Pune to Implement Reflective Collars with Geotagged QR Codes for Canines

The veterinary department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is set to propose the use of reflective neck collars with geotagged QR codes for the city's canines, aiming to eliminate dog-mediated rabies. These innovative collars, containing unique IDs with details about the dog's breed, vaccination, sterilization status, and contact information of the feeders or owners, will be utilized for both pet and stray dogs.

Dr. Sarika Funde, chief veterinary officer of PMC, explained that during the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes, stray dogs are currently given neck belts and have their ears notched for identification post-vaccination and sterilization.

The new reflective belts will replace the regular ones and will feature QR code-enabled geotags. These codes, when scanned with a mobile QR code scanner or special cameras, will provide all relevant information about the stray dog. Discussions with private firms are already underway to develop mobile-compatible software for this purpose.

Pet parents will receive these neck belts during the registration or renewal of pet dog licenses. The geotag will also assist in tracking the location of any missing pets.

Dr. Funde noted that a proposal for these reflective collars with geotagged QR codes will soon be presented to the municipal commissioner of PMC. Upon approval, the initiative will commence in the city.

Previously, PMC had considered implanting microchips in stray dogs but temporarily shelved the plan due to financial constraints. The reflective collars with geotagged QR codes are seen as a more cost-effective solution. According to the latest stray dog population census conducted by the civic body in May 2023, there are an estimated 179,940 stray canines within PMC limits.