Ahmedabad: Last month, a 55-day-old Maltipoo pup succumbed to parvovirus, leaving its owners devastated. “We were distraught and wanted a proper send-off,” said the owner, a Paldi resident who did not wish to be named. With no suitable place to bury the pup, the family opted for cremation — a choice they said was made easier by a new civic facility they described as a boon for pet owners. For many families, the loss of a pet is an intensely personal grief that often finds little space in public systems. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has formally opened a dedicated, CNG-fired crematorium for pet dogs to ensure they get a dignified farewell. The need for such a facility was underscored by the Contractor family who lost Rio, their 14-year-old indie. They were determined not to bury Rio in an unmarked area, fearing the remains could be dug up by stray animals. “Rio was part of the family, a child,” said his owner, Chitrang Contractor, an IT consultant. “We were satisfied with the way his final journey went at the civic crematorium. We were able to take him there ourselves and say our final goodbye,” Contractor said.The crematorium was set up by AMC’s cattle nuisance control department at the animal birth control centre on the sewage pumping station campus in Behrampura. Designed to meet health and environmental norms, the facility has a chamber large enough to cremate three dogs at a time and is equipped with both primary and secondary chambers to ensure odourless cremations. The fee for cremating one dog has been fixed at Rs 700.Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 30 lakh, the crematorium is part of a broader civic push to strengthen pet welfare infrastructure in the city. Officials said the initiative addresses concerns among pet owners regarding the lack of a proper, scientific way for disposing of animal remains. The project also aligns with the NAPRE’s programme, which focuses on public awareness, pet registration, access to treatment, free vaccination, care and protection of animals, and the scientific disposal of dead animals, including provisions for dignified last rites. To make the process humane and accessible, the facility offers CCTV-enabled systems that allow pet owners to witness the cremation remotely if they choose, along with air-conditioned seating for family members. A designated AMC van is dispatched upon calling the helpline, though families may also bring the body themselves. Those who prefer not to attend in person can watch the cremation via a live CCTV feed.
