Panvel Activists Urge PMC to Extend Animal Center Hours for Better Emergency Care
Animal welfare concerns are increasingly being addressed in communities, with a growing call for better services to protect and care for stray animals. In Panvel, animal activists are urging the Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) to extend the operating hours of the municipal animal center responsible for the Animal Birth Control (ABC) program, to better address the urgent needs of injured strays.
The request was made in a letter by local activists Seema Tank and Nilesh Bawaskar, who highlighted the growing need for emergency care services for stray animals. At present, the municipal-run animal center operates only until 4 or 5 PM, a schedule that leaves a significant gap in medical care for animals that require urgent attention after hours. “The limited hours of operation create serious challenges in providing timely medical help for stray animals found after closing time,” said Tank. “Volunteers and feeders often come across critically injured animals in the evening with no immediate option for treatment. The delay in medical intervention not only worsens their condition but also increases their suffering or, in some cases, leads to fatalities.”
In response to this issue, the activists have proposed extending the animal center’s hours until midnight, or ideally, making it a 24/7 facility. Such an extension, they argue, would bridge the gap left by private veterinary clinics, which often close early in the evening. The proposed 24-hour service would ensure that emergency cases, such as severely injured or sick animals, could receive immediate medical attention, improving the chances of recovery and preventing unnecessary suffering.
“By offering emergency care during the late hours, the municipal animal center could provide essential services when most clinics are closed,” said Bawaskar. “This could drastically reduce animal suffering and improve the health outcomes for stray animals who are often left to suffer without any form of medical assistance.” The Panvel Municipal Corporation has acknowledged receipt of the proposal, and officials have confirmed that the request is under review. “The corporation is considering the possible implications of extending the operating hours and is in the process of assessing how to move forward,” the activists reported. It remains to be seen if the Panvel Municipal Corporation will act swiftly on this request, which would demonstrate a strong commitment to animal welfare and respond to the needs of the community.
