By Mutayoba Arbogast
For centuries, cats have held a quiet but powerful place in homes and folklore across many societies. Sleek and stealthy, yet tender and playful, they’ve been both protectors of grain stores and companions by the fireside. But in Tanzania today, a troubling shift is underway—one that threatens the very presence of these once-beloved animals.
Growing up, the presence of a cat in our home was almost spiritual. It's meow soft and melodic, “nyau nyau”—was a familiar soundtrack to our childhood afternoons. It trailed behind my mother into the kitchen, brushing its tail against our legs as we laughed and played. And in the evenings, it curled by the hearth, soaking in the warmth of the fire.
But that nostalgia now clashes with a rising tide of superstition and misinformation. Especially in urban Tanzania, changing beliefs have cast a long, dark shadow over cats, particularly black ones, which some now see as harbingers of misfortune or even linked to witchcraft. These views, though deeply rooted in cultural misunderstanding, are having real consequences. In many communities, cats are being beaten, abandoned, or killed. Others are pushed out into the wild, forced to fend for themselves in territories where survival is far from guaranteed.
Dr. Neema Mwinuka, an animal behavior specialist from Sokoine University of Agriculture, puts it plainly: “We are witnessing the systematic erosion of respect for cats in our communities. They’re no longer seen as helpers, but as threats. This shift is driven more by myth than fact.”
According to data from the Tanzania Small Animal Veterinary Organisation (TADAVO) and the Director of Veterinary Services (DVS), the country has about two million domestic cats. That may sound substantial, but it's a small number compared to the estimated 220 million domestic cats globally, as reported by the World Animal Foundation. And of course, it pales in comparison to the 480 million feral cats that roam across continents.
In the Kagera Region specifically, the 2012 National Sample Census of Agriculture reported just 6,629 domestic cats. With over 685,000 households in the region as of the 2022 Population and Housing Census, that translates to roughly one cat for every 100 homes. It’s a startlingly low figure for an animal that has historically served as both companion and pest controller.
“In rural settings especially, the presence of cats is vital,” says Prof. Elibariki Mboya, an animal welfare lecturer at Sokoine. “They help control rodents, which otherwise destroy crops and food reserves. A decrease in the cat population directly affects food security and household hygiene.”
But the problem isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in the sentiment. Negative beliefs surrounding cats are deepening, sometimes amplified by baseless health fears. In my village, we were once warned to cover food and milk tightly—fearful whispers claimed cats could spread tuberculosis just by breathing. That fear, never backed by any science, led many to shut their doors to these animals altogether.
Then there's the matter of modern housing. With most homes now made of concrete and sealed tight, cats struggle to find outdoor spaces for their natural habits. Their famously discreet toilet behavior—digging small holes to bury waste—has been disrupted. Some have resorted to using maize flour containers or storage buckets as makeshift litter boxes, frustrating their human hosts and further eroding their welcome.
Still, those who grew up with cats know their value runs deeper than convenience. “There was always something noble about the way cats cleaned themselves, the way they respected your space and expected you to respect theirs,” recalls veteran animal researcher Dr. Rajabu Mshana of SUA. “They were like little guardians of the home—quiet, alert, and endlessly curious.”
To reverse this alarming trend, experts are calling for a new wave of public awareness. Education campaigns should not only encourage pet ownership but also focus on the cultural and environmental value of cats. Schools, community centers, and even places of worship can play a role in changing attitudes.
“The shift starts with children,” says Dr. Mwinuka. “If we teach them to see cats as smart, affectionate, and essential animals, they’ll grow up to be their protectors.”
Community members, too, can help restore the cat’s place in Tanzanian society. Providing food, shelter, and medical care—even to stray cats—can go a long way in building a safer environment for these animals. Equally important is confronting harmful superstitions with facts, compassion, and lived experience.
In truth, cats have always been more than just animals. They are quiet partners in our daily lives, pest controllers in our kitchens, and loyal companions by our firesides. Their decline is not just a loss for them—but a loss for us, too.
So perhaps it's time we remember what it felt like to be a child again, giggling as a cat’s tail brushed past us, listening for that soft, reassuring "nyau nyau" echoing through the home. Because if we’re not careful, that sound might disappear forever.
