Vets: Licensing of pets critical to monitoring public health

Mumbai: With 2,629 licenced dogs, city's K-West ward, which includes areas such as Juhu, Lokhandwala and Oshiwara in Andheri West, emerged as the top neighbourhood for responsible pet ownership, revealed data from the BMC."We seek very basic details when pet owners apply for a license, like details of the dog, veterinary doctor, date of recent rabies and leptospirosis vaccinations, whether adopted, purchased, or transferred. Once the details are submitted, the application is sent to the concerned BMC office for scrutiny, and once the same is approved, which happens within seven days, the applicant will get an approval email on the registered email address.

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Veterinarians say they routinely raise the issue with dog owners during first consultations, stressing the importance of licensing as a way to ensure dogs are vaccinated, breeds are recorded, and that the BMC has a better understanding of the city's pet population - critical for public health monitoring and planning. Dr Priti Sathe, a veterinarian based in Vikhroli, said there is a noticeable rise in awareness about pet licenses among dog owners compared to previous years.

"Many pet parents now proactively ask about it during their visit," she said. However, she stressed the need for the BMC to extend the licensing system to cats as well, citing the city's growing population of pet owners.Dr Pathan confirmed that the process to include cats under the licensing framework is already underway. Besides, he also said that plans are afoot for having a dedicated number for citizens to call and seek any assistance related to pet or stray animals.

"Currently, citizens call the civic disaster control room number 1916 with all queries, but then such a dedicated number will help better track any issues related to pets or stray animals," said Dr Pathan.Pawan Sharma, Founder and President of RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare) and Member of the Committee to Monitor Animal Welfare Laws in Maharashtra, constituted by Bombay High Court and Govt of Maharashtra, pointed at the increasing instances of smuggling of exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, and fish - many of which are frequently seized at Mumbai airport - and hence said that it's more important that the civic body must start regulating cats and other non-canine pets.

"Pet ownership is no longer limited to just dogs. We need a comprehensive registry of all pets in the city," he said.