# Introduction et keeping practices have a long history in human societies. Mahabharata, which is the great Hindu epic, mentions that Yudhishthir, the great follower of the PATH OF DHARMA, had a dog as a pet (Mahabharata, MAHA-PRASTHANI PARVA). He had refused to pass the gate of heaven without his dog. Pet keeping practice is continuing in the modern age with diverse species of pets, and is now a symbol of modernization all over the world. In the context of Nepal, pet keeping practice is growing among the city dwellers. Dog, cat, different types of birds, reptiles are the common rearing pet in Nepal; however, it depends on people's passions and desires. There are several benefits of pet keeping like; health benefits through increasing the opportunity to exercise; regular walking or playing with a pet can decrease blood pressure, emotional and social benefits (Stull, Brophy & Weese, 2015). Similarly pet can help manage loneliness and depression by giving us companionship as well as security to households and society by some kinds of pet, i.e., dog. However, pets can be the source of several zoonotic diseases in different way. Pets can transmit infections to human either as a host (primary or secondary) or as healthy or asymptomatic carrier. Diseases which are transmitted between animal to human or vice versa are called zoonoses. World Health Organization (WHO) defines, 'Zoonoses are those diseases and infections which are naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and human'. There are several zoonotic diseases prevalent in the world, often occurring as endemic, epidemic, or pandemic. The three recent worldwide viral outbreaks, namely SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory syndromes), the bird flu (H5N1), and the swine flu (H1N1), are all examples of zoonoses. Even the HIV is believed to be transmitted from chimpanzee to humans in the last century (Basnyat, 2013). Likewise, ongoing pandemic of "Novel Corona Virus (CoVID-19) outbreaks from China and terrifies all over the world with many fatal outcomes. According to WHO daily press conference of last April 2020, more than two hundred countries of the world affected by the disease; however, USA, Spain, Italy, UK, China are badly affected by the disease until March 2020 and, still now it is spreading rapidly throughout the world. Although the source of COVID-19 is not exactly determined by the epidemiologist, but they had concluded that this is from animal sources (zoonoses). So based on facts and findings, most of the human diseases (more than 60 percent) come from animal sources (Niroula, 2016) and also due to illiteracy, poverty, or might be negligence -pet owners are exposed to the risk of zoonotic diseases. People who are in close contact with animals (pets) and have inadequate knowledge or poor practices are more susceptible to zoonoses. Livestock farmers, veterinarians, para veterinarians are close to animals due to their profession, and pet owners are also close to their pets. Similarly, most of them keep their pets inside the house and even in the same bed. Some people enjoy pets by kissing pets and playing with them. Due to the lack of proper studies, we have not actual data about incidence and prevalence of petrelated zoonoses in Nepal and also have not an idea about the knowledge, practices, and perception related to zoonoses among pet owners. So this study tries to identify the risk of zoonoses among pet owners in Kathmandu Nepal based on their existing knowledge, practices and perceived threats related to zoonoses and explore the factors associated with it. # II. # Method This study was descriptive and cross-sectional study design. Data was collected from three randomly selected wards of Kathmandu metropolitan (ward no 3, 16, and 26). All the respondents who visited the park of these three wards were interviewed. A total of 143 pet owners were the sample of the study. # III. # Data Collection Procedure Respondents were interviewed with a semistructure questionnaire on different aspects of pet management knowledge, practices, and perception on zoonotic diseases. The questionnaire was prepared and pre -tested before the final data collection. Researchers visited the Pet owners on the respected wards (parks). Afterd is closing the purpose and methods to the respondents, the researcher started collecting the information from the respondents. # IV. # Ethical Approval No ethical approval was required for this study, as it was a survey-based study. However, verbal consent was taken during data collection process from all participants. V. # Results After the interview every questionnaire was checked thoroughly. Questionnaires containing any obscure or misunderstood answered were excluded during the final data analysis. Data were entered into MS excel and exported into IBM SPSS 20 version for descriptive data analysis. 1 reveals the socio -demographic status of the respondents. Among 143 respondents, a higher percentage were 30-39 years 49 (43.26%), and least 3 (2.09%) were above70. The majority of the respondents, 75 (52.4%), were Brahmin/ Chettri. Likewise, Janajati were 65 (45.5%), and Dalits were 2 (1.4%). Basis of religion, most of the respondents 120 (83.9%) were Hindu, and 19 (13.3%) were Buddhists. Christian and Muslim were very negligible 1.4 and 0.7 percentages respectively. All respondents found literate and, most of them, 126 (88.11%) had a more than higher secondary education. Economically most of the respondents 108 (75.52%) were below fifty thousand average monthly income (n=143). Most of the pet owners, 124 (86.7%) kept dogs, 18 (12.58%) kept cats, and only 1 (0.7%) kept tortoise as a pet in their households. Likewise, 54 (37.76%), 43 (30.06%), 33 (23.07%) respondents kept their pet for security, self-hobby and children pressure respectively, but 13 (9.09%) were not any specific purpose. # Figure 1: Heard about the Zoonotic Diseases n=143 Figure 1 shows that almost all 142 (99.3%) respondents had heard about rabies. Similarly, more than two-third of the respondents had heard about bird flu and swine flu, but still, only 41.25%, 37.76%, 29.37%, 11.88%, and 6.9% had heard about pet related allergy, Neuro-cysticercos is (NCC), brucellosis, salmonellas is, and toxoplasmosis respectively. Similarly among 143 respondents, the majority (138, 96.50%) had agreed that their pets could be the source of zoonotic disease. Figure 2: Sources of information about Zoonoes (n=143) Figure2 showed that pet owners obtained the information from more than one source. Most of the respondents, 132 (92.3%) said that their sources of knowledge about zoonoses was radio/television. Health workers were also found to be are mark able source of information for zoonoses 80 (55.9%). 86 (60.1%) respondents learned that knowledge from the school/college curriculum. Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) were sources of information for 10 (7.0%) respondents. But in contrast, social mobilizers who are main agents of communication in societies were found to have a minimal role in disseminating information about zoonoses (1, 0.7%). Results showed that most of the respondents (134, 93.7%) followed the recommended vaccination schedule. However, few (8, 5.6%) pet owners never provided vaccines for their pets. The reason for not immunizing pets was lack of information (6, 60%) and lack of time (2, 40%). Table 2 showed that most of the pet owners followed the safety measures. Out of 143 respondents, 90.90% consult the vet during the sickness of their pets, but 9.0% of them still go for conservative practices. Similarly, 14.68% of respondents had kept their petsout side the living room, 81.11%had kept inside the room on separate places, but around 4.0%ofrespondents replied that keep their pets in their living room and sometimes in the same bed. Likewise 79.03% of pet owners used public places (road or park) for defecation to their pets. However, all respondents who had cats as pets used to defecate pets inside their house. Feeding practices showed that 76.92% used the same food for family members and pets, 4.19% were giving leftover food, and 18.88% provided readymade food bought from the market. Figure 3 showed that majority of the pet owners 125 (87.41%) had no experience of pet died in their household however 18 (12.58%) had faced death incidence. Most common cause of death of pets were aging (27.77%), scabies (16.66%), food poisoning (11.11%), heart attacks (11.11%), and injury (11.11%) while 22.22% of the respondents had killed their pets due to aggressive behaviour. 4 showed that overall perception towards the pet -related zoonoses. Total of 143 respondents were rating in five scales Likert with different seven statements showed that the majority of respondents perceived positively. # VI. # Discussion Pets have been the potential sources of numerous human infectious diseases. However the situation of zoonotic diseases in developing counties like Nepal is not known due to lack of proper studies. It is estimated that nearly two -third of the emerging zoonoses that are viral or vector -borne raising from birds, rodents, and pigs, will also rise from household pets (Smith & Whitfield, 2014). Several research findings have revealed that most of the pet owners have inadequate knowledge related to pet husbandry and infection control practices even in developed countries. The majority of the respondents 49 (34%) were 30-39 years of age and only 3 (2.09%) were above 70 years who were visited in different parks in Kathmandu with their pets for recreation. Among the owners, most of them kept dogs 124 (86.7%), and 18 (12.58%) kept cats as pets. Only one (0.7%) respondent was found keeping tortoise in their household as a pet, which may represent the variety of pets species in Kathmandu. Most of the households in Kathmandu keep dog as a pet but proportion of families with exotic pets was very low as compared to Canada where 56% homes have at least one dog or cat and other having fish (12%), birds (5%), rabbits or hamsters (each 2%), lizards, guinea pigs, snakes, frogs, turtles or gerbils (each 1%) in their family (Stull, Peregrine, Sargeant & Weese, 2013). Similarly, in USA more than fifty percent of households own at least one pet, and the number of exotic pet business are increasing. Over 72 million dogs and nearly 82 million cats, 40,000 primates, 4 million birds, 640,000 reptiles, and 350 million tropical fish are live traded world-wide each year (Smith& Whitfield, 2014). In Kathmandu, the purpose of pet keeping found diverse. Out of 143 respondents, 54 (37.71%) kept for security purposes, 34 (30 %) for their hobby, 33 (23%) due to children's pressure, while 13 (9.09%) were keeping pets without any