A pack of indie dogs outside the Mumbai airport have received their individual Aadhar cards with QR codes. The identification cards were provided to the dogs by a team of regular feeders. The device has been designed by an engineer Akshay Ridlan, through an initiative named ‘pawfriend.in.’
These ID cards have been attached to the dogs’ collars and the QR codes carry all their information – name, feeder’s contact, vaccination details, sterilisation information, whether the dog has been relocated, etc.
Dr. Kalim Pathan, head of the BMC’s (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) veterinary health services, stated that the QR code tagging is a part of a pilot project they have initiated and, based on the results, will be taken forward to other areas. The QR code tagging can help in tracking down the dog’s family, if lost or relocated. Additionally, this database will also help BMC account for all the strays in the city.
BMC also took the initiative to vaccinate dogs outside Terminal I of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Amongst the regular feeders, Sonia Shelar, who feeds around 300 indie dogs every day, including the ones outside the airport, helped by bringing the dogs closer to the vet (appointed by BMC) to get them vaccinated.
Image source: The Economic Times, India Today