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Chennai: In a bid to strengthen pet regulation and curb violations, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has decided to launch a door-to-door survey to identify pet dogs that are not licensed or microchipped.
The civic body, which made microchipping mandatory earlier this month, plans to impose a fine on owners who fail to comply after the grace period. The initiative follows poor public response to GCC’s updated online portal for pet registration, which went live on October 3.
Despite the convenience of the digital process, so far only about 120 dog owners have come forward to register and microchip their pets. Concerned over the lack of participation, the corporation aims to intensify awareness and enforcement through a direct verification campaign.
According to officials, a formal proposal to approve the survey will be presented in the upcoming Corporation Council meeting. Once approved, survey teams will visit homes across the city to check for unlicensed dogs and verify vaccination and microchip details.
Pet owners found without a valid license will be asked to regularize their pets within a stipulated time before being fined. The measure is part of a broader effort to improve animal welfare and ensure public safety by maintaining accurate records of the city’s pet population.
The corporation’s decision comes amid growing concern over the increasing number of abandoned dogs, especially exotic breeds, on Chennai streets and beaches.
Financial stress and lack of experience in handling imported breeds have been cited as major reasons the city has seen a rise in cases of pet abandonment in the last year. Animal welfare organizations have urged authorities to strengthen enforcement as well as focus on awareness campaigns about responsible pet ownership.
They emphasize that cooperation between GCC officials and volunteers will be crucial during the vaccination and sterilization campaign.
While the microchipping initiative is primarily targeted at domestic pets, civic authorities have clarified that stray dogs will continue to be managed through existing vaccination and birth control programs rather than microchipping.
The corporation believes that the new enforcement mechanism will bring accountability towards pet ownership and ensure that the city’s animal population is better monitored and protected.
–IANS