With only 2 government veterinary facilities in Bengaluru, animal lovers say strays worst hit

BENGALURU: With only two govt veterinary hospitals available in the city, pet parents and animal activists are struggling to ensure timely treatment for injured and ill animals.
Currently, Hebbal Veterinary College and Hospital, and a 24/7 facility on Queen's Road are the only govt veterinary care facilities in the city. In Dec 2023, the state shut down 28 govt clinics in Bengaluru.
Many activists said lack of affordable veterinary care has disproportionately affected stray animals, as citizens are now forced to take them to private hospitals.
The closure of these clinics sparked protests and online petitions. A Change.org campaign titled "Withdraw Govt Order to shut down 28 Govt Vet Clinics in Bangalore" drew 500-plus signatories. The govt, however, did not relent, justifying the closure by citing a decline in the city's cattle population and the need to reallocate resources to rural areas.
"The govt shut down the veterinary clinics, leaving many without affordable care. Unlike those who can afford private hospitals, many people depend on these public facilities for their animals. A year has passed, yet none of these veterinary hospitals has reopened, and vets have been sent away," said Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, managing trustee of CJ Memorial Trust, which has been in the forefront of several animal welfare campaigns in the city.
A central Bengaluru resident who didn't want to be named said, "The spaces where the closed vet clinics were located, have been repurposed for other uses. The Queen's Veterinary Hospital staff quarters could have served as a diagnostic centre but has been demolished and is being turned into a silk showroom. This disregard for veterinary services and compassion for animals highlights the govt's apathy."
Vikas Suralkar Kishor, special commissioner (health and animal husbandry), BBMP told TOI, "In response to the growing demand for veterinary care, we have proposed setting up hospitals in six of our eight zones. While the state govt had plans to transfer some closed veterinary hospitals to BBMP, the move was challenged in the HC and remains in limbo. Despite this, BBMP has independently decided to establish veterinary clinics. The budget proposal for these hospitals is now approved and will be established in six zones."
Pramod Kumar S, 55, resident of Marathahalli:
"The worst affected are stray dogs. Many times, citizens don't help stray dogs in distress because private vet hospitals charge huge bills. As the govt clinics are affordable, stray dogs can be taken care of at those facilities, and in turn, more citizens will come forward to help animals."
Bharati Srivastava, 44, Whitefield resident:
"I have two pet dogs and I feed 15 stray dogs. There are about 2.7 lakh stray dogs and substantial number of other stray animals like cats and birds in the city. Since the vet clinics are few in number, medical care for stray animals becomes very costly for private citizens, and that is why many don't come forward to help the strays. For pets also, medical treatment becomes costly. Hence, people are avoiding adoptions. BBMP has announced the opening of vet clinics. Hope the plan is executed properly."
Rishav Satapatty, 42, BEML Layout resident and parent for three dogs & five cats:
"The govt must prioritise veterinary hospitals as lack of such facilities hampers timely and affordable treatment for animals. With accessible vet care, more citizens would alert volunteers about injured or ailing animals, fostering greater community involvement in reducing suffering and promoting coexistence. Currently, everything seems to be at a standstill, as private veterinary clinics remain unaffordable for many, impacting the well-being of community animals."