PUDUCHERRY: Dogs in this former French enclave will soon have their digital identity. When a proposal by the Puducherry municipality rolls out,
over 30,000 pet and stray dogs in union territory will carry a unique identification number on microchip, the size of a rice grain, embedded under their skin.
While a few orgainsations like the Kennel Club of India (KCI) have introduced microchip in pets, mostly to ensure pedigree, Puducherry municipality’s move would help monitor the health and vaccination schedules of both pets and strays.
The digital identification will replace the conventional and cumbersome procedure of issuing collar straps and metal batches while granting licenses for pet animals and also prove a clincher while settling ownership disputes. With the unique identification number, the municipal staff will also maintain an ‘external’ record (in a computer) of the dog’s medical history, particularly details of the anti-rabies vaccinations administered to the animal.

