize the cats in your respective areas."While Chauhan and a few other animal lovers have also complained to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), so far no further action has been done.Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) Dr Nandini Kulkarni, who is appointed by the high court committee to monitor animal welfare laws in Maharashtra, commented: "The animal birth control (ABC) programme, point number 20, specifically states that cats should also be sterilized like the local dogs. Also, cats are also territorial animals; hence if anyone forcibly dislodges them from their territory, then it is animal cruelty for which an FIR must be lodged."