Pune: PMC Microchips Over 1,500 Stray Dogs In Latest Drive
Pune: PMC Microchips Over 1,500 Stray Dogs In Latest Drive
Pune, July 13: As part of its goal to make Pune rabies-free by 2030, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has implanted microchips in more than 1.36 lakh stray dogs over the past two-and-a-half years. The initiative aims to improve dog identification, vaccination tracking and population management using technology.
According to data shared by the PMC Veterinary Department, the civic body has microchipped:
66,537 dogs in 2024–25
61,454 dogs in 2025–26
12,320 dogs between January and June 2026
This brings the total number of microchipped stray dogs to 1,40,311. (The figures published by PMC add up to 1,40,311, although the reported total in the table appears inconsistent.)
The microchipping drive is being carried out under the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Programme. Dogs captured for sterilisation are implanted with a microchip before being released back to the location where they were found.
Earlier, sterilised dogs were identified by clipping a portion of one ear. However, PMC officials said the use of microchips has eliminated the need for ear-notching while providing a more reliable method of identification.
The microchip, which is implanted beneath the dog’s skin, can be scanned from a distance of 15 to 20 centimetres using a handheld scanner. The chip contains information such as the dog’s sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination status, enabling veterinary teams to quickly verify its medical history.
PMC officials said the technology-driven initiative is expected to strengthen rabies control efforts while improving the management and welfare of the city’s stray dog population.
