Pune:The civic body has designated 88 spots as of now to feed stray dogs across city limits. Civic officials claimed the identification process of these spots was carried out with the assistance of animal lovers. The move has been met with appreciation by some citizens, while others said PMC has not been consistent during the process.The administration cited 2025 directives of the Supreme Court to set up dedicated locations for feeding stray dogs. In this vein, an appeal was issued by Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last year for animal lovers to suggest feeding spots. PMC veterinary department head Sarika Funde said, “We are receiving many reponses regarding these spots. A PMC team visits each location to check its feasibility before approving it.” She added that instructions have also been given to maintain cleanliness at these spots. Civic officials said after they issued the appeal to find feeding spots, they received around 25-odd responses a month via social media, email and in person. The responses were categorised by area to reduce overlaps.Commenting positively on the step, Kothrud resident Sonali Kulkarni said, “The designated spots are good. They help in better managementof the service of offering food to animals. Temporary water tanks can also be created at these spots.” However Nisha Monteiro, a senior animal activist and feeder from NIBM Road, pointed to several lacunae. She said, “I have not applied for a designated feeding point as the SC has already clarified such spots cannot be established along roadsides. Community animals belong to the streets lined with housing complexes or shops. Many of us have been feeding them responsibly for years without formal feeding zones. Some feeders choose quiet corners with little footfall to avoid inconvenience, especially when societies refuse to allow feeding within their premises, and busy commercial areas draw unwanted attention and create problems.” She added, “Meanwhile, a few people have applied to PMC for official feeding spaces and are still awaiting a response. One person who feeds community dogs at 4am applied for an official feeding spot, but civic staff told her that since she is doing it at a time when there is barely any foot traffic, she can carry on without establishing an official spot.”PMC officials also said they have been appealing to housing societies since 2021 to designate space for feeding spots for strays on their premises, but a mere 56 societies have submitted details for the same in half a decade.(With inputs from Anjali Jhangiani)
