In a unique initiative to promote pet registration with Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), pet parents will gather at Vastrapur lake today for a special parade. The Republic Day event aims to reach maximum pet owners across the city.
The Dog Lovers Club, Ahmedabad, alongside pet parents and veterinarians, has organised this parade. “We want people to come forward and do the needful for pets’ safety,” said Dr Hiren Thakkar, a city-based veterinarian leading the event.
Digital push
“Though AMC has given three months for pet registration, the response has been lukewarm so far. Registration will help in tracking vaccinations and maintaining records that can prove useful in future,” Dr Thakkar added.
AMC has mandated pet dog registration from January 1, 2025, aligning with the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination from India (NAPRE). Pet owners can register through ahmedabadcity.gov.in by paying Rs 200 per dog. While pet lovers welcome this move, some face technical hurdles in registration. AMC estimates the city has 50,000 to 55,000 pet dogs.
Expert speak
Salomi Gupte, a professional dog trainer and behaviourist, told Mirror, “This move by the corporation is praiseworthy as it will help pet parents face fewer issues in residential societies due to official registration. It might also reduce pet abandonment.” “However, many pet parents are facing issues with online registration, possibly due to traffic overload. AMC should address this to make the process smoother and increase publicity through various mediums,” she added. Naitik Bhatt from Dog Lovers Club, Ahmedabad said, “Vaccination protects dogs from deadly viruses like rabies and ensures human safety too.”
Speaking about the parade, he added, “Through such activities, we want to create awareness among pet parents about civic sense during walks, pet care, training dogs to behave well in public spaces and maintaining hygiene.”