GCC Opens Rs 7.87-Crore Dog Sterilisation Centre, Vet Hospital In Chennai
Nandambakkam Facility To Help Boost Stray Dog Sterilisation Capacity To 350-400 Surgeries A Day
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Saturday inaugurated a new dog sterilisation centre and veterinary hospital at Nandambakkam in Alandur Zone, built at a cost of Rs 7.87 crore, as part of efforts to control the city’s stray dog population.
Alandur MLA M. Harish inaugurated the facility on MGR Road in Ward 158 and inspected the premises. The facility has been constructed over 1,408 sq m using the Corporation’s capital funds.
The ground and first floors house a veterinary hospital for pets, administrative and doctors’ rooms, a pharmacy, laboratory, recovery and observation rooms, a waiting area, storage facilities and other support infrastructure. The facility also includes two operation theatres, a sterilisation unit, changing room, washing area and rooms for veterinary officials and medical staff.
The Corporation currently conducts sterilisation surgeries on around 200 stray dogs a day. With the opening of the Nandambakkam centre and completion of three other facilities under construction, the GCC aims to increase its capacity to around 350-400 surgeries a day.
The Corporation currently operates 11 Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres across the city, including those at Pulianthope, Lloyds Colony, Kannammapet, Meenambakkam, Sholinganallur, Manali, Tiruvottiyur, Madhavaram, Tondiarpet and Kannappar Thidal.
Three additional ABC centres are under construction at Athipattu, Velachery and the Bio-CNG plant area in Sholinganallur.
The Perungudi ABC centre is currently being used as a temporary shelter for dogs affected by diseases. Shelters to accommodate 250 diseased dogs each are also being constructed at Manali and Perungudi.
The GCC has also established pet treatment centres at Thiru.Vi.Ka. Nagar, Nungambakkam, Kannammapet, Meenambakkam, Pulianthope and Lloyds Colony.
As part of its broader strategy to control the stray dog population and prevent rabies, the Corporation plans to ensure that all stray dogs and pets are vaccinated against the disease. It also aims to expedite the issuance of licences for pet owners.
After inaugurating the facility, Harish inspected the modern cattle shelter in the area and advised officials to ensure proper cleanliness and maintenance.