Bengal's first state-run pet crèche-clinic opens doors for canines of Kolkata

Kolkata: The first state-run clinic-cum-crèche for pet dogs was inaugurated in New Town on Friday. Expert caregivers will look after the canines at the pet care facility, which has been developed by New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA).

A dog show was organised at the inauguration of the crèche, which was attended by many dog lovers.

There are many large breed dogs such as Grate Dane, Tibetan Mastiff, English and French Mastiff, Labrador, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd Dog in New Town and Salt Lake areas.

Jaya Sengupta, a resident of Action Area I in New Town, who owns a Labrador, said: "We need a good crèche for our pets. It is difficult to travel with them and most of the hotels in India do not allow dogs and private crèches are not up to the mark and do not treat animals properly."

NKDA has specified charges for keeping dogs in the crèche and for visiting the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the clinic. One needs to pay Rs 150 for the OPD services and Rs 750 a day for keeping large breeds and Rs 500 a day for keeping small breeds of dogs at the crèche. These apart, pet owners will have to pay Rs 10,000 as a security deposit.

Apart from the clinic-cum-crèche, the development authority has come up with a cemetery for dogs where 25 animals can be buried. It becomes a major hassle for dog owners to get a suitable cemetery. The burial charge is Rs 2,500 and dog owner needs to submit a death certificate of the canine from a recognised veterinary doctor.