Aadhar cards have become a very important document of identification for the citizens of India. However, in an unusual sight, 20 stray dogs outside Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport had individual identification cards that resembled "Aadhaar cards.” A QR code has been attached to their neckband. The QR code contains all the details like the dog’s name, contact details of their feeders, vaccination records, sterilization status, and medical history. This has been done to ensure the safety of the stray dogs and they can be tracked in case they get lost. The garlanding of the identity cards was done animatedly amid much excitement by a team. Akshay Ridlan, an engineer from Sion, is the brains behind the campaign. Led by Ridhan, his team made sure to vaccinate all the stray dogs and feed them. The initiative has been named ‘pawfriend.in’. If a pet is lost or is relocated, the QR code tag can help reunite it with its family. It can also help BMC maintain a centralized database of strays in Mumbai to facilitate better care. Bandra resident Sonia Shelar who feeds around 300 stray dogs daily, including those outside the airport, said her task was to get the dogs close while a vet from BMC administered the vaccine and a member form pawfriend put the tag. This way they tagged 20 stray dogs. Dr. Kalim Pathan, head of BMC’s Veterinary health service said, “The dogs were also vaccinated, a basic health check done and all the dogs we caught were sterilized. This is a pilot project and we will see how this can be taken forward.” BMC had also vaccinated the dogs outside terminal 1 of the Mumbai airport. It was earlier reported that the stray dogs outside T2 of Mumbai airport were being relocated and a video had surfaced where dogs were netted and taken away in a van recently. In this regard, a spokesperson of the airport said that they partnered in the initiative to ensure safety of passengers and the furry companions in the vicinity.

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• mumbai airport dogs aadhar

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