In Mumbai, currently there is only one civic-run hospital for animals i.e. The Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). Soon, there will be a new hospital with 300-400 cabins dedicated to animals which will be built on the plot owned by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Sir Dorabji Tata Trust will initiate the construction on the basis of Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT).
The plot area is 3045.40 square metre and is located behind Arthur Road jail in Lower Parel. Currently, Welfare of Stray Dogs – Mumbai based organisation working to eradicate rabies and control the street-dog population in a humane, scientific way – owns a centre here. Sir Dorabji Tata Trust will be handling the new hospital for a period of 30 years.
Deonar Abattoir Manager, Dr Yogesh Shetye said that the trust will be building a five-storey hospital.
The BMC is not equipped with the latest technology when it comes to handling contagious diseases. Hence, we thought there should be a BMC-run hospital for animals which will be well-equipped with facilities," Shetye added.