Chennai, India — The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has issued 73,754 pet licences to dog and cat owners across the city as part of strengthened animal welfare regulations that include mandatory microchipping, vaccination and responsible ownership guidelines, civic officials said on Monday.
The licensing drive, launched in October 2025, required pet owners to register their animals on the GCC portal and implant a microchip before a deadline of December 7 to ensure traceability and better animal care. Owners failing to comply faced penalties of up to ₹5,000 under the updated rules.
According to GCC veterinary officials, the initiative gained strong traction ahead of the deadline but saw a dip in participation afterwards, with veterinary clinics such as Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary reporting a modest number of microchipping sessions in recent weeks. LF authorities continue offering free microchipping and licensing services at centres operating six days a week to encourage further compliance.
The revamped regulations, introduced amid concerns over public safety and pet-related incidents in previous years, also mandate leashes, up-to-date vaccinations and owner details linked to microchips, helping both authorities and owners manage animal welfare more effectively. GCC officials say the programme aims to foster responsible pet ownership and improve tracking of companion animals in urban spaces, news as reported.
