Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Allocation of space for pets’ burial hailed

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation’s proposal allocating space at the Moolakothalam and Mylapore crematoria for the burial of pets has been warmly welcomed by pet owners and animal welfare activists. “This has been one of my dreams,” said Devika Khazvini, who runs Cattitude, a trust that helps feed, sterilise and find care for stray and pet animals.

The proposal was put forward in the budget the Corporation recently presented and was praised by councillors during the budget discussion. Blue Cross of India has received several requests for space for burial, recalled S. Chinny Krishna, Chairman, Blue Cross of India. The organisation that provides shelter and care for distressed animals has been burying smaller animals on their premises. Large animals are taken to Kodungaiyur.

“The only other option currently before pet owners in flats is to bury their animals at the beach,” said Dr. Krishna. The Blue Cross had wanted to set up a crematorium for pets in the city but the proposal had been rejected by the Pollution Control Board that said it should be set up outside the city.

The SPCA has a crematorium in Mumbai but Chennai pet owners had no such options till now. Animal lover Vasanthi Rajiv lost a Labrador pet two weeks ago but was able to bury it in her backyard. “This proposal is a real boon. Especially for people living in apartments, having to deal with the disposal of the body amid the grief of losing a pet is heartbreaking,” she said.

“Only recently I was asking a friend to find someone to donate land for an animal cemetery,” said an overjoyed Ms. Khazvini.

“While the service is being offered free, most people would be willing to pay for the facility,” she said.

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