HYDERABAD: Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Blue Cross on Wednesday for a pilot project as part of which the animal welfare NGO will be taking care of catching, neutering, vaccinating and de-worming stray dogs in Madhapur division under West Zone of GHMC. There are an estimated 3,400 dogs in this division.
Every aspect of the project will be completely taken care of by Blue Cross, including financial requirements. GHMC will only be monitoring the project. It is for first time in Hyderabad that such a model is being tried out to take care of the stray dog issue.
When contacted, Zonal Commissioner of West Zone, GHMC, D Hari Chandana said, “Around 3,400 dogs in Madhapur division will be neutered by Blue Cross. The MoU will be for a span of one year and depending on the outcome, it will be decided whether to extend it or not. GHMC will be just monitoring and providing a medical centre for operation if the NGO asks for it. Everything else will be taken care of by Blue Cross with funds they receive through Corporate Social Responsibility.
The MoU has been signed with Blue Cross as it is an Animal Welfare Board of India recognised organisation.”Chandana further said, “This is for the first time that such a pilot project for animal birth control is being initiated in the city.” Video will be shot of operation involving neutering of dogs as evidence. GHMC and Blue Cross are also planning to keep a track on the dogs through geo-tagging.