Ahmedabad pet registration: AMC hikes fees by 900% to ₹2,000

Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has raised the registration fee for pet dogs to ₹2,000 per animal, a nearly 900% increase from the earlier fee of ₹200. The revised rates came into effect on October 1, making it mandatory for all dog owners in the city to register their pets.

According to AMC estimates, there are about 50,000 pet dogs in Ahmedabad, but as of September-end, only 18,596 have been registered. Corporation officials said notices will be issued to those who fail to comply, and house-to-house inspections will be carried out to identify unregistered pets.

Awareness after fatal Rottweiler attack

The rule was made compulsory under AMC’s 'Rabies-Free Ahmedabad City–2030' initiative, effective from January 1, 2024.

In May this year, a four-month-old baby died after being attacked by a Rottweiler in Radhe Residency, Ramol-Hathijan ward. The incident prompted AMC to intensify awareness programmes urging pet owners to register their animals, get vaccinations, and follow safety rules.

Some pet owners have questioned the logic of raising fees while urging higher compliance, noting that the steep hike could discourage registrations rather than increase them. Others see the steep hike less as an incentive and more as a form of punishment for owners who delayed registering their pets. With AMC already warning that fees will rise further after December 31, latecomers may find the cost of compliance even higher. 

Most registered pets are Labradors and German Shepherds

Among the 18,596 registrations so far, Labradors account for the highest share with 3,559 entries, followed by 1,359 German Shepherds. Other popular breeds include Shih Tzu (1,287), Golden Retriever (1,230), Pomeranian (888), Beagle (505), Siberian Husky (414), Rottweiler (326), and Pug (363). Another 654 registrations fall under the “other breeds” category. Notably, AMC’s registration system does not offer “Indie” or “Desi” as a separate option. 

Zone-wise registration numbers

The civic body has released a breakdown of registered pet dogs across zones: