Delhi government announced a sweeping pet and stray animal management policy, under which 10 lakh dogs will be microchipped over the next two years. The initiative, backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will also introduce digital vaccination records for pets to ensure traceability and accountability.
Labour Minister Kapil Mishra said the focus would be on rabies prevention and animal welfare, marking a significant step towards better urban animal management.
The new rules mandate compulsory registration for all pet shops and breeding centres. Pet owners will be required to provide proof of microchipping along with details of anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) at the time of licensing.
Those who fail to comply will face a penalty of Rs 3,000, effective from next month. Officials said this system will help regulate pet ownership practices and ensure responsible breeding.
In line with the Supreme Court’s recent directive urging action against the dog-bite menace, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has been tasked with creating designated stray dog feeding points.
MCD Standing Committee chairperson Satya Sharma announced that three to four feeding zones will be identified in each ward in consultation with local councillors. “Unregulated feeding leads to the formation of dog packs, which increases the risk of conflicts and dog bites. Organised feeding will bring discipline and reduce such incidents,” Sharma said.
Officials have been directed to submit an action report within a week, and residents, councillors, and NGOs have been urged to cooperate with the civic body in the initiative.
The plan also puts emphasis on strengthening sterilisation and vaccination drives at ABC centres across Delhi. A sub-committee has been formed to chalk out strategies for controlling the stray dog population while preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases such as rabies.
Additionally, the government has promised to expand gaushalas (cattle shelters) and ensure an uninterrupted supply of rabies vaccines in both public and private veterinary centres.
The move comes just weeks after Chennai introduced similar regulations to manage its rising dog population and reduce dog-bite cases. By adopting the microchipping and licensing model, Delhi hopes to become a model city in pet and stray animal management.
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