Panaji: Pet owners in Panaji may soon have to mandatorily register their pet dogs with the municipality as authorities are currently preparing a proposal for a platform to ensure that all pet dogs in the state capital and their vaccination status are officially recorded. The proposal for this platform is still in the planning stage, and the registration drive will initially cover pet dogs only, with no immediate plans to include other pet species.“Technology can play an important role in making civic services more accessible and efficient. Exploring innovative solutions such as these is another step towards building a city that is not only smarter, but also more compassionate towards the wellbeing of its animals,” said mayor Rohit Monserrate.The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) recently reviewed a demonstration of a possible registration system as part of its preliminary discussions. The proposal, once finalised and approved, is expected to establish a structured database of pet dogs within the city limits and their vaccination details.“The platform also has the potential to streamline pet registration, encourage responsible ownership, and support better coordination in matters related to pet welfare,” Monserrate said.The proposed application is intended to provide a simple digital registration process for pet owners.Under the concept presented, owners would upload a photograph of their dog, enter details such as vaccination status, sterilisation status, and owner information, including contact details. The application would also automatically capture the location where the photograph was taken through GPS.The registration database would enable authorities to maintain records of owned dogs across the city while helping municipalities monitor vaccination and sterilisation status.Sources said that the proposal also envisions linking registration with incentives, including sterilisation and subsidised anti-rabies vaccinations through animal welfare NGOs.“The data would help address issues related to unwanted litter and pet abandonment which originate from unsterilised pet dogs,” sources said.
