Pune: PMC Approves Modern Gaushala, Fodder Bank and Rehabilitation Centre for Stray Animals
Pune, 27th August 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has approved a proposal to establish a modern shelter system for stray and free-roaming animals in the city, including the 34 villages recently incorporated into the civic limits.
The proposal, moved by PMC Standing Committee member Suhas Tingre, includes provisions for a modern cow shelter, veterinary hospital, fodder bank, vaccination facilities and a rehabilitation centre for animals. The proposal was approved at the civic body’s general body meeting held on Tuesday after receiving a favourable response from the concerned department.
Tingre has also urged the PMC to establish a 24-hour emergency veterinary ambulance and transportation system to ensure that injured and helpless animals receive timely medical treatment and can be safely shifted to shelters.
“Immediate assistance is available for lifting dead cattle, but municipal assistance is often not available on time when an injured animal needs treatment. This is unfortunate,” Tingre said.
He said the civic body needs to establish a permanent system that addresses both public safety concerns arising from stray animals and the protection, treatment and rehabilitation of the animals themselves.
According to Tingre, incidents involving stray animals can contribute to road accidents and pose safety concerns for citizens. At the same time, injured animals require immediate medical attention and safe transportation.
He also raised concerns about attacks on individuals involved in preventing animal trafficking. Tingre said several animal protectors had allegedly faced life-threatening attacks, with some losing their lives, and stressed that such situations should not lead individuals to take the law into their own hands.
Instead, he said, the administration should have an effective mechanism to intervene promptly in cases involving injured animals, animal trafficking and other related issues.
“The proposal has been approved. The responsibility now lies with the administration to ensure that the decision does not remain merely on paper and that the modern shelter and 24-hour emergency veterinary services are actually made operational,” Tingre said.
