Pawsitive change: Mumbai will soon get a vet hospital, pet crematoriums
A proper state-of-the-art hospital and crematoriums for pets may soon be a reality in Mumbai as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to provide health and welfare facilities to the city’s four-legged population.
The civic body will soon be constructing a fivestorey hospital with advanced diagnostic facilities in place of the already existing municipal veterinary dispensary in Khar. This will include a lab for ‘zoonotic diseases’ or diseases that are spread between animals and humans like rabies, swine flu and bird flu. "While we are engrossed in urban practices like waste management and segregation, health and safety issues, we have also decided to bring the plan of pet crematoriums and hospitals into fruition," said Nidhi Choudhari, deputy municipal commissioner (special).
However, it has not been decided when the plan will become concrete. There is a provision for the same in BMC's 2018 budget as well. According to a 2012 survey, civic officials say, more than 40,598 families in the city have pets.
In addition, three animal crematoriums will be built and maintained by the BMC across the city. The facilities for cremation of both domestic and stray dogs and cats is expected to come up in Malad, Mahalaxmi and Deonar by the end of this year.
The corporation will ascertain the space to be alloted for the same, after which contracts will be floated for the construction of crematoriums.