Chennai, 17 December (H.S.) : Pet owners in Chennai have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) following the imposition of fines for delays in pet registration and microchipping. Many residents reported that while they had completed the online registration process, they were still penalized with fines of 500 rupees per pet because they had not yet obtained a physical license.

The frustration is compounded by technical glitches in the corporation’s online portal and a lack of clear communication regarding the timeline for mandatory microchipping, which has left many owners struggling to comply with the new regulations.

The controversy centers on the GCC’s recent drive to enforce stricter pet ownership rules, which includes the mandatory insertion of microchips for identification. Owners have slammed the civic body for its perceived shortcomings, arguing that the infrastructure to support these mandates is inadequate.

Reports indicate that many veterinary clinics lack a sufficient supply of microchips, and the official registration system frequently fails to process applications or issue digital certificates. Pet lovers and activists argue that the corporation is focusing on penalizing citizens rather than fixing the systemic flaws that make compliance difficult for the average resident.

In response to the growing outcry, animal welfare advocates have urged the GCC to provide a grace period and streamline the licensing process before enforcing heavy fines. They highlight that the current approach feels more like a revenue-generating exercise than a genuine effort to promote animal welfare or responsible pet ownership.

As the tension between the civic body and pet owners continues to escalate, there are calls for the GCC to hold consultative meetings with stakeholders to address the logistical hurdles and technical failures that have hindered the successful implementation of the microchipping policy.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary