Aiming for better management and welfare of stray dogs, Delhi University’s Kirori Mal College and StayPawsitive Trust on Sunday jointly launched a mobile application to document and monitor the canines in the city.
The digital tool will not only help in real-time tracking of the dog population but will also provide medical alerts and access to health records ensuring timely vaccination and treatments, according to a statement issued by the college.
Free vaccination camps were organised at the North Delhi college campus alongside the distribution of QR-coded digital ID collars. These collars enable instant scanning to check the dog’s health and vaccination status, creating what organisers described as a “safety net” for both animals and residents, it read.
Dinesh Khattar, college principal, called the partnership a reflection of the institution’s commitment to shouldering social responsibility. “By providing free vaccinations and digital collars, we are not only ensuring the health of the stray animals on our campus but also setting a precedent for a more humane and responsible community,” he said.
Run by the college’s eco-club ‘Bhoomi’, the project aims to promote empathy and compassion alongside academics, he added. According to the statement, the students from the eco club will lead app-based data collection, assist veterinary teams during on-campus vaccination drives, and run public awareness campaigns encouraging responsible interaction with stray animals.
Calling the project a blend of empathy with innovation, StayPawsitive Trust co-founder Kshipra Jha, said, “Delhi’s stray dogs are part of our shared ecosystem. This project brings technology and youth engagement together to create a safer environment for animals and residents alike,” she said.
During the launch, a live demonstration of the app and volunteer sign-ups were also held.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) directed its veterinary teams across all zones to identify designated feeding spots for stray dogs in compliance with the apex court’s order issued last month.
On August 22, the Supreme Court modified its earlier August 11 direction prohibiting the release of stray dogs from shelters in Delhi-NCR and said lifted canines should be sterilised, vaccinated, and returned to the same area.