specific purpose. Nepali society has a very long history of pet keeping in their households, especially cats and dogs. But religion has not significant difference with pet keeping practices in Kathmandu. People of a different religions were found keeping pets, although the majority of them were Hindus and dogs were the most preferred pets (n=124, 86.7%). Rabies, bird flu, and swine flu were the most familiar zoonotic diseases among respondents, which represent 99.3, 84.6, and 71.32%, respectively. On the other hand brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, and NCC, which are also equally important pet associated zoonoses, pet owners were found to have poor knowledge. So they were vulnerable for zoonoses and also the risk for epidemic and pandemic transmission. Smith and Whitfield (2014) also state that household pets, such as cats, dogs, turtles, ornamental fish, baby chicks, gerbils, frogs and lizards have been associated with outbreaks of zoonotic disease in USA and Canada. Radio, television were the main sources of information about the zoonotic disease. Although health workers and school/collage curriculum also contribute a pivotal role for knowledge transmission about zoonoses. Along with increment in school enrolment rate in Nepal, incorporation of information in the academic curriculum about the zoonotic disease may contribute to enhancing knowledge about zoonotic diseases. In this study most of the respondents consult vet during pet's sickness 130 (90%) but, 13 (10%) respondents in Kathmandu still seek conservative/traditional practices, and cat owners don't provide vaccines. Data also showed that 116 (81.11%) n=143, pet owners kept their pets in separate places inside the house while 21 (14.68%) were keeping outdoor. However, 6 (4.19%) respondents allow easy access to their bed and slept with them, which may be recent and risky practices in Nepalese societies however most of them maintain the hygiene of their pet. These type of practices were also found in Canada, where children are close contact with dogs and dogs were slept in child's bed (26%) or licked a child face (68%) sometimes or more frequently (Stull et al., 2013)which is most dangerous for zoonoses. Out of 143 respondents, 12.38% experienced the death of a pet in their households with a variety of causes. 5 (27.77%) pets were found deceased due to aging. Food poisoning, heart attack, and injury -related death contribute equally to death (11.11 percentage). But 4 (22.22%) pets were killed by owners due to pets' aggressive behavior and 3 (26.66%) died due to disease like scabies. 110 (76.92%) respondents were feeding the same family food while 6 (4.19%) were feeding left-over food, but 27 (18.88%) respondents usually buy the readymade food from the market for their pets. Feeding practices of pets was associated with the economic status of the respondents. Stull et al. (2013) showed a similar finding is that developed countries like Canada 92.4% (n=244) owners feeding their pet commercial canned/dry food whose economic status found sound. Another serious issue in Kathmandu is the open defecation of the pet animals (especially dog). Public defecation (park and street) practice was found among 113 (79.03%) pet owners, especially among dog owners which have raised public attention against it due to associated risk of zoonotic disease transmission. The study conducted in Denmark, which was observed at 72 puppies and kittens between 11 and 17 years of age, 29% of fecal samples from the puppies were positive for campylobacter, and many had C. Jejuni infection (O' Rourke, 2002). So the open defecation of pets is not only associated with the transmission of zoonoses but also distracts the beauties of the city. Knowledge on different aspects of zoonoses found sound on rabies, bird flu, and swine flu. However, knowledge on brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, salmonellosis, and NCC, which are diseases equally risky by pets was found, poor respondents. Only4.2% of respondents know about the mode of transmission, sign/symptoms, and preventive measures of all seven studied diseases. However, 38.5, 24.5, and 23.1% of the respondents had knowledge on the mode of transmission, sign/symptoms, and preventive measures respectively in any three zoonotic diseases and 5.6% respondents had not any idea of sign/symptoms and preventive measures of all seven diseases. Which indicate pet owners in Kathmandu had a poor knowledge of zoonoses. Majority of the respondents 102 (71.32%) said that rabies is a 100% fatal zoonotic disease but 41 (28.68%) respondents had poor knowledge about the possible outcome of rabies and only 75 (52.44%) respondents have knowledge that ARV is freely available up to district level government hospital in Nepal. Educational status had positive association with perception about zoonoses. There were seven positive statements related to zoonoses prevention in which 69 G to 95% of respondents were fully agreed or agreed in which 89% of respondents had secondary to higher level of education. But Smith and Whitfield (2014) mention that many pet owners in Canada often unaware of the risk of their pets, as a result, engage in husbandry and hygiene practices that increase the likelihood of acquiring diseases. However, they have sound education which found the reverse to compare with our