Chancellor Whiskerwell says sardine prices are no longer sustainable for the average catizen.

Chancellor Whiskerwell addresses the press as economic tensions escalate in Meowtopia.

Posted: 5 days ago ・ 1 min read

With the cost of kibble up 17% and canned tuna experiencing a 2-week backorder due to Suez Canal disruptions (thanks, otters), Barkovia’s economic claws are out.

Chancellor Whiskerwell, head of the Feline Union and a noted tuna enthusiast, addressed the purrblic in an emergency session of Pawliament. "We are now facing a full-blown Catcession," he meowed. "We must stabilize the economy before nap time becomes a luxury."

Recent data shows the Barkovia Central Bank raised rates for the fourth time this quarter, while mice futures have dropped to their lowest in years. Meanwhile, Meow-topian youth are turning to gig work—delivering fresh sardines on PawDash and hosting ASMR grooming streams to make ends meet.

Calls are growing for universal basic catnip, though critics argue it will only increase scratching inflation.

Will Barkovia bounce back, or will austerity lead to mass hairball protests?