The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) council passed resolutions on Thursday stating that from November 24, owners of unlicensed pets must pay a fine of ₹5,000.
Additionally, those who take dogs without collars to public places will be fined ₹500.
As part of the new rules, micro-chipping and annual anti-rabies vaccinations were made mandatory for all pets. These services will be provided free of charge at six GCC-run pet treatment centres, including those at Pulianthope and Lloyds Colony, from October 8, 2025.
The resolution said mandatory licensing of pets has been enforced as stipulated by the Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998 (Rules 2023). Pet owners must submit their pet’s details and photographs online, and pay a ₹50 fee for obtaining the license.
To ensure these rules are enforced, house-to-house inspections will begin on November 24, with fines being collected by Corporation staff, the resolution added.
Digital platform
The GCC is also creating a digital platform to maintain the records of pets, track vaccinations, and manage fines over the next five years, the resolution said.
The GCC’s micro-chipping initiative includes procurement of 200,000 microchips and 80 Radio-Frequency Identification readers to streamline the tracking of pet ownership across the city. This is to create a detailed, easily accessible database for pet owners, ensuring a more efficient system for managing licenses and vaccinations.
A mobile app for dog catchers and a pet licensing portal will also be developed to ease field operations and improve public awareness on pet care, the GCC said.
Published – October 31, 2025 06:17 am IST
