Labradors Lead the Way as Chennai Sees a Rise in Pet Licensing

Chennai:  The Greater Chennai Corporation has issued 9,500 pet licences thus far, with nearly one in five going to Labrador retrievers. While thousands of pet owners are still unlicensed, early data suggests Labradors are the go-to breed for urban households, making them the city’s clear front-runners.

German Shepherds follow with 754 licences issued, trailed closely by Golden Retrievers (753) and Shih Tzus (538). Indian mongrels and other breeds make up a significant chunk, accounting for 3,145 licences overall.

This marks a sharp rise from just 1,232 licences issued by May 2024. In total, around 32,000 applications have been submitted, but more than 19,000 of them have been rejected, mostly due to missing details or outdated vaccination records.

There is no denying the improvement in awareness and the number of registrations in the city. The GCC itself estimates that the number of pet dogs in the city may exceed 100,000. 

Yogadinesh R, a golden retriever owner from Thiruvottiyur, said, “I wasn’t aware of the pet licence until I took my dog to the vet recently. I was told a KCI certificate is needed to apply, though I’m not sure if that’s true. The corporation should create more awareness and guide us on the application process.” A German Shepherd owner from Velachery said, “I’m aware of the pet licence and that it costs Rs 50 to apply online, but we haven’t applied for it yet.”

According to an activist based in the city, the civic body should focus on enforcement rather than waiting to act after a pet dog has already been involved in an incident or attack. “Obtaining a pet licence isn’t just about paperwork; it ensures dogs are vaccinated against rabies, as the application process mandates an anti-rabies vaccination (ARV) certificate. The GCC must enforce the rules strictly to ensure all pets are vaccinated and licenced, which is crucial to prevent rabies-related incidents and fatalities,” the activist said.

JGCC veterinary officer, Kamal Hussain, said “It is mandatory for all pet owners, including those who rescue strays and raise them at home, to obtain a pet licence. The GCC has already made pet licensing and microchipping of pet dogs compulsory to ensure all dogs are vaccinated and also to prevent abandonment. Microchipping will help us identify pet owners abandoning their pets and impose penalties. Although no fines are being levied yet, the penalty amount for not having a licence will be announced soon,” he continued.