A story of an Aktobe resident who had to pay a fine of 43,000 tenge for feeding cats near her home is gaining traction on social media. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The letter from the animal lover was published on Instagram by the newspaper "Diapazon". The woman said that after a complaint from a neighboring salon, a local police officer issued a citation for violating animal walking rules. According to her, some of the cats she fed in the yard were stray.

The post garnered hundreds of outraged comments, with most users supporting the woman. Aktobe residents said they do not understand why people are punished for helping stray animals.

"What harm do cats do to you? Look at Turkey, where they live peacefully alongside people," one commenter wrote.

"If there are no cats, the city will be overrun by rats and mice," other residents noted.

Some users also called on authorities to pay more attention to supporting shelters and animal sterilization rather than fining people for feeding them.

Lawyer Alena Dulya advised the Aktobe resident to exercise her right to appeal the citation.

"Cats are walked on a harness and leash. However, the law also contains the concept of self-walking. If self-walking did not cause harm to health, life, or property, then the obligation to compensate for damage does not arise," the lawyer believes.

She noted that animal trapping is only possible in cases where they pose a threat to people or are carriers of dangerous diseases.

Incidentally, in Kazakhstan, there is no fine for the mere act of feeding stray cats and dogs. This has been repeatedly clarified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Center for Combating Disinformation.

However, liability may arise if food waste remains after feeding or the area becomes littered—for example, in a yard, park, or square. In such a case, it may be regarded as a violation of landscaping rules or littering in an unauthorized place. This carries a fine of 10 MCI (43,250 tenge), and for a repeated violation, 20 MCI (86,500 tenge) or community service.

Separately, there is liability for violating rules for keeping and walking pets. A first violation carries a warning or a fine of 3 MCI (12,975 tenge), and if actions cause harm to people or property, 10 MCI (43,250 tenge).

Meanwhile, this is not the first time Aktobe residents have raised the issue of stray cats. Due to rodents attacking the city, the problem of attitudes toward stray cats has become more acute for residents.

Earlier, Kursiv wrote about how hordes of mice literally took over Aktobe. About 50 million tenge was allocated from the budget for deratization of the city.

However, Kaznet users consider treatment against rats and mice with poisons dangerous for residents. According to residents, ordinary stray cats could save the situation more ecologically.

A similar topic was raised in Almaty, where residents worry that squirrels will suffer due to rat poisoning in the city.

Yesterday, Kursiv wrote that Kazakhstan is preparing new fines for dog owners and animal abusers.