Ahmedabad's Pet Dog Registration Drive Falls Short Despite Campaign

Despite an aggressive year-long campaign and multiple deadline extensions, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has managed to register only about 55 percent of the estimated pet dogs in the city. While officials attribute the low numbers to lack of awareness among residents, data reveals a stark correlation between registration rates and a dramatic 10-fold increase in fees.

Registration Numbers Tell a Concerning Story

According to official data from the Cattle Nuisance Control Department (CNCD) of AMC, a total of 19,029 pet dogs have been registered against 16,726 owners as of January 22, 2026. This figure represents approximately half to 55 percent of the estimated 30,000-35,000 pet dogs within the municipal limits.

Naresh Rajput, Head of Department at CNCD, explained, "Our initial estimates suggested 50,000-60,000 pet dogs, but after surveys and consultations with veterinary professionals, we revised this to 30,000-35,000. Based on this, registration stands at nearly 55 percent."

The Fee Factor: From Rs 200 to Rs 2,000

The registration campaign, launched on January 1, 2025, has seen its deadline extended to March 31, 2026. However, this extension came with a significant financial burden for pet owners. The registration fee has been increased tenfold from the original Rs 200 to a substantial Rs 2,000.

The data clearly illustrates the impact of this fee hike:

Until May 31, 2025: Fee was Rs 200, resulting in 16,580 registrations (the highest period)
June 1 to July 31, 2025: Fee increased to Rs 500
Until September 30, 2025: Fee rose to Rs 1,000
Since October 1, 2025: Fee set at Rs 2,000, with only about 400 registrations recorded until January 22, 2026

While Rajput acknowledged that the increased fee "cannot be ruled out" as a reason for slow registrations, he emphasized that lack of awareness and willingness among residents, particularly in western parts of the city, remains a primary concern.

Awareness Campaigns and Enforcement Measures

The AMC has implemented multiple strategies to boost registration numbers:

Massive advertising campaigns across social media platforms
Utilization of LED screens throughout the city
Newspaper advertisements and public announcements
Establishment of help desks at pet clinics
Involvement of private veterinary doctors in the registration process

Additionally, the corporation announced that pet crematorium services would be restricted to owners with registered dogs. However, officials noted that this measure hasn't achieved its intended purpose, as many owners believe they can register their pets only when they need to avail such services.

Breed Preferences and Geographic Distribution

The registration data reveals interesting patterns about pet ownership in Ahmedabad:

Zone-wise Distribution

West Zone: Highest with 4,808 dogs registered by 4,213 owners
North West Zone: Second highest with 3,905 dogs by 3,404 owners
Central Zone: Lowest with only 761 dogs registered by 683 owners

The disparity in registration numbers across zones, particularly the low figures in central areas despite extensive awareness campaigns, suggests that factors beyond mere awareness may be at play. The significant fee increase appears to be creating a substantial barrier for many pet owners, potentially undermining the public health and safety objectives of the registration drive.

As the extended deadline of March 31, 2026 approaches, the AMC faces the challenge of balancing regulatory requirements with practical considerations of affordability for pet owners. The success of this initiative will depend on finding this equilibrium while ensuring responsible pet ownership across Ahmedabad.