In Ahmedabad, India, an innovative plan is quietly brewing to improve the management efficiency and welfare level of stray and pet dogs in the city through modern technology. It is estimated that Ahmedabad has about 200,000 dogs (including free-roaming stray dogs and pet dogs in human households). In order to more effectively manage these dogs, ensure their health and welfare while maintaining public safety, the Municipal Corporation (AMC) is considering adopting a new proposal. The proposal was submitted to the AMC Standing Committee by the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD), and its core is to expand the city's animal registration program to include dogs.
Similar to the existing cattle registration, the new dog registration program will use advanced radio frequency identification (RFID) microchips and visual ear tag technology to identify and track dogs. The two-year project is expected to cost 18 million Indian rupees, about 1.728 million yuan, and will be implemented by BizOrbit Technology.
The injected RFID microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the dog’s subcutaneous tissue. Each microchip stores a unique 15-digit identification number that can be read by a special RFID scanner. When the dog is scanned, the microchip transmits its ID number, which is linked to a registration database containing details of the dog and its owner. Since the microchip does not require battery power, it remains functional throughout the dog’s life and is only activated when scanned by an electromagnetic field.
In addition to the RFID microchip, the proposal also introduces visual ear tags as another method of identification. These ear tags are attached to the dog’s ear and have a visible ID number printed on them. The tags can also be color-coded to indicate the dog’s vaccination or sterilization status, as well as the region and year of the tag. While ear tags are easier to see and identify without a scanning device, they are also more susceptible to damage or loss. The proposal is in line with the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 and the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which emphasize the importance of proper identification of dogs.
According to the ABC rules, identification tags are essential for tracking sterilized and vaccinated dogs, ensuring their health and monitoring future vaccination requirements. In addition, the rules prohibit the rehoming of stray dogs and emphasize that sterilization and vaccination are the only legal methods to control the stray dog population. If the AMC's proposal is approved, the new identification system will help identify and track stray and pet dogs more effectively across the city.
This will bring many benefits to animal management and welfare, including easier identification of stray dogs, ensuring their timely vaccination and tracking of sterilization, and helping authorities monitor dog-related health issues. In addition, this move will also provide greater peace of mind to pet owners as they can more easily find their lost pets through microchips.
By implementing this initiative, the city of Ahmedabad is moving towards establishing a modern, efficient and humane animal identification system. This is not only a step forward in achieving the goals of the Animal Birth Control Rules, but also reflects the city's commitment to improving animal welfare standards and ensuring a safer environment for animals and residents. With the introduction of the right identification system, authorities will be able to more effectively deal with issues related to stray dogs, including health and population control, thereby promoting the development of a more organized and effective approach to animal management.
