Mon Feb 03 06:52:38 UTC 2025: ## Bengaluru’s Animal Welfare Crisis: Pet Owners Struggle Amidst Shortage of Veterinary Services

**Bengaluru, February 3, 2025** – Bengaluru’s booming population isn’t just impacting humans; the city’s burgeoning animal population is facing a severe crisis in veterinary care. The closure of 28 government veterinary hospitals in 2023, ostensibly to bolster rural services, has left pet owners and animal rescuers struggling to access affordable treatment.

While 20 government veterinary hospitals remain in the city, pet owners complain of inadequate facilities and a lack of specialized services. Larger hospitals like Hebbal Veterinary College and Hospital and the 24/7 facility on Queen’s Road lack modern equipment, forcing many to expensive private clinics. Even basic consultations in private hospitals cost upwards of ₹500, with tests and scans costing thousands.

The scarcity of government veterinary services is further exacerbated by a lack of easily accessible contact information. Phone numbers listed online for facilities like Hebbal Veterinary College and Hospital are often non-functional. Ajay Nagabhushana, Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, denies any service deficiency, citing relocation to rural areas based on animal population figures. This claim is disputed by animal activists who highlight the high demand and flourishing private sector.

The challenges extend beyond medical care. A shortage of animal ambulances, shelters, and crematoriums, coupled with a dysfunctional helpline (1962), further compounds the issue. Transportation remains a major hurdle, with pets barred from public transport and private transport services charging exorbitant fees. The two existing government animal ambulances operate only during limited hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Animal shelters, mostly run by private organizations and NGOs, are overflowing, leaving rescuers with nowhere to take injured or abandoned animals. This lack of adequate infrastructure is forcing animal activists to constantly grapple with insufficient resources for a city bursting at the seams with animals in need. The situation highlights the urgent need for increased government investment in animal welfare infrastructure and services within Bengaluru.

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