study. This means only formal education may not be sufficient to create health -related a ware ness in the community. Based on the study, few practices related to pet keeping were found satisfactory like consultation with veterinarian during pet sickness, place of pet keeping, and timely vaccination. However, more than two thirds (79.03%) of respondents were practicing open defecation to their pets, and sharing the same bed (4.19%) increased the susceptibility for zoonoses. Likewise, overall knowledge related to zoonoses found poor.95% of the respondents are facing zoonotic risks either due to low knowledge of the mode of transmission, or sign/ symptoms, or on preventive methods, or by harmful pet keeping practice. But despite of poor knowledge they perceived zoonotic threats, which may be due to the influence of sociocultural practices. # VII. # Conclusion Pet contributes to human societies for physical as well as psycho-social well being; however, due to ignorance and illiteracy about zoonotic diseases associated with pets, owners are facing zoonoticrisk. In this study, respondents were found to have low knowledge basically on common zoonoses (i.e., brucellosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, NCC, etc.) and free availability of ARV in government hospital even among respondent with higher education. Improper pet handing practices like open defecation, bed sharing and inadequate knowledge on pet -related zoonoses have been identified as primary risk factors forpet owners. Formal education alone is not sufficient to provide knowledge on healthy pet keeping practice, the government should make the registry of pets and make provision to provide necessary skills and knowledge for pet owners. Further studies are necessary to determine the impact of interventions targeted to zoonotic diseases and pet keeping practice. Policy and intervention gaps should be fulfilled with the collaboration of multi-sectoral agencies like a one health concept. 3![Figure 3: Possible Causes of pets Died (n=18)](image-2.png "Figure 3 :") 456![Figure 4: Knowledge about mode of transmission of zoonotinc diseases](image-3.png "Figure 4 :Figure 5 :Figure 6 :") ![](image-4.png "") ![](image-5.png "") ![](image-6.png "") 1DescriptionFrequency (n= 143)PercentAge in year20 -291913.2830 -394934.2640 -494229.3750 -592215.3860 -6985.59Above 7032.097EthnicityDalits21.4Janajati6545.5Barmin/Chettri7552.4Others10.7ReligionHindu12083.9Buddies1913.3Christian21.4Muslim10.7Others10.7Education statusBasic Education (1-8)1611.18Higher Secondary (9-12)6948.3Above Bachelor5840.55Average monthly incomeBelow 50,00010875.52Above 50,0003524.47Species of petDog12486.7Cat1812.58 2Exposure 3Disease specific variablesFrequency n=143PercentageKnowledge about mood of transmission:Yes14299.30No10.7Knowledge about sign and symptoms:Yes13292.30No117.70Knowledge about Preventive measure:RabiesYes No Government of Nepal provide ARV free in cost130 1390.90 9.10Yes7552.44I don't know4531.46No2316.08Possible outcome of rabies:It is curable1611.18It is 100% fatal disease10271.46I don't know2517.48Knowledge about mood of transmissionYes10271.32flu SwineNo Knowledge about sign and symptoms Yes No Knowledge about preventive measures:41 84 5928.76 58.74 41.25Yes8660.13No5739.86Knowledge about mood of transmissionYes11882.51No2517.48fluKnowledge about sign and symptomsBirdYes No100 4369.93 30.06Knowledge about preventive measures:Yes10069.93No4330.06Knowledge about mood of transmissionYes3725.87BrucellosisNo Knowledge about sign and symptoms Yes No Knowledge about preventive measures:106 30 11374.12 20.97 79.02Yes3725.87No10674.12Knowledge about mood of transmissionToxoplasmosisYes No Knowledge about sign and symptoms Yes No Knowledge about preventive measures: Yes8 135 30 113 375.59 94.40 20.97 79.02 25.87No10674.12Table no 3 shows the disease based knowledge related to various aspects of zoonotic disease. 4DescriptionFully agree Number %Agree Numb er%Neutral Numb er %Disagree Numb er %Fully disagree Numb er %Most of the Human diseases are zoonotic:5538.466344.02013.9842.7910.69Raw meat/milk consumption are high risk for zoonoses:5135.667753.84149.7910.6900It is necessary to wash handwith soap water after contact9863.534410.690000the pet:Vaccination is necessary forpet to prevent10774.822920.2764.1910.6900communicable diseases:Dogs are the main sources of human rabies:8861.534027.97149.7910.6900Touches of pet faeces with bare hands is dangerous:8962.234732.8642.7921.3910.69It is high risk for zoonotictransmission if pregnant women and children are4732.867854.541510.4821.3910.69close contact with livestock:Table © 2020 Global Journals © 2020 Global Journals Zoonotic Risk for P et Owners in Kathmandu, Nepal * from animals to human Basnyat Jestha 07 1 2013. June 14-2013. 2070 Published in Magazine Issue * Risk of Zoonoses NNiroula 2016 Retrieved from; The Kathmandu Post * Zoonotic risks of pets: How to handle questions KO' Rourke 2002 * Household pets and zoonoses ASmith YWhitfield 10.5864/d2014-021 The Environmental Health Review 57 2 2014 * Pet husbandry and infection control practises related to zoonotic disease risk in Ontario JMStull ASPeregrine JMSargeant TSWeese Canada. BMC Public Health 13 520 2013. 2013 * Reducing the risk of pet associated zoonotic infections JStull JCBrophy JSWeese DOI:10.1503 /cmaj.141020 CMAJ/ JAMC 187 10 2015. 2015