Thanks to NKDA, city to get its first state-run dog crèche
Kolkata: New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) will open the first state-run crèche cum clinic and cemetery for pet dogs at Action Area III in New Town on February 1. There will be a dog show at the inaugural function.
The clinic will remain open from 11 am to 2 pm from Monday to Saturday. The service provided by NKDA assumes significance as the need for the same has grown all over the city, including New Town and Salt Lake, over the years. There are large breeds like Great Dane, French Mastiff, English Mastiff, Afghan Hound, St. Bernard and Tibetan Mastiff, in addition to Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs in Kolkata and its adjoining areas. Dog shows are attracting more and more people nowadays as well.
The fees for visiting the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the clinic will be Rs 150. For keeping pet dogs at the crèche, charges will be Rs 750 per day for large breeds and Rs 500 per day for small breeds. The owners will have to pay Rs 10,000 as security deposit.
All the deposits will have to be paid in advance and the owner will have to deposit a certificate from a doctor stating that the dog does not carry any infectious disease. Copies of the documents of last vaccination and details of the regular medicines will have to be submitted as well.
The owners will have to deposit the regular medicines for the period of stay in the crèche. Only medicines during emergency will be supplied by the authority. The cost of such treatment will be deposited from the security deposit. There will be experienced vets, care guides and handlers at the crèche.
There will also be a cemetery where 25 pet dogs can be buried. It becomes a major hassle for owners to get a suitable cemetery for their beloved pets. The burial charge will be Rs 2,500 and the owner of the dog will have to submit a death certificate of the canine from a recognised veterinary doctor.
Dog lovers all over Kolkata have welcomed the move of NKDA. They said that there should be some good crèches for pet dogs in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area as well